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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $232 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-13790F.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13790F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 26,247).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 33 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 111.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-13790F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i7-13790F

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +97.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 36.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($392 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌
145% HIGHER MSRP
$392 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Core i7-13790F

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $232 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-13790F.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +97.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 36.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($392 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13790F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 26,247).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 33 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 81.4 vs 111.1 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-13790F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌
145% HIGHER MSRP
$392 MSRPvs$160 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13790F better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i7-13790F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 97.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 220.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 234.2% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-13790F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 97.6% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13790F is the better fit. You are getting 220.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-13790F is the smarter buy today. Core i7-13790F is 145.0% more expensive on MSRP at $392 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it gives you a 97.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 36.4% better value on MSRP (111.1 vs 81.4 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play 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 i7-13790F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 175% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-10400F Benchmark Check

Core i7-13790F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-13790F
1080p
low	192 FPS	276 FPS
medium	152 FPS	258 FPS
high	123 FPS	214 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	183 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	256 FPS
medium	119 FPS	215 FPS
high	97 FPS	167 FPS
ultra	79 FPS	148 FPS
4K
low	82 FPS	173 FPS
medium	70 FPS	145 FPS
high	55 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	97 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-13790F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-13790F
1080p
low	326 FPS	361 FPS
medium	318 FPS	309 FPS
high	290 FPS	259 FPS
ultra	253 FPS	233 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	314 FPS
medium	292 FPS	278 FPS
high	267 FPS	235 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	199 FPS
4K
low	309 FPS	186 FPS
medium	258 FPS	168 FPS
high	235 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	138 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-13790F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-13790F
1080p
low	326 FPS	1025 FPS
medium	326 FPS	1011 FPS
high	326 FPS	933 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	803 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	969 FPS
medium	326 FPS	858 FPS
high	326 FPS	775 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	588 FPS
medium	326 FPS	506 FPS
high	289 FPS	455 FPS
ultra	229 FPS	387 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-13790F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-13790F
1080p
low	326 FPS	1089 FPS
medium	326 FPS	1015 FPS
high	326 FPS	876 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	767 FPS
1440p
low	326 FPS	960 FPS
medium	326 FPS	844 FPS
high	326 FPS	722 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	620 FPS
4K
low	326 FPS	684 FPS
medium	326 FPS	605 FPS
high	326 FPS	536 FPS
ultra	326 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i5-10400F Open Core i7-13790F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10400F and Core i7-13790F

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 i7-13790F

The Core i7-13790F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 43,549 points. Launch price was $441.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-10400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-13790F offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13790F has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i7-13790F — a 18.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-13790F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-13790F uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400F scores 13,029 against the Core i7-13790F's 43,549 — a 107.9% lead for the Core i7-13790F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,191 vs 26,247 (104.9% advantage for the Core i7-13790F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,454 vs 2,815, a 63.8% lead for the Core i7-13790F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,783 vs 13,673 (81.1% advantage for the Core i7-13790F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F vs 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-13790F.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-13790F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	16 / 24+167%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5.2 GHz+21%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+38%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	33 MB (total)+175%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB (per core)+700%
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	13,029	43,549+234%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,191	26,247+220%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,454	2,815+94%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,783	13,673+136%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-13790F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13790F — the Core i7-13790F supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13790F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F) and Z790,B760 (Core i7-13790F).

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-13790F
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-5600+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-13790F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400F	Core i7-13790F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-10400F launched at $160 MSRP, while the Core i7-13790F debuted at $392. On MSRP ($160 vs $392), the Core i5-10400F is $232 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400F delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 111.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-13790F — making the Core i7-13790F the 30.8% better value option.