Core i3-13100T vs Core i5-10400F

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 i3-13100T vs Core i5-10400F 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 i3-13100T vs Core i5-10400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-13100T

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $26 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 95.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,798 vs 13,029).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-13100T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 95.5 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i3-13100T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Core i3-13100T?

Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.4% 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 i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-10400F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-13100T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-10400F comes in 19.4% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-13100T is also 17.3% better value on MSRP (95.5 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i3-13100T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-13100T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-13100T vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-13100T

The Core i3-13100T 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,798 points. Launch price was $134.

Core i5-10400F

The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-13100T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-13100T versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i3-13100T uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-13100T scores 12,798 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.3 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.9 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	12,798	13,029+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-13100T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i5-10400F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-13100T) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-13100T was priced at $134, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($134 vs $160), Core i3-13100T was $26 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-13100T delivers 95.5 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i3-13100T the 15.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$134-16%	$160
Performance per Dollar	95.5+17%	81.4
Release Date	2023	2020

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