The Core i7-3970X is the comparison's loser – it's at least 2x slower gaming CPU than the Core i5-9400 and it's also a much worse value for money, as it's $75.01 more expensive!
Advantages of the Core i7-3970X
- Can execute more multi-threaded tasks simultaneously – 12 vs 6 threads
Advantages of the Core i5-9400
- At least 2x faster CPU for gaming
- Up to 43% cheaper – $99.99 vs $175.00
- A much better value for money for gaming
- Consumes up to 57% less energy – 65 vs 150 Watts
- Can run games without a dedicated GPU as it has integrated graphics
Core i7-3970X vs Core i5-9400 for Gaming
The CPU's performance in selected game and settings
Core i5-9400
Oct 19th, 2018
Average FPS
205
100%
Min 1% FPS
143
100%
Price, $
$99.99
100%
Value, $/FPS
$0.48/FPS
100%
Core i7-3970X vs Core i5-9400 in My Games
The FPS you'll get in saved games, click on a game to change it
The FPS you'll get in saved games, click on a game to change it
Very High
1920x1080
+2
Average FPS
Average FPS
Very High
1920x1080
Average FPS
Average FPS
High
1920x1080
+1
Average FPS
Average FPS
Ultra
1920x1080
+2
Average FPS
Average FPS
Epic
1920x1080
+4
Average FPS
Average FPS
Add a Game
Select Settings
Synthetic Benchmarks
The Core i7-3970X vs Core i5-9400 in synthetic CPU benchmarks
Performance Specifications
The Core i7-3970X vs Core i5-9400 in core CPU performance specifications
Core i7-3970X
Nov 1st, 2012
Cores
6-core
100%
L3 Cache
15 MB
100%
Base Frequency
3.5 GHz
100%
Turbo Frequency
4 GHz
98%
Max. DDR3 RAM Speed
1600 MHz
60%
Core i5-9400
Oct 19th, 2018
Cores
6-core
100%
L3 Cache
9 MB
60%
Base Frequency
2.9 GHz
83%
Turbo Frequency
4.1 GHz
100%
Max. DDR4 RAM Speed
2666 MHz
100%
Specifications
Comparison of all specifications
Core i7-3970X | SpecificationsComparison of all specifications | Core i5-9400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Nov 1st, 2012 | Release Date | Oct 19th, 2018 |
| $990.00 | MSRP | Not Available |
Desktop | Segment | Desktop |
| Intel Socket 2011 | Socket | Intel Socket 1151 |
| Sandy Bridge-E | Codename | Coffee Lake |
| 150 W | Power Consumption | 65 W |
| Performance | ||
| 6 | Cores | 6 |
12 | Threads | 6 |
3.5 GHz | Base Frequency | 2.9 GHz |
| 4.0 GHz | Turbo Frequency | 4.1 GHz |
15 MB | L3 Cache | 9 MB |
| Other Features | ||
| DDR3 @ 1600 MHz | RAM | DDR4 @ 2666 MHz |
| No | Integrated Graphics | UHD 630 |
Yes | Overclockable | No |
