For most PC gamers, building a PC around 5000 yuan is a reasonable price point that can fully meet the demands of mainstream gaming titles. This is indeed a very “sweet” choice, and on the build list at this price point, Intel’s Core i5 9400F is a highly recommended CPU. In fact, there are other options available at this price level, but why do so many people choose the Core i5 9400F? After reading the analysis below, you will understand.
Tailor-made for mainstream users, perfectly balancing performance and price
The Core i5 9400F adopts a highly mature 14nm++ process technology that has evolved over several generations, featuring 6 physical cores with a base frequency of 2.9GHz and a maximum turbo frequency of up to 4.1GHz (with a maximum turbo of 3.9GHz for all six cores). Compared to its sibling, the Core i5 9400, the Core i5 9400F has removed the integrated graphics, optimizing power consumption control and clearly targeting gamers, while also standing out in terms of price-performance ratio.
The memory latency performance of the Core i5 9400F is even better than that of flagship competitors
Of course, beyond these visible specifications, the Core i5 9400F has many more advantages that make it feel smoother and more reliable than competitors. Even beginner players who are not well-versed in DIY knowledge know that Intel CPUs provide a smoother gaming experience, unlike some competitor CPUs that often experience stuttering in games. Why is that? This is actually one of the architectural advantages of the ninth generation Core: low memory latency.
We know that some performance tests built into certain games provide data on CPU Frame, which indicates the refresh frame rate when playing the game. If this value is too low, it leads to the game engine waiting for the CPU to complete calculations, resulting in stuttering. The lower the memory latency, the faster the CPU can read and write memory, leading to better CPU Frame performance and significantly reducing the chances of stuttering. According to real memory tests from SiSoftware Sandra, the memory latency time of the Core i5 9400F is only 22.5ns, a performance that is even better than that of flagship competitors with high-frequency memory, showcasing Intel’s technological advantage in this area.
Current mainstream 3D blockbusters can fully utilize the CPU’s 6 cores for optimal execution efficiency
In addition, the reason why the Core i5 9400F is very suitable for mainstream gamers is that its operating frequency and IPC are also highly competitive within the same price range. Its all-core turbo can reach 3.9GHz, and the single-core turbo can reach up to 4.1GHz. Although competitors may barely catch up in terms of frequency, due to the significant difference in IPC, the single-core performance naturally cannot match that of the Core i5 9400F, resulting in poorer gaming performance.
From the real-world testing of major game titles, existing blockbusters can fully utilize all six physical cores of the Core i5 9400F, unleashing its full performance. In contrast, competitors at the same price point, due to insufficient optimization of simultaneous multithreading technology, have simulated six logical cores that instead become a burden, leading to reduced frame rates or stuttering in games. In summary, the core/frequency combination of the Core i5 9400F is considered a perfect balance among mainstream gaming CPUs, with a very accurate positioning.
A computer equipped with Core i5 9400F can guarantee a smooth frame rate of over 60fps for 3D blockbusters at 1080P resolution
In addition to solid hardware technology, a truly reliable gaming CPU must also have the best gaming optimization. You must have heard about certain brands of CPUs not being well optimized for gaming, resulting in frequent stuttering or low frame rates due to CPU usage not ramping up. This is actually a problem of insufficient game optimization. Game developers typically use Intel CPUs as their development platform, which is why Intel CPUs do not experience game compatibility issues.
In contrast, some non-Intel processors are prone to low execution efficiency in games, or even unable to run them (a recent example being a certain CPU that could not run “Destiny 2”). It is particularly worth mentioning that the latest (July) player hardware survey report released by the world’s largest PC gaming platform, Steam, shows that Intel CPUs occupy 82% of the market share on Windows systems, while AMD CPUs occupy 17.99%.“The vast majority of players have proven everything with their choices; the advantages of Intel processors in gaming are undeniable. In summary, an excellent gaming CPU must have the greatest support from game developers, and the Core i5 9400F, with its excellent pedigree from the Core series, undoubtedly has a unique advantage in this regard.
Furthermore, a mainstream gaming CPU like the Core i5 9400F, which has no shortcomings, is priced at only 1199 yuan (it can be even lower during promotional events on e-commerce platforms), making it quite affordable. This means that the total cost of building a mainstream gaming PC is around 5000 yuan, which is the psychological price point for most mainstream gamers, making its price-performance ratio exceptionally prominent.
High price-performance ratio and versatile combinations to meet various PC building needs
The combination of Core i5 9400F with B360/B365 motherboards is a classic pairing with high price-performance
The low power consumption/low heat generation characteristics of the Core i5 9400F allow it to easily adapt to various aesthetically pleasing ITX mini silent cases
The TDP of the Core i5 9400F is only 65W, which means it has excellent temperature performance, allowing it to fit into a variety of cooling levels of cases—especially those that sacrifice some cooling performance for aesthetics and mini size. Of course, for mainstream users, even if they buy components separately to build a PC, the total cost of a gaming PC equipped with the Core i5 9400F is still around 5000 yuan, fully satisfying the performance demands of mainstream games. If choosing third-party pre-built products, the total cost can be even lower, making it particularly suitable for budget-conscious players who want to experience major games smoothly.
If players want to build a high-quality mini gaming PC themselves, the Core i5 9400F can also easily handle it, as it generates enough low heat to work normally in mini cases with limited cooling space. For example, this high-quality gaming mini build uses ASRock’s B365 ITX motherboard paired with the Core i5 9400F, installed in the stylish aluminum case of the JONSBO UMX1-PLUS ITX mini case, not only looks outstanding, but also has performance identical to that of full-sized PCs. Moreover, it is particularly commendable that due to the low cooling pressure of the Core i5 9400F, it can be paired with sufficiently silent coolers, which is particularly friendly for players who dislike computer noise, making it easily surpass many competitors.
Conclusion:The golden combination of performance and price
Core i5 9400F is the strongest in mainstream price range
For mainstream players, the Core i5 9400F can be considered a mainstream gaming CPU with no shortcomings in any aspect. Its 6 cores and 6 threads can fully meet the demands of mainstream AAA games, and its mature architecture and high frequencies can ensure sufficiently low data transmission latency, providing the smoothest gaming experience. At the same time, the Core i5 9400F also has a very affordable price point, with a price just over 1000 yuan, allowing the total price of the entire machine to be controlled between 4500 yuan and 5200 yuan, which aligns very well with mainstream players’ psychological expectations, making its price-performance ratio quite impressive.
Of course, for most players, one important reason for choosing the Intel ninth generation Core is stability, making it more reassuring and worry-free to use, without frequently having to resolve various compatibility issues—this is also a significant advantage of the Core i5 9400F. In summary, for mainstream players with a build budget of around 5000 yuan, choosing the Core i5 9400F is the final recommendation from experienced players.
The little lion’s favorite chicken leg – dividing line 🍗🍗
