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When it comes to CPUs Intel outperforms AMD for its gaming efficiency while AMD provides outstanding rendition in productivity software. Besides providing the best gaming experience, Intel remains a budget pick for many.
And when it pertains to a potent CPU with a reasonable price tag, the Intel Core i5 9400F is a perfect piece of art for amazing mid-tier gaming performance. Speaking of its capacities, it houses six standard cores and six threads, and a 9MB Intel Smart Cache. Moreover, you will also find its 14nm Core architecture best for performance efficiencies and speeds.
While this 9th generation i5 is best in many aspects, it does not offer a significant improvement to its predecessor 8th generation. You will see a mere 2.4% performance increase in this one. But you can take your game to a whole new level if you couple it with a good GPU.
Since GPU plays an important part in making your gaming the best, it is important to select GPU carefully. With the right GPU, you can avoid bottlenecks and make a more efficient gaming PC.
So we decided to do the legwork for you and choose the GPUs that match the processor’s performance and provide enough power, and compatibility to avoid bottlenecking or compatibility issues. Here are some of the best picks:
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
- AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660
- AMD Radeon RX 580
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super
Quick Comparison chart of Best GPU for i5 9400f
| Graphics Card | RAM | Video Output | CUDA Cores | Boost Clock Speed | Base Clock Speed | Bandwidth | Memory Interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super | 6GB | 1xDVI-D, 1xHDMI 2.0b, 1xDP 1.4 | 1408 | 1785 MHz | 1530 MHz | 336 GB/s | 192-bit |
| MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Mech 8G OC | 8GB | 1xHDMI 2.0b, 3xDP 1.4 | 1408 | 1845 MHz | 1647 MHz | 224 GB/s | 128-bit |
| Zotac Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 | 6GB | 3xDP 1.4, 1xHDMI 2.0b | 1408 | 1785 MHz | 1530 MHz | 192 GB/s | 192-bit |
| AMD Radeon RX 580 | 8GB | 1xHDMI, 3xDP | 2304 | 1340 MHz | 1257 MHz | 256 GB/s | 256-bit |
| MSI Gaming Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super | 4GB | 1xHDMI, 1xDP, 1xDVI | 1280 | 1740 MHz | 1530 MHz | 192 GB/s | 128-bit |
Our Picks for Best GPU for i5 9400f
Our detailed guide on the Best GPU for i5 9400f is worth reading if you want a good gaming PC. So let’s see what they have to offer!
1. ASUS Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
editors picks
Reasons to Consider
If you are in the market for the best graphics card for i5 9400f and want to get a budget option, go for this ASUS Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super. It comes with an amazing boost clock speed and 1408 cores making it best for games and graphic works.
Specifications
- Ram: 6GB GDDR6
- Video Output: 1 x DVI-D, 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- CUDA: 1408 cores
- Boost Clock Speed: 1785 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1530 MHz
- Bandwidth: 336 GB/s
- Memory Interface: 192-bit
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super is a budget pick for those who want to upgrade a PC with a potent GPU. This card comes with many bells and whistles like 6 GB VRAM, 336 GB/s bandwidth, and a 1785 MHz boost clock, which make it a decent PC for most modern titles.
Moreover, it can go head-to-head with the i5-9400F processor since it does not bottleneck and provide enough power to handle most AAA titles. In fact when you pair it with the i5-9400F, the GTX 1660 Super can offer 1080 resolution with amazing frame rates for an immersive gaming experience.
Many users agree that the card runs quiet and cool however some also state light overheating and noise during intense sessions. Moreover, you can also overclock this 1660 version but don’t forget to use only pertinent software to do so.
All in all, the GTX 1660 Super can go toe to toe with your i5 9400f and provide the best gaming performance.
2. MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Mech 8G OC
Powerhouse
Reasons to Consider
The MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT GPU is best for budget conscious buyers. Since it comes with a reasonable price tag and offers a steady 1080 p gaming at an amazing framerate you can consider it for moderate gaming.
Specifications
- Ram: 8GB GDDR6
- Video Output: 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4
- CUDA: 1408 cores
- Boost Clock Speed: 1845 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1647 MHz
- Bandwidth: 224 GB/s
- Memory Interface: 128-bit
The MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Mech 8G OC is another mid-range graphics card that can go toe to toe with your i5-9400F CPU. Speaking of its compatibility,
Its PCIe 4.0 x8 slot makes it the best match for the i5-9400F CPU.
