Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Core i5-13400F
Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 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 64 X2 3800+ 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 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 64 X2 3800+
2005Why buy it
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (1,095 vs 25,029).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.1 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($354 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
- ❌36.9% higher power demand at 89W vs 65W.
- ❌Older platform position on 939, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
Core i5-13400F
2023Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +673.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $158 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $354 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 4028.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 3.1 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $354 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 89W, a 24W reduction.
- ✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of 939 and older memory support.
Trade-offs
- ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.
Quick Answers
So, is Core i5-13400F better than Athlon 64 X2 3800+?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon 64 X2 3800+ vs Core i5-13400F Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Athlon 64 X2 3800+
The Athlon 64 X2 3800+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $149.
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 64 X2 3800+ packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-13400F offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F — a 78.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F. The Athlon 64 X2 3800+ uses the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture (90 nm), while the Core i5-13400F uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ scores 1,095 against the Core i5-13400F's 25,029 — a 183.2% lead for the Core i5-13400F. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 3800+ | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 10 / 16+400% |
| Boost Clock | 2 GHz | 4.6 GHz+130% |
| Base Clock | — | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 20 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% |
| Process | 90 nm | Intel 7 nm-92% |
| Architecture | Manchester (2005−2006) | Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 1,095 | 25,029+2186% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 16,211 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,407 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 11,408 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon 64 X2 3800+ uses the 939 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-13400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F — the Core i5-13400F supports 500% 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 16 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 X2 3800+) vs 20 (Core i5-13400F) — the Core i5-13400F offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 3800+) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F).
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 3800+ | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | 939 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 5.0+355% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+500% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 192 GB+1100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon 64 X2 3800+) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 3800+ | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Gaming |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ was priced at $354, while the Core i5-13400F came in at $196. On launch pricing ($354 vs $196), Core i5-13400F was $158 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ delivers 3.1 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-13400F — making the Core i5-13400F the 190.5% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 3800+ | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $354 | $196-45% |
| Performance per Dollar | 3.1 | 127.7+4019% |
| Release Date | 2005 | 2023 |
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