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Intel Core i5-7400T

Intel Core i5-7400T: Review of an Outdated but Relevant Processor for Basic Tasks (April 2025)

Key Features: Kaby Lake in a Compact Format

The Intel Core i5-7400T, released in 2017, belongs to the seventh generation (Kaby Lake). It is manufactured using a 14nm process and is marketed as an energy-efficient solution for compact PCs. Here are its key specifications:

- Cores and Threads: 4 cores, 4 threads. The lack of Hyper-Threading limits multitasking, but it's sufficient for basic use cases.

- Clock Speeds: Base clock — 2.4 GHz, maximum turbo clock — 3.0 GHz. Modest figures even for 2025, but adequate for office tasks.

- Cache Memory: L3 - 6 MB. This amount is sufficient for document work or browsing.

- TDP: 35W. Low power consumption allows the processor to be used in mini-PCs and systems with passive cooling.

- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 630. Supports 4K@60Hz via HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2, but is not suitable for gaming.

Key Features of Kaby Lake:

- Support for hardware decoding of H.265/VP9 (relevant for 4K streaming).

- Optane Memory technology (for accelerating HDDs).

- Improved energy efficiency compared to the previous generation Skylake.

Practical Example: In 2025, the i5-7400T is frequently found in used office PCs (e.g., Dell OptiPlex 3050). Such systems are sold for $80-120 and are suitable for replacing outdated second-generation Core i3s.

Compatible Motherboards: Searching on the Secondary Market

The processor uses the LGA 1151 (v2) socket but it's important not to confuse it with the 8th-9th generation Coffee Lake — while the physical socket matches, the electrical compatibility does not exist.

Compatible Chipsets:

- H110/B250: Budget motherboards supporting DDR4-2133/2400. Example: ASUS H110M-K ($45-60 in 2025, only used).

- H270/Q270: For corporate solutions with additional USB 3.1 ports.

- Z270: Allows memory overclocking, but the i5-7400T itself does not support overclocking.

Selection Features:

- BIOS Update: Some Skylake motherboards require a firmware update to support Kaby Lake.

- No new motherboards: All compatible models have been discontinued; look for them on eBay or in local used electronics stores.

- Recommended models: Gigabyte B250M-DS3H, MSI H270M Mortar.

Memory: DDR4 but No Prospects

The i5-7400T supports DDR4-2133/2400 MHz in dual-channel mode. The maximum capacity is 64 GB (theoretically), but in practice, most motherboards are limited to 32 GB.

Practical Tips:

- For an office PC, 8 GB (2x4 GB) is sufficient. The cost of the kit is $25-30.

- For multimedia tasks (e.g., video editing at 1080p resolution), 16 GB (2x8 GB) is preferable — $45-55.

- DDR5 and other modern standards are not supported.

Important: The low frequencies of DDR4-2133 may become a bottleneck in gaming or when working with "heavy" applications. For example, in GTA V with a GTX 1650, the difference between DDR4-2133 and DDR4-3200 can reach 10-15% FPS.

Power Supply: Minimum Requirements

With a TDP of 35W, the processor does not require a powerful PSU. However, it's important to consider the power consumption of other components:

- Integrated Graphics: Up to 30W under load.

- Discrete Graphics Card: For example, a GTX 1650 (75W) will require a PSU of 300-400W.

- Recommendations:

- For a PC without a graphics card: PSU of 200-250W (Be Quiet! SFX Power 2 250W — $50).

- With a graphics card: 450-500W (Corsair CX450 — $60).

Example: A system with an i5-7400T, GTX 1650, 16 GB DDR4, and SSD consumes about 150W at peak. Even a budget PSU of 400W will handle this with a margin.

Pros and Cons: Who Is This Processor Relevant For in 2025?

Advantages:

- Low power consumption and heat generation. Ideal for HTPCs or mini-PCs.

- Sufficient performance for basic tasks: office work, browsing, 1080p video.

- Low price on the secondary market ($25-40 for the processor).

Disadvantages:

- Lack of support for PCIe 4.0/5.0 and DDR5.

- Weak IPC (compared to modern 12th generation Core i3s).

- No Hyper-Threading — falls behind in multi-threaded tasks (rendering) compared to the Ryzen 3 3300X.

