Athlon X4 840 vs Core i5-13400F

Athlon X4 840 vs Core i5-13400F Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 840

4 / 4

3,331

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-13400F

10 / 16

25,029

+651.4%

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 X4 840 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 X4 840 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 X4 840

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $94 less on MSRP ($102 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,331 vs 25,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.7 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($102 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FM2+, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +180.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 291.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $102 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FM2+ and older memory support.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Athlon X4 840.

Trade-offs

❌
92.2% HIGHER MSRP
$196 MSRPvs$102 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Athlon X4 840?

Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 180.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 651.4% better 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 180.9% 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 651.4% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads.

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 92.2% more expensive on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $102 MSRP, and it still gives you a 180.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 291.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 32.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 2014), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FM2+, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Athlon X4 840 vs Core i5-13400F Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 840

The Athlon X4 840 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,331 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 X4 840 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-13400F offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Athlon X4 840 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F — a 19% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Athlon X4 840 uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-13400F uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 840 scores 3,331 against the Core i5-13400F's 25,029 — a 153% lead for the Core i5-13400F.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	Core i5-13400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	10 / 16+150%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.6 GHz+21%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+24%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+220%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	28 nm	Intel 7 nm-75%
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	3,331	25,029+651%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	16,211
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,407
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,408

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 840 uses the FM2+ 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 DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 840 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F — the Core i5-13400F supports 125% 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: 16 (Athlon X4 840) vs 20 (Core i5-13400F) — the Core i5-13400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 840) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F).

Feature	Athlon X4 840	Core i5-13400F
Socket	FM2+	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+125%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	192 GB+200%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 840) / 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 X4 840	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 X4 840 was priced at $102, while the Core i5-13400F came in at $196. On launch pricing ($102 vs $196), Athlon X4 840 was $94 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 840 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-13400F — making the Core i5-13400F the 118.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	Core i5-13400F
MSRP	$102-48%	$196
Performance per Dollar	32.7	127.7+291%
Release Date	2014	2023

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