
Core 2 Quad Q8400

Core i5-13400F
Core 2 Quad Q8400 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.
Core 2 Quad Q8400 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
Core 2 Quad Q8400 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.
Core 2 Quad Q8400
2009Why buy it
- β Costs $13 less on MSRP ($183 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
Trade-offs
- βWorse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- βLower Cinebench R23 multi-core (852 vs 16,211).
- βLower PassMark per dollar, at 11.3 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($183 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
- β46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
- βOlder platform position on LGA775, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
Core i5-13400F
2023Why buy it
- β Better for gaming: +319.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- β Delivers 1025.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 11.3 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $183 MSRP).
- β Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
- β Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA775 and older memory support.
- β 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- β7.1% HIGHER MSRP$196 MSRPvs$183 MSRP
Quick Answers
So, is Core i5-13400F better than Core 2 Quad Q8400?
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?
Core 2 Quad Q8400 vs Core i5-13400F Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 2 Quad Q8400
The Core 2 Quad Q8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007β2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,076 points. Launch price was $249.

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 (2023β2024) 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 Core 2 Quad Q8400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-13400F offers 10 cores / 16 threads β the Core i5-13400F has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F β a 149.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses the Yorkfield (2007β2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-13400F uses Raptor Lake-S (2023β2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q8400 scores 2,076 against the Core i5-13400F's 25,029 β a 169.4% lead for the Core i5-13400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 852 vs 16,211 (180% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). Geekbench 6 single-core β the metric most relevant to gaming β records 369 vs 2,407, a 146.8% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,155 vs 11,408 (163.2% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 10 / 16+150% |
| Boost Clock | 0.67 GHz | 4.6 GHz+587% |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz+6% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 20 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB (total)+220% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | Intel 7 nm-84% |
| Architecture | Yorkfield (2007β2009) | Raptor Lake-S (2023β2024) |
| PassMark | 2,076 | 25,029+1106% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 852 | 16,211+1803% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 369 | 2,407+552% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,155 | 11,408+888% |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-13400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) β making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3 1333 MHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F β the Core i5-13400F supports 260.1% 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 β 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Quad Q8400) vs 20 (Core i5-13400F) β the Core i5-13400F offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel P45,Intel G41,Intel Q45,Intel X48,Intel G31 (Core 2 Quad Q8400) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F).
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 5.0+355% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3 1333 MHz | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+260% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 192 GB+1100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 20 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Quad Q8400) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F). Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q8400 targets Desktop, Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Desktop | Gaming |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core 2 Quad Q8400 was priced at $183, while the Core i5-13400F came in at $196. On launch pricing ($183 vs $196), Core 2 Quad Q8400 was $13 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q8400 delivers 11.3 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-13400F β making the Core i5-13400F the 167.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $183-7% | $196 |
| Performance per Dollar | 11.3 | 127.7+1030% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2023 |
Affiliate Disclosure
ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.