Moreover, it also offers decent performance for games and graphic tasks. You can benchmark at 1080p for 60-100 Fps depending on your game title. However, it can smoothly play most AAA titles for 1080p if you don’t plan to exceed 1440 or 4k resolution. For that, you should seek another GPU.
If you look at its cooling mechanism, its dual fan design is enough for cool and quiet performance however, many users were not happy with its overclocking. It overclocks for more intense processing, but it does not affect its performance much.
Moreover, the MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Mech 8G OC retains a TDP (thermal design power) of 130W so only get this card if you have a 450W PSU so that it can cope with both your processor and GPU.
All in all, the MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Mech 8G OC is a good choice to couple with an i5-9400F CPU for 1080p gaming performance. However, for a more advanced gaming experience, you should look for another GPU.
3. Zotac Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660
Performance
Reasons to Consider
If you want the best graphics card for Intel i5 and want to get a budget option, go for this Zotac Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660. You can hit most games in a 1080p display at a whopping 60-100FPS. Moreover, with a little bit of adjustment, you can even achieve 1440p which is amazing for a mid-tier GPU.
Specifications
- Ram: 6GB GDDR5
- Video Output: 3x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0b
- CUDA: 1408 cores
- Boost Clock Speed: 1785 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1530 MHz
- Bandwidth: 192 GB/s
- Memory Interface: 192-bit
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 is another mid-range graphics card for budget picks. Since it is fitted on Nvidia’s Turing architecture expect amazing gaming performance at an affordable price point.
This GPU offers slightly less performance than our previous pick Geforce GTX 1660 Super, but in the end, it suffices for this price point. Speaking of its performance, it will leverage its 1408 CUDA cores, and a boost clock speed of 1785 MHz to give you shatter-free and fluid gameplay.
Although you cannot hit higher frame rates at crips display for 1080p resolution gaming, it offers steady performance. Moreover, it comes with 6GB VRAM and a 192-bit memory interface same as the SUPER version but with exception of GDDR5 instead of GDDR6X.
Note that some users claim to hit 1440p for some modern titles. With a little bit of tweaking and overclocking, you can achieve a better display with better FPS. And when it comes to cooling, you will find its Dual Fan IceStorm 2.0 cooling system amazing.
Since these fans are engineered to spin in opposite directions they make for better ventilation across the card. And the cherry on top, they are sleek enough to fit inside small cases. And there is more to this card than cooling. You can capture your best moves during games and share them with your pals n 360 degrees thanks to Nvidia Ansel. Moreover, with G-sync, you can take your display systems’ refresh rate to another notch.
All in all, if you want a reasonably priced GPU without performance compromise look no further than this one.
4. AMD Radeon RX 580
Versatile
Reasons to Consider
If you want no less than 8GB VRAM for your GPU i5, we recommend this AMD Radeon RX 580 GPU. While not costing much, this GPU offers solid game performance at amazing framerates.
Specifications
- Ram: 8GB GDDR5
- Video Output: 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
- CUDA: 2304 cores
- Boost Clock Speed: 1340 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1257 MHz
- Bandwidth: 256 GB/s
- Memory Interface: 256-bit
The AMD Radeon RX 580 is another potent pick for the i5 9400f. It has many enticing features that make it a good choice over our previous picks. First, it comes with an amazing 8GB VRAM which is made for faster processing. However, it is GDDR5 instead of GDDR 6X, which might make it not the very best.
Next, it comes with 2304 stream processors, a base clock speed of 1257 MHz, and a boost clock speed of 1340 MHz which you can leverage to make a fantastic gameplay experience. Many gamers agree that they can hit higher frame rates with this GPU. In fact, it benchmarks at 1080p resolution with 60+ FPS. Not only that, but some can also go as high as 1440p resolution with reasonable frame rates.
Although the cooling design depends on the brand-making GPU generally, it comes with a dual fan design and liquid cooling. This card has a small footprint which makes it best for small PC builds.
In addition, this card also offers DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5, which let you achieve better gameplay for most modern titles. And don’t forget this one also comes with AMD FreeSync technology that lets you sync the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate.
Speaking of its power consumption it is not power-hungry and with a mere 500W PSU, you can connect this card. Moreover, its 8-pin power connector lets it pair with the i5 9400f.
