Skip to main content
Intel Core I5-9400F 2.9GHz FCLGA1151
Intel

Intel Core I5-9400F 2.9GHz FCLGA1151

Bottom line: The Intel Core I5-9400F 2.9GHz FCLGA1151: 6 physical cores at up to 4.10 GHz max turbo for mainstream gaming; main trade-off: 6 threads only - no Hyper-Threading, so heavy multitasking lags 12-thread rivals.

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →

Check price on Amazon → Compare to similar processors

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014, focused on GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference. Synthesises community benchmarks, manufacturer specs, and public forum data into actionable buying guides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 6 physical cores at up to 4.10 GHz max turbo for mainstream gaming
  • ✓ 9 MB Intel Smart Cache keeps game and app data close to the cores
  • ✓ AVX2 plus SSE4.1/SSE4.2 support for encoding and emulation workloads
  • ✓ Drops straight into an existing FCLGA1151 socket board

Cons

  • ✗ 6 threads only - no Hyper-Threading, so heavy multitasking lags 12-thread rivals
  • ✗ F suffix means no integrated graphics; a discrete GPU is mandatory
  • ✗ Locked multiplier - no overclocking headroom beyond the 4.10 GHz turbo
  • ✗ 2.9 GHz base clock is low for sustained all-core workloads

Manufacturer description

The Intel Core i5-9400F is a six-core, six-thread LGA1151 processor built for gamers who want frame rates without paying for features they will never use. It runs a 2.9 GHz base clock and climbs to a 4.10 GHz max turbo frequency, backed by 9 MB of Intel Smart Cache to keep frequently used game data close to the cores. The F suffix means Intel disabled the integrated graphics, so this chip assumes you already have a discrete GPU installed - a fair trade for anyone building a dedicated gaming or streaming box. Support for Intel SSE4.1, SSE4.2, and AVX2 instruction set extensions keeps the…

Related Products

Other products in this category you may like:

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Intel Core I5-9400F 2.9GHz FCLGA1151 using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the processors category. Intel's processors lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for processors of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Intel Core i5-9400F have integrated graphics?

No. The F suffix means the integrated GPU is disabled, so you must pair this processor with a discrete graphics card to get any video output.

How many cores and threads does the i5-9400F have?

Six cores and six threads. There is no Hyper-Threading, so thread count matches core count - fine for gaming, less ideal for heavy rendering or streaming.

What motherboard socket does this CPU need?

It uses the FCLGA1151 socket. Confirm your board supports 9th-gen Core chips and has the required BIOS version before ordering.

How fast does the i5-9400F actually run?

It runs a 2.9 GHz base clock with a maximum turbo frequency of 4.10 GHz, supported by 9 MB of Intel Smart Cache.

Key Features

  • Intel Core i5-9400F Processor. 9M Cache, up to 4.10 GHz.
  • Total Cores: 6 . Total Threads: 6
  • Max Turbo Frequency: 4.10 GHz
  • Cache: 9 MB Intel Smart Cache
  • Instruction Set Extensions: Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2

Full Specifications

BrandIntel
Cache9 MB Intel Smart Cache
TurboYes
Wattage65 watts
PlatformNot Machine Specific
CPU ModelCore i5
CPU Speed2.9 GHz
CPU SocketLGA 1151
Total Cores6 . Total Threads: 6
Model NumberFCLGA1151-0
Mfr Part NumberBX80684I59400F
Number of Items1
Processor BrandIntel
Processor Count6
Processor Speed2.9 GHz
Secondary Cache9 MB
CPU ManufacturerIntel
Processor SeriesCore i5
Processor SocketLGA 1151
Max Turbo Frequency4.10 GHz

Ready to buy?

Intel Core I5-9400F 2.9GHz FCLGA1151 is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Check price on Amazon →

Related Processors

Keep exploring SpecPicks

Other buying guides

Browse the catalog

Editorial

More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all articles & guides →

More reviews from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all reviews →

Earliest SpecPicks reviews

Browse full archive →
Intel Core I5-9400F 2.9GHz FCLGA1151
View on Amazon →