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 i5-10400F vs Core i5-13600T 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 i5-10400F vs Core i5-13600T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $95 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $255 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 18,100).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 110.6 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $255 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i5-13600T

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 35.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 110.6 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($255 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

❌
59.4% HIGHER MSRP
$255 MSRPvs$160 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600T better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i5-13600T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 121% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 116.5% higher 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 i5-13600T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.3% 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 i5-13600T is the stronger fit. You are getting 121% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i5-13600T is the better buy right now. Core i5-13600T comes in 59.4% more expensive on MSRP at $255 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 35.8% better value on MSRP (110.6 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-10400F 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 i5-13600T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-10400F vs Core i5-13600T Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-13600T

The Core i5-13600T 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 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: 28,202 points. Launch price was $255.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-13600T offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13600T has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13600T — a 11% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600T (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-13600T uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i5-13600T's 28,202 — a 73.6% lead for the Core i5-13600T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 18,100 (75.4% advantage for the Core i5-13600T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,364, a 47.7% lead for the Core i5-13600T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 10,911 (61.4% advantage for the Core i5-13600T). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13600T.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-13600T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	14 / 20+133%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+61%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	13,029	28,202+116%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	18,100+121%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	2,364+63%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	10,911+89%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-13600T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13600T — the Core i5-13600T supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10400F) vs 20 (Core i5-13600T) — the Core i5-13600T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and H610,B660,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i5-13600T).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-13600T
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200+80%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13600T). The Core i5-13600T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming, Core i5-13600T targets Quiet Desktop / SFF PC. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i5-13600T rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-13600T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Quiet Desktop / SFF PC

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400F was priced at $160, while the Core i5-13600T came in at $255. On launch pricing ($160 vs $255), Core i5-10400F was $95 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 110.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-13600T — making the Core i5-13600T the 30.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-13600T
MSRP	$160-37%	$255
Performance per Dollar	81.4	110.6+36%
Release Date	2020	2023

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