Intel Core i5-11400

Intel Core i5-11400

Intel Core i5-11400 in 2025: Is it worth getting a processor from the previous generation?

An up-to-date review for budget builds and upgrades


Key Features: Architecture and Performance

The Intel Core i5-11400 processor, released in 2021, remains a popular choice for budget PCs. Despite its age, its specifications still look balanced even in 2025:

- Architecture: Rocket Lake-S (hybrid structure with PCIe 4.0 support).

- Manufacturing Process: 14 nm (Intel has already moved to 7 nm in new generations, but this is not critical for basic tasks).

- Cores and Threads: 6 cores, 12 threads. Base frequency — 2.6 GHz, turbo mode up to 4.4 GHz.

- Cache: 12 MB L3.

- TDP: 65 W (energy efficiency is one of its key advantages).

- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 730 (suitable for office tasks and less demanding games).

Performance:

- In Geekbench 6 (2025), the processor scores 1915 points in single-core and 7552 points in multi-core tests. This performance level is sufficient for comfortable work in Photoshop, 3D modeling, and gaming at medium settings (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077 offers stable 50-60 FPS at Full HD when using a graphics card like the RTX 3060).

Key Features:

- Support for PCIe 4.0 (but only for SSDs and graphics cards if the motherboard has the corresponding chipset).

- Technologies like Intel Quick Sync Video (video rendering acceleration) and Deep Learning Boost (AI task optimization).


Compatible Motherboards: Sockets and Chipsets

The processor uses the LGA 1200 socket, which limits motherboard options to models from 2020-2021. In 2025, new LGA 1200 motherboards are no longer produced, but you can still find:

- Budget Options: Motherboards with H510 chipset (from $80) — for example, ASRock H510M-HDV. Suitable for office PCs, but they do not support memory overclocking beyond 2666 MHz.

- Optimal Choice: B560 (from $100) — MSI B560M PRO-VDH. Here you get PCIe 4.0, RAM overclocking up to 3200 MHz, and improved power supply for the processor.

- For Enthusiasts: Z590 (from $150) — Gigabyte Z590 AORUS ELITE. Overclocking support, 2 PCIe 4.0 slots, and an 8-layer PCB for stability.

Tip: Avoid H410 chipsets — they do not support PCIe 4.0 and XMP profiles for memory.


Supported Memory: DDR4 as the Standard

The i5-11400 only works with DDR4 (maximum 3200 MHz in XMP mode). By 2025, DDR4 has already been surpassed by DDR5 in bandwidth but remains cheaper:

- 16 GB DDR4-3200 — starts at $45 (for example, Kingston Fury Beast).

- For gaming, 16 GB is sufficient; for video editing, 32 GB is recommended.

Important: Inexpensive motherboards on H510 limit memory frequency to 2666 MHz. If you want to get the most out of your RAM, choose B560/Z590.


Power Supply: Power Calculation

With a TDP of 65 W, the processor does not require a powerful PSU, but when connecting a discrete graphics card, it's important to consider the overall power consumption:

- Integrated Graphics: PSU of 300-400 W (for example, be quiet! Pure Power 11 400W).

- With a graphics card like RTX 4060: PSU of 500-600 W (Corsair CX650M, $70).

- Tip: Don’t skimp on the power supply. Cheap models (like Apevia) may operate unstably under load.


Pros and Cons of i5-11400 in 2025

Advantages:

1. Price: New processors are rarely available, but leftovers can be found for $150-170.

2. Energy Efficiency: Even under load, consumes less than 100 W.

3. Integrated Graphics: Useful if your graphics card fails.

Disadvantages:

1. Outdated Manufacturing Process: 14 nm vs 7-5 nm found in Ryzen 7000/8000.

2. No Support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0.

3. Limited Upgrade Potential: LGA 1200 socket is incompatible with newer Intel generations.


Use Cases: Where the Processor is Relevant

1. Gaming: Paired with RTX 3060/4060, it delivers 60+ FPS in Full HD (example: Elden Ring on high settings).

2. Office and Multimedia: Streaming 4K, working with documents, Zoom conferences.

3. Rendering: In Blender or Premiere Pro, rendering a medium-difficulty project may take 15-20% longer than on a Ryzen 5 7600, but that’s acceptable for hobby projects.

Real Experience: A user on Reddit built a PC with an i5-11400 and RX 6600 for streaming — the system runs OBS + game without lags.


Comparison with Competitors

1. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (6/12, 3.7-4.6 GHz):

- Pros: 7 nm, PCIe 4.0 available on all chipsets.

- Cons: More expensive (from $180), no integrated graphics.

- Conclusion: The choice depends on pricing — if the difference is under $30, Ryzen is the better option.

2. Intel Core i5-12400F (Alder Lake, 2022):

- Pros: 10 nm, DDR5, 15-20% higher performance.

- Cons: No new units available for purchase.


Assembly Tips

1. Cooling: The boxed cooler is adequate, but for quieter operation, consider the DeepCool AK400 ($30).

2. Motherboard: If you need PCIe 4.0, go for B560/Z590.

3. BIOS Update: Older motherboards may require an update for proper operation.


Final Conclusion: Who is the i5-11400 Suitable For?

This processor is worth considering if:

- Your budget is up to $500 for the whole build.

- You need a PC for work, study, or gaming without ultra settings.

- You are upgrading an old system (for example, from i3-10100).

Alternative: If you can spend $50-100 more, look for a used Ryzen 5 7600 or a new Intel Core i3-14100 (newer but has only 4 cores).

In 2025, the i5-11400 is a rational choice for those who value the balance between price and performance but are not chasing trends.

Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
March 2021
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
i5-11400
Code Name
Rocket Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
6
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
12
Performance-cores
6
Performance-core Base Frequency
2.6 GHz
Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency
?
Maximum P-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.
4.4 GHz
L1 Cache
64K per core
L2 Cache
512K per core
L3 Cache
12MB shared
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
LGA-1200
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
14 nm
TDP
65 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
100 °C

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4-3200
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
128GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
True

Benchmarks

Cinebench R23
Single Core Score
1316
Cinebench R23
Multi Core Score
9747
Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
1915
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
7552
Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
1505
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
7090
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
3037
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
17088
Blender
Score
134

Compared to Other CPU

Cinebench R23 Single Core
1826 +38.8%
1628 +23.7%
1072 -18.5%
458 -65.2%
Cinebench R23 Multi Core
15852 +62.6%
12703 +30.3%
3600 -63.1%
431 -95.6%
Geekbench 6 Single Core
2112 +10.3%
2021 +5.5%
1785 -6.8%
1693 -11.6%
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
8490 +12.4%
8052 +6.6%
6683 -11.5%
Geekbench 5 Single Core
1640 +9%
1580 +5%
1437 -4.5%
1374 -8.7%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
7833 +10.5%
7415 +4.6%
6671 -5.9%
6269 -11.6%
Passmark CPU Single Core
3196 +5.2%
3103 +2.2%
2939 -3.2%
2884 -5%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
18679 +9.3%
18070 +5.7%
16355 -4.3%
15670 -8.3%
Blender
245 +82.8%
177 +32.1%
48 -64.2%
12 -91%