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 i3-13100E vs Core i5-12400F 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.

Core i3-13100E vs Core i5-12400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-13100E

2023

Why buy it

✅+969.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $24 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 730, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 91.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 22.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 91.5 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 7,025).
❌
16% HIGHER MSRP
$174 MSRPvs$150 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-13100E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12400F better than Core i3-13100E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 19.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-13100E pulls ahead with 969.3% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-12400F also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-13100E is the stronger fit. You are getting 969.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-12400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-12400F comes in 16.0% more expensive on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-13100E is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 969.3% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 22.7% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 91.5 PassMark/$), 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 i3-13100E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-13100E vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-13100E

The Core i3-13100E 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,727 points. Launch price was $480.

Core i5-12400F

The Core i5-12400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 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: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,532 points. Launch price was $180.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-13100E packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-12400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-13100E versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-13100E uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-13100E scores 13,727 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 34.9% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,001 vs 1,700, a 16.3% lead for the Core i3-13100E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,025 vs 657 (165.8% advantage for the Core i3-13100E). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-13100E vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-13100E	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+32%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	13,727	19,532+42%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	2,001+18%	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,025+969%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Q670,W680,Z690,Z790 (Core i3-13100E) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i3-13100E	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-13100E) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The Core i3-13100E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i3-13100E	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 730	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-13100E was priced at $150, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($150 vs $174), Core i3-13100E was $24 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-13100E delivers 91.5 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i5-12400F the 20.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-13100E	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$150-14%	$174
Performance per Dollar	91.5	112.3+23%
Release Date	2023	2022

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