Intel Core i5-11400 vs Intel Core i9-9900KF

The Intel Core i9-9900KF is the faster processor, scoring 40/100 on our gaming benchmark versus 38/100 for the Intel Core i5-11400 — roughly 5% faster. That said, the gap is small, so the cheaper option is often the smarter buy.

Intel

Intel Core i5-11400

38
Gaming score / 100
Check Intel Core i5-11400 price

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Winner

Intel Core i9-9900KF

40
Gaming score / 100
Check Intel Core i9-9900KF price

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Specs compared

SpecIntel Core i5-11400Intel Core i9-9900KF
Gaming score38/10040/100
Cores / Threads6 / 128 / 16
Boost clock4.40 GHz5.00 GHz
TDP65 W95 W
SocketLGA1200LGA1151
MSRP$139.00$149.00

Intel Core i5-11400 vs Intel Core i9-9900KF: which should you buy?

The Intel Core i9-9900KF is the faster processor, scoring 40/100 on our gaming benchmark versus 38/100 for the Intel Core i5-11400 — roughly 5% faster. That said, the gap is small, so the cheaper option is often the smarter buy. For your specific games and resolution, run both through our comparison tool, check pairing with the bottleneck calculator, or see where each lands on the tier list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Intel Core i5-11400 better than the Intel Core i9-9900KF?
The Intel Core i9-9900KF is faster for gaming, scoring 40/100 versus 38/100 for the Intel Core i5-11400 (about 5% faster).

Should I buy the Intel Core i5-11400 or the Intel Core i9-9900KF?
For raw gaming performance, choose the Intel Core i9-9900KF. If it costs notably more for only a small gain, the Intel Core i5-11400 can be the better value. Check current prices before deciding.

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