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 i3-13100F 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 i3-13100F 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 i3-13100F

2023

Why buy it

✅+1053.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $65 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 134.4 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

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).

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 7,577).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 112.3 vs 134.4 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12400F is ahead with a 20.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-13100F pulls ahead with 1053.3% 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 i3-13100F is the stronger fit. You are getting 1053.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-13100F is the better buy right now. Core i3-13100F comes in $65 cheaper on MSRP at $109 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you 1053.3% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i5-12400F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 20.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 19.7% better value on MSRP (134.4 vs 112.3 PassMark/$), 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 i3-13100F 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 i3-13100F vs Core i5-12400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-13100F

The Core i3-13100F 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 14,649 points. Launch price was $109.

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 i3-13100F 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 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-13100F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-13100F (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-13100F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-12400F uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-13100F scores 14,649 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 28.6% lead for the Core i5-12400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,272 vs 1,700, a 28.8% lead for the Core i3-13100F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,577 vs 657 (168.1% advantage for the Core i3-13100F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-13100F vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.

Feature	Core i3-13100F	Core i5-12400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+2%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+36%	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	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	14,649	19,532+33%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,380
Geekbench 6 Single	2,272+34%	1,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,577+1053%	657

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i3-13100F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: LGA1700 (Core i3-13100F) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).

Feature	Core i3-13100F	Core i5-12400F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-13100F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i3-13100F	Core i5-12400F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Performance/Value

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-13100F was priced at $109, while the Core i5-12400F came in at $174. On launch pricing ($109 vs $174), Core i3-13100F was $65 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-13100F delivers 134.4 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-12400F — making the Core i3-13100F the 18% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-13100F	Core i5-12400F
MSRP	$109-37%	$174
Performance per Dollar	134.4+20%	112.3
Release Date	2023	2022

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