Use Cases: Where the i5-7400T Still Shines

1. Office and Study: Document work, Zoom conferences, 10+ tabs in Chrome.

2. Multimedia: Watching 4K on YouTube (hardware decoding VP9), streaming to a TV.

3. Light Gaming: CS2, Dota 2, GTA V on low settings with a GTX 1650 (30-60 FPS).

4. Home Server: Thanks to low TDP, suitable for NAS or media servers (e.g., based on Proxmox).

Real Case: A user built a budget HTPC on the i5-7400T, added an SSD, and uses it for Netflix and retro game emulation via RetroArch. Total build cost — $150.

Comparison with Competitors: Against Ryzen and Newer Intel

- AMD Ryzen 5 2400G (4 cores/8 threads, Vega 11): Better in multi-threaded tasks and gaming without discrete graphics. However, it consumes 65W and costs $70-90 used.

- Intel Core i5-8400 (6 cores/6 threads): 30-40% faster in multitasking but requires more robust cooling. Used price — $50-65.

- Intel Core i3-12100 (4 cores/8 threads, Alder Lake): New processor for $120 with support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. 3-4 times faster in single-threaded tasks.

Conclusion: The i5-7400T falls short against modern counterparts but is advantageous for a limited budget or upgrading older systems.

Building Tips: How to Avoid Mistakes

1. Motherboard: Check the CPU support list on the manufacturer's website.

2. Cooling: Even the stock cooler is sufficient — the temperature under load rarely exceeds 65°C.

3. BIOS: Update to the latest version before installing the processor.

4. Memory: Use dual-channel mode to enhance integrated graphics performance.

5. SSD: Be sure to install an SSD (e.g., Kingston A400 240GB — $25) instead of an HDD.

Summary: Who Is the i5-7400T Suitable for in 2025?

This processor should only be considered in two scenarios:

1. Upgrading an Old PC: If you already have an LGA 1151 v2 motherboard, replacing an old Pentium with the i5-7400T will yield a noticeable boost.

2. Building an Ultra-Budget System: For tasks where minimizing cost is prioritized over performance.

Alternative: For $100-150, you can find used PCs based on Ryzen 5 3600 or Core i5-9400F, which are significantly more powerful. However, if the goal is to save $50-70, the i5-7400T remains an option for undemanding users.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

January 2017

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.

i5-7400T

Code Name

Kaby 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).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

2.40 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

3.00 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

3.00 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

L3 Cache

6 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCLGA1151

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

35 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

80°C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

3.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

Up to 1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8+2x4

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.

DDR4-2133/2400 | DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

64 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

8 GT/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

GPU Name

Intel® HD Graphics 630

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

350 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.00 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

64 GB

4K Support

Yes | at 60Hz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@24Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)

Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.

4096x2304@60Hz

Number of Displays Supported

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

6 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel Boot Guard

Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel Clear Video Technology

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.5

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1014

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

2803

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

782

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

2538

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

1787

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

4730

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Ryzen 5 1500X

1105 +9%

Core i3-4160

1070 +5.5%

Core i5-7400T

1014

Xeon Platinum 8156

962 -5.1%

Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U

914 -9.9%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i5-6500

3206 +14.4%

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

3013 +7.5%

Core i5-7400T

2803

Xeon E5-2658 v4

2506 -10.6%

Core i7-3720QM

2298 -18%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i5-3570

816 +4.3%

Xeon E5-2686 v3

800 +2.3%

Core i5-7400T

782

Xeon E5-2637

766 -2%

Core i5-6440EQ

743 -5%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Xeon W-2104

2777 +9.4%

Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G with Radeon Vega 8 Graphics

2664 +5%

Core i5-7400T

2538

Core i7-5700EQ

2390 -5.8%

Xeon E5630

2230 -12.1%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Celeron G3950

1851 +3.6%

Xeon E5-2697 v2

1811 +1.3%

Core i5-7400T

1787

Xeon E3-1240L v3

1761 -1.5%

Core i7-3520M

1735 -2.9%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Xeon E5-2609

5443 +15.1%

Core i7-10510Y

5100 +7.8%

Core i5-7400T

4730

Core i3-9100TE

4501 -4.8%

Athlon 300GE

4277 -9.6%