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 i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $61 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13490F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 16,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).

Core i5-13490F

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

Trade-offs

❌
35.1% HIGHER MSRP
$235 MSRPvs$174 MSRP

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i5-13490F

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $61 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13490F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 16,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌
35.1% HIGHER MSRP
$235 MSRPvs$174 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13490F better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core i5-13490F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 34.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 33.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 36.5% 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 i5-13490F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 34.7% 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 i5-13490F is the better fit. You are getting 33.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i5-13490F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13490F is 35.1% more expensive on MSRP at $235 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it gives you a 34.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1.1% better value on MSRP (113.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i5-13490F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 i5-12400F Benchmark Check

Core i5-13490F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13490F
1080p
low	183 FPS	246 FPS
medium	168 FPS	231 FPS
high	139 FPS	196 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	169 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	215 FPS
medium	132 FPS	183 FPS
high	106 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	132 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	149 FPS
medium	81 FPS	127 FPS
high	64 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	86 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i5-13490F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13490F
1080p
low	471 FPS	590 FPS
medium	397 FPS	501 FPS
high	341 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	377 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	485 FPS
medium	351 FPS	427 FPS
high	309 FPS	370 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	316 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	296 FPS
medium	248 FPS	263 FPS
high	229 FPS	248 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	215 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i5-13490F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13490F
1080p
low	488 FPS	667 FPS
medium	488 FPS	667 FPS
high	488 FPS	667 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	667 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	667 FPS
medium	488 FPS	667 FPS
high	485 FPS	667 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	596 FPS
medium	389 FPS	502 FPS
high	337 FPS	447 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	376 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i5-13490F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13490F
1080p
low	488 FPS	667 FPS
medium	488 FPS	667 FPS
high	488 FPS	667 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	667 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	667 FPS
medium	488 FPS	667 FPS
high	488 FPS	667 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	592 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	661 FPS
medium	450 FPS	585 FPS
high	391 FPS	514 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	436 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i5-13490F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i5-13490F

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.

Core i5-13490F

The Core i5-13490F 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 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 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: 26,670 points. Launch price was $235.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-13490F offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13490F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13490F — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-13490F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-13490F uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i5-13490F's 26,670 — a 30.9% lead for the Core i5-13490F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 16,500 (28.5% advantage for the Core i5-13490F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 1,844, a 8.1% lead for the Core i5-13490F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 11,200 (177.8% advantage for the Core i5-13490F). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13490F.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13490F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 16+67%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	19,532	26,670+37%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	16,500+33%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	1,844+8%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	11,200+1605%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i5-13490F 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 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and B660,B760,H610,H670,Z690,Z790 (Core i5-13490F).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13490F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i5-13490F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13490F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core i5-13490F debuted at $235. On MSRP ($174 vs $235), the Core i5-12400F is $61 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 113.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-13490F — making the Core i5-13490F the 1.1% better value option.