Overall, the AMD Radeon RX 580 is one of the best GPUs that offer solid gaming performance at an affordable price.
5. MSI Gaming Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super
Efficient
Reasons to Consider
If you want to achieve a steady 60 FPS for 1080p gaming, go for this GPU. Since it comes with 4GB VRAM and 1208 CUDA core it runs smoothly for most titles. Moreover, it uses only 100W, so if you have a limited PSU this card is worth buying.
Specifications
- Ram: 4GB GDDR6
- Video Output: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1 x DVI
- CUDA: 1280 cores
- Boost Clock Speed: 1740 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1530 MHz
- Bandwidth: 192 GB/s
- Memory Interface: 128-bit
And last but not least, we have the MSI Gaming Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super which is also a budget graphics card with solid performance for 1080p gaming. You can play most titles in 1080p at 60+FPS.
As with our previous picks, this one is also based on the Turing architecture. Moreover, it also features 1280 CUDA cores which are suitable for faster processing.
A downside for me with this GPU was its 4GB of GDDR6 memory and a 128-bit memory interface, which compared to our previous picks, is not much. But still, many users agree that they can play titles like Fortnite, GTA5, Warzone, CSGO, and Starcraft 2 for 1080p at 60+FPS. So for budget buyers who don’t want high-end games, this one is best.
In addition, the GTX 1650 Super’s compatibility with DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5, makes it suitable for modern games and software. While it can go hand in hand with moderate gaming and graphical tasks for high-end graphic processing, you will need a more pricey and potent option.
But one thing where this GPU outperforms is its low power consumption. A mere 100W TDPit requires only a single 6-pin power connector, so if your system had a low-range PSU, this GPU is definitely for you. And don’t worry, it will not overheat as for most titles. This GPU runs relatively cool and quiet.
Speaking of its connectivity, it has only one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and one DVI-D output which might not be amazing for most of you. All in all, this MSI GPU is a reliable budget graphics card that delivers good performance for 1080p gaming.
Factors To Consider When Buying a Graphics Card for Core i5- 9400F
When you plan to buy a GPU for your 9th generation intel processor, there are a few things to keep in mind, such as:
Power Supply Unit (PSU) compatibility
Since your GPU will need the power to run, you should check if your PSU can handle the card you want to buy. In general, the mid-range cards, as we discussed above, are not power-hungry as most of them require 200-400W. But still, before buying, make sure they have enough juice to run.
Size of the graphics card
The form factor of the Graphics cards is an important consideration since they come in a variety of sizes. Be mindful and choose a card that can easily sit inside your PC. Not only that, but it also has enough ventilation.
Type of connection
Connectivity is also important for the Graphics cards. Most GPUs come with PCIe or AGP but mostly the mid-range GPUs often have PCIe. Still, if you see a GPU with AGP, choose it over the former, as it is faster.
Resolution and refresh rate of your monitor
Besides the bottlenecking of CPU and GPU, the monitor can also make for poor performance if one has the edge over the other. For high-resolution or high-refresh-rate monitors, you should get a more powerful graphics card to achieve amazing performance and vice versa.
Budget
If you want to upgrade your PC, you must have some budget in mind. So you should shed some light on this element in order to move forward. Even on a tight budget, you can find the best graphics processor, but you will need to put in some additional effort. Still, in this guide, you will find all budget picks.
VRAM
When choosing a GPU for i5 9400f, check the VRAM since it makes for better gameplay. For avid gamers who want to achieve 1440p and 4K resolution with 60+ FPS, an 8GB VRAM will suffice. However, for the average gamer who wants light gameplay of 1080p graphics, 4GB or 6GB of RAM is enough.
Clock Speed
Since the clock speed of the GPU determines how fast it can handle data you should choose a good clock speed GPU for better performance. In fact, For i5 9400F, a GPU with a clock speed of at least 1,500 MHz is good however more the better.
Conclusion
The Intel Core i5 9400F is a unique mid-tier card and is best for budget buyers. Its 6 cores, 6 threads, and a 9 MB Intel Smart Cache, when combined with the best GPU, make for 1080p and 1440p gaming graphics. By relieving the CPU of the graphics-related workload, a compatible graphics card will increase the system’s capacity for gaming and content production.
But you can’t just go out and choose a graphics card when the market is so crowded. You must invest a few hours in your study before making a graphics card purchase.
