Intel Core i7-4790 vs Intel Core i5-8400

Intel Core i7-4790 and Intel Core i5-8400 Compared The Intel Core i7-4790 (Haswell S), manufactured in 2014 using the 22 nm process, offers 4 cores, 8 threads, 8 MB Level 3 cache, and Intel HD Graphics 4600.

It supports PCIe 3.0 and 26 GB/s memory bandwidth and was designed for demanding desktop applications. The Intel Core i5-8400 (Coffee Lake S), introduced in 2017, utilizes the 14 nm manufacturing process. It features 6 cores, 6 threads, 9 MB Level 3 cache, and Intel UHD Graphics 630.

Its 43 GB/s memory bandwidth via PCIe 3.0 enables higher data rates. In terms of performance, the Intel Core i5-8400 significantly surpasses the Intel Core i7-4790 in single-core performance (Cinebench R23, Cinebench 2024) and also shows advantages in multi-core performance (Geekbench 6, Cinebench 2024) due to its newer architecture.

For gaming scenarios, the Intel Core i5-8400 is the more advantageous choice due to its better single-core performance and more modern architecture. The Intel Core i5-8400 is more energy-efficient with a 65 Watt TDP than the Intel Core i7-4790 (84 Watt). Both are available used; the i5-8400 often offers a better price-performance ratio.

For better gaming performance, energy efficiency, and a more modern platform, the Intel Core i5-8400 is preferable. For older systems with a focus on multitasking, the Intel Core i7-4790 remains an option.