Intel Core i5-9400F socket: LGA 1151
The Intel Core i5-9400F uses the LGA 1151 socket on revision 2 boards. It is the graphics-less 65 W 6-core chip without Hyper-Threading that became a budget gaming staple, so a separate card is required.
- Socket
- LGA 1151
- Launched
- January 2019
- Cores and threads
- 6 and 6
- Base power
- 65 W
- Codename
- Coffee Lake Refresh
- Segment
- Desktop
- Family
- Intel Core i5
- Clocks
- 2.9 / 4.1 GHz
Intel Core i5-9400F specifications
| Cores | 6 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 6 (no Hyper-Threading) |
| Core architecture | Skylake based cores on 14 nm |
| Clocks | 2.9 GHz base, up to 4.1 GHz (Turbo Boost 2.0) |
| Cache | 9 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 65 W |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Memory support | DDR4 up to 2666 MT/s, two channels, up to 128 GB |
| PCI Express | 16 lanes from the CPU, PCIe 3.0 |
| Integrated graphics | None (the F suffix means no graphics, a separate card is required) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | FCLGA1151 |
| Launch price | $182 (Intel RCP) |
Motherboard and chipset compatibility
Intel Core i5-9400F needs a motherboard with a LGA 1151 socket. The table shows which chipset series accept it.
| Series | Chipsets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 300 series: B365 and Z390 | Z390, B365 | Works out of the box |
| 300 series: H310, B360, H370, Q370, Z370 | Z370, H370, B360, H310, Q370 | Needs a BIOS update Needs a BIOS update before a 9th Gen processor will start. Check the board maker's CPU support list. |
| 200 series | Z270, H270, B250, Q270, Q250 | Not supported |
| 100 series | Z170, H170, B150, H110, Q170, Q150 | Not supported |
Board makers publish a CPU support list for every model. Check it for your exact board before buying. Chipset details for LGA 1151.
Recommended GPU pairing
| Recommended tier | Mid-range 1080p |
|---|---|
| Example GPUs | GeForce GTX 1660 Super, Radeon RX 5500 XT |
| Target resolution | 1080p high settings |
Six physical cores with boost to 4.1 GHz, 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes and DDR4 line up with mid-range 1080p cards from 2019. A faster card still works and the balance shifts with game, settings and resolution.
This is a rough match for a new build at the stated resolution, not a limit. A faster card still works and helps at higher resolutions or in games that load the GPU more than the CPU. A slower card is fine for lighter games and office use. The exact balance shifts with the game, the settings and the resolution, so no percentage is given.
LGA 1151 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 1,151 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 37.5 × 37.5 mm |
| Introduced | August 2015 |
| Memory | DDR4 on most boards (some early boards use DDR3L). DDR4 only on the second revision |
| Cooler mounting holes | 75 × 75 mm |
What the Core i5-9400F is
The Core i5-9400F is a six core, six thread processor that Intel released in early 2019 with the locked 65 W 9th Gen range. Its cores run 2.9 GHz base to 4.1 GHz turbo with Turbo Boost 2.0. Cache is 9 MB of shared L3.
The F suffix marks a 9400 with the integrated GPU disabled, so every display connects through a discrete card. Like the rest of the 9th Gen i5 line there is no Hyper-Threading either. The TDP is 65 W on the 14 nm process.
The multiplier is locked. The launch price was $182 (Intel RCP). On memory tuning, Z390 and Z370 boards accept XMP kits past DDR4-2666 while H-series and B-series boards hold narrower ranges.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 9400F fits the LGA 1151 socket on revision 2 boards only. Z390 and B365 boards accept it with the shipping BIOS. Z370, H370, B360, H310 and Q370 boards need a BIOS update carrying 9th Gen support. Revision 1 boards never support it.
A discrete card must be fitted for every boot, including BIOS setup and updates. B360 boards were the classic pairing: low cost with the memory locked near official speeds, which suited this chip well.
Check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. USB BIOS flashback boards apply the update without a working processor and graphics pair.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
The memory controller supports DDR4 up to 2666 MT/s officially. Two channels carry up to 128 GB. Faster kits run through XMP profiles on boards that allow memory overclocking.
The CPU supplies 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes for the discrete graphics card. All monitors connect to the discrete card, and fast storage hangs off chipset lanes.
At 65 W base with boosts past it, basic cooling suffices with airflow while a tower cooler runs quieter. Mounting uses the 75 mm LGA 1151 pattern in the CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide.
Six cores for budget towers, revision 2 only
The 9400F became a budget gaming staple because it put six physical cores on cheap boards at a low price. Without threading or graphics there is nothing wasted for a tower that games on a discrete card.
The LGA 1151 revision split still applies: revision 2 boards only, never 100 or 200 series. Without integrated graphics, troubleshooting needs a known-good discrete card, so keep one available until the build proves stable.
Upgrade paths
Against the Intel Core i5-9400, which adds UHD 630 graphics for display output and troubleshooting, the 9400F costs less and performs identically with a discrete card. Against the Intel Core i7-9700K, it trades two cores and boost headroom for savings on the same socket.
Moving to LGA 1200 needs a new board while keeping DDR4. The 9400F fits a budget gaming tower that will always carry a discrete card.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core i5-9400F use?
It uses LGA 1151 on revision 2 boards with 300 series chipsets, written FCLGA1151 in Intel's documents. A discrete graphics card is required.
What is the difference between the 9400F and the 9400?
The F has no integrated graphics. Choose the plain 9400 when the PC may need display output without a separate card.
Does the 9400F run in a Z270 motherboard?
No. Z270 and other 100 and 200 series boards are revision 1 and never support 9th Gen processors.
What memory speed does the 9400F support?
Officially up to DDR4-2666. Faster kits run through XMP profiles, which count as overclocking.
Can the 9400F encode video without a graphics card?
No Quick Sync block is available, so recording and streaming encode on the discrete card. Choose a card with a capable media block when encoding matters.
Sources and verification
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .