Intel Core i5-7400 Processor

The Intel Core i5-7400 Processor — 4 cores and 4 threads, 3.0 GHz base rising to 3.5 GHz with Turbo Boost, 6 MB Intel Smart Cache, 65 W processor base power, LGA1151. Supplied from stock with a 1-year warranty.

The volume corporate Kaby Lake i5

The i5-7400 is the entry Kaby Lake i5: four cores at 3.00 GHz with a 3.50 GHz Turbo, 6 MB of cache and a 65 W envelope. Launched in Q1 2017, it filled the 2017–2019 corporate desktop fleets — OptiPlex, EliteDesk and ThinkCentre towers of that era are full of them.

Against the Skylake 6500 it gives up some clock (3.0/3.5 GHz versus 3.2/3.6 GHz) in exchange for the HD Graphics 630 media engine, which added full HEVC 10-bit and VP9 hardware decode — useful for 4K signage and video playback. Four physical cores without Hyper-Threading handle office and line-of-business work cleanly.

Technical specifications

Instruction set extensions: Intel SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX and AVX2. AVX-512 is not present on this generation. Security and virtualisation: AES-NI, Intel VT-x with EPT and VT-d, Intel Boot Guard.

Which systems take this processor

Anything on the FCLGA1151 socket with an Intel 200 or 100 series chipset: B250, H270, Q270, Z270, plus the 100 series boards H110, B150, H170, Q170 and Z170 after a BIOS update.

• Business desktops and SFF machines — Dell OptiPlex 3050 / 5050 / 7050, HP EliteDesk 800 G3 / ProDesk 600 G3, Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 / M910. This generation was the corporate volume platform of 2017, so replacement parts remain cheap and plentiful.
• Entry workstations — HP Z240 (late revision), Dell Precision T3620, Lenovo ThinkStation P320, where a 65 W quad-core covers office, light CAD and point-of-sale duty.
• Media and signage boxes — the integrated HD Graphics 630 added full HEVC 10-bit and VP9 hardware decode over the Skylake engine, which is why these parts are still common in 4K signage players.

One caveat when buying a board separately: 100 series boards may need a BIOS from 2017 before a 7th Generation part will POST. Tell us the board or the machine model when you enquire and we will confirm before you order.

How it compares across the i5 line

The 7500 is the same part binned 400 MHz higher at base for little more money, and is usually the better pick. The 8400 is the real jump: six cores, but it needs a 300 series board.

How each processor is tested before it ships

1. Visual inspection of the integrated heat spreader, substrate and contact pads; the sSpec laser marking (SR32W on our i5-7400 stock) is verified against the Intel specification sheet.
2. Burn-in on a matched diagnostic board with a pair of memory modules of the correct type for this platform.
3. All populated memory channels and the primary PCIe lanes are validated, then the processor is identified in the BIOS and in the operating system.
4. A sustained multi-threaded load test at full core count, with the clock and thermal readings recorded.
5. Thermal paste cleaned off, final inspection, then packaging in an anti-static tray with foam — which is how it arrives to you.

Warranty and lead time

Every processor is covered by a 1-year warranty against defects in workmanship and function. If a part fails within the period we replace it or refund it, and we cover return shipping on a verified fault. Stock is held in our own warehouse and normally dispatches within three to seven working days; tracking is issued at dispatch.

Purchasing and volume enquiries

The minimum order quantity for this processor is 2 units. Price is quotation-based rather than listed, because CPU pricing moves with each incoming batch — send us the quantity you need and we will come back with a firm quote and the current lead time. Larger quantities ship from the same production batch so the sSpec and the stepping stay consistent across your order.