Intel Core i7-990X vs Intel Core i5-9400F

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-990X or Intel Core i7-990X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-990X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-990X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1366 socket.
The Intel Core i5-9400F features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 6 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2019 and belongs to the 9 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-9400F, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1151-2 socket.
Intel Core i7 900 Group Intel Core i 9000
1 Generation 9
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-990X Name Intel Core i5-9400F
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i5
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-990X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-990X is 3.46 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.73 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i5-9400F has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 6 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-9400F is 2.9 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.1 GHz.
12 Threads 6
6x Cores 6x
6 CPU Cores 6
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading No
Yes Overclocking No
3.73 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.1 GHz
3.46 GHz Frequency 2.9 GHz
None None 3.9 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-990X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i5-9400F does not have integrated graphics.
-- Shaders --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- VP8 --
-- VC-1 --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- AVC --
-- h264 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 24.0 GB distributed across 3 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
No AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1066 Memory type DDR4-2666
No ECC No
24.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
3 Memory channels 2
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 42.7 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 65 W watts.
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 65 W
-- Tjunction max 100 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-990X is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-9400F is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 9.0 MB cache.
Q1/2011 Release date Q1/2019
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
32 nm Technology 14 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
1059 $ Release price 157 $
Gulftown Architecture Coffee Lake S Refresh
12.0 MB L3-Cache 9.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 1366 Socket LGA 1151-2
1.5 MB L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-9400F
6C 6T @ 2.9 GHz
5164
5164
Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
3247
3247

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-9400F
6C 6T @ 2.9 GHz
4722
4722
Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
3765
3765

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-9400F
6C 6T @ 2.9 GHz
2550
2550
Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
2460
2460

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-9400F
6C 6T @ 2.9 GHz
1346
1346
Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
660
660

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-9400F
6C 6T @ 2.9 GHz
1085
1085
Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
639
639