9th Gen Intel Core i5 9400F
- Boost/Base Clock:
- 4.1 GHz / 2.9 GHz
- Core/Thread Count:
- 6 Core / 6 Thread
- Cache:
- 9MB L3 + 1.5MB L2 + 384KB L1
- TDP:
- 65 Watts
- CPU Process Node:
- 14 Nanometers
- CPU Socket:
- LGA 1151
- CPU Series:
- Coffee Lake
- Memory Support:
- DDR4-2666
- Form Factor:
- Desktop
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Manufacturer: Intel Last updated: September 9, 2026
9th Gen Intel Core i5 9400F Review
The 9th Gen Intel Core i5 9400F is the F-suffix variant of the non-K i5-9400, a 6-core desktop processor without integrated graphics, running a 2.9 GHz base clock that boosts to 4.1 GHz within an efficient 65 Watt TDP.
As one of the most widely recommended budget gaming CPUs of its generation, this chip's genuine 6-core layout at an accessible F-suffix price made it a favorite pairing with mid-range discrete GPUs.
Integrated Graphics
This F-suffix variant ships without a functional integrated GPU; a discrete graphics card is required for display output, in exchange for a lower price than the standard i5-9400.
How Is the Core i5 9400F in Terms of Performance
The 6-core layout at an efficient 65W TDP gives this chip genuinely strong budget gaming performance, a widely recommended pairing with mid-range discrete GPUs throughout its generation.
Benchmarks
Cinebench R20 single-core scores of 422 reflect solid per-core performance for a budget 6-core chip, a key reason this processor earned a strong reputation as a budget gaming value pick.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| Product Line | Core i5 |
| Product Line | Core i5 |
| Model Number | 9400F |
| Codename | Coffee Lake |
| Release Year | 2019 |
Segment and platform
| Market Segment | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Microarchitecture | Coffee Lake, 9th Gen Intel Core |
| Socket | LGA 1151 |
| Socket Status | End of Life |
| Process Node | 14 nm |
| Process Node | 14 nm |
Core configuration
| Performance Cores | 6 |
|---|---|
| Efficiency Cores | 0 |
| SMT Enabled | No |
Clock speeds
| P-Core Base Clock | 2.9 GHz |
|---|---|
| P-Core Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB |
|---|---|
| L3 Cache | 9 MB |
Power and thermal
| Base Power | 65 W |
|---|---|
| Max Turbo Power | 65 W |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR4-2666 |
|---|---|
| Memory Type | DDR4 |
| Max Memory Speed | 2666 MT/s |
| Memory Channels | 2 |
| ECC Support | No |
Graphics and AI
| Integrated Graphics | No |
|---|---|
| Copilot Plus Certified | No |
Expansion
| PCIe Generation | 3.0 |
|---|---|
| PCIe Lanes | 16 |
Commercial
| Launch MSRP | 167 USD |
|---|---|
| Retail Availability | Retail |
| Form Factor | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Core/Thread Count | 6 Core / 6 Thread |
| TDP | 65 W |
| Cache | 9MB L3 + 1.5MB L2 + 384KB L1 |
| Boost/Base Clock | 4.1 GHz / 2.9 GHz |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Best for
- Budget gaming desktop builds wanting genuine 6-core performance at an accessible F-suffix price
Not for
- Buyers wanting integrated graphics or needing hyperthreading for lightly multi-threaded work
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the 9th Gen Intel Core i5 9400F?
The 9th Gen Intel Core i5 9400F is a processor from Intel. Key specs: Boost/Base Clock 4.1 GHz / 2.9 GHz, Core/Thread Count 6 Core / 6 Thread, Cache 9MB L3 + 1.5MB L2 + 384KB L1, TDP 65 Watts, CPU Process Node 14 Nanometers.
Will the 9th Gen Intel Core i5 9400F work with my current setup?
The 9th Gen Intel Core i5 9400F lists CPU Socket is LGA 1151. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the 9th Gen Intel Core i5 9400F best suited to?
It suits budget gaming desktop builds wanting genuine 6-core performance at an accessible f-suffix price.
What are the drawbacks of the 9th Gen Intel Core i5 9400F?
It is a poor fit for buyers wanting integrated graphics or needing hyperthreading for lightly multi-threaded work.