Athlon 220GE vs Core i5-13400F

AMD

Athlon 220GE

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Core family
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Athlon 220GE vs Core i5-13400F Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Athlon 220GE vs Core i5-13400F FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Athlon 220GE vs Core i5-13400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon 220GE

2018

Why buy it

  • Costs $131 less on MSRP ($65 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 3, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,023 vs 11,408).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.3 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($65 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +140.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +400% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Delivers 86.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 68.3 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $65 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 201.5% HIGHER MSRP
    $196 MSRPvs$65 MSRP
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Athlon 220GE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Athlon 220GE?
Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 140.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 463.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 463.6% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 140.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 463.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 400% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-13400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-13400F comes in 201.5% more expensive on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $65 MSRP, and it still gives you a 140.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 86.9% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 68.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Athlon 220GE can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-13400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 400% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Athlon 220GE vs Core i5-13400F Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

Athlon 220GE

The Athlon 220GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,441 points. Launch price was $65.

Intel

Core i5-13400F

The Core i5-13400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 25,029 points. Launch price was $196.

Processing Power

The Athlon 220GE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-13400F offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Athlon 220GE versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F — a 30% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Athlon 220GE uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-13400F uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 220GE scores 4,441 against the Core i5-13400F's 25,029 — a 139.7% lead for the Core i5-13400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 886 vs 2,407, a 92.4% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,023 vs 11,408 (139.8% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon 220GE vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F.

FeatureAthlon 220GECore i5-13400F
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
10 / 16+400%
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
4.6 GHz+35%
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+36%
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
20 MB (total)+400%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+40860%
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture
Zen (2017−2020)
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark
4,441
25,029+464%
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,211
Geekbench 6 Single
886
2,407+172%
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,023
11,408+464%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 220GE uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-13400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2667 on the Athlon 220GE versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F — the Core i5-13400F supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13400F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 200% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon 220GE) vs 20 (Core i5-13400F) — the Core i5-13400F offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Athlon 220GE) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F).

FeatureAthlon 220GECore i5-13400F
Socket
AM4
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2667
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+80%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
192 GB+200%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
8
20+150%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Athlon 220GE has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon 220GE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F). The Athlon 220GE includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 3), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 220GE targets Desktop, Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Athlon 220GE rivals Pentium Gold G5400; Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

FeatureAthlon 220GECore i5-13400F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon Vega 3
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 220GE was priced at $65, while the Core i5-13400F came in at $196. On launch pricing ($65 vs $196), Athlon 220GE was $131 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 220GE delivers 68.3 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-13400F — making the Core i5-13400F the 60.6% better value option.

FeatureAthlon 220GECore i5-13400F
MSRP
$65-67%
$196
Performance per Dollar
68.3
127.7+87%
Release Date
2018
2023

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