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 i5-12400F vs Core i5-13500T 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 i5-12400F vs Core i5-13500T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

✅+12.3% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $168 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
✅Delivers 69.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 66.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-13500T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,700 vs 2,278).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-13500T

2023

Why buy it

✅+34% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,028 vs 12,380).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($342 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13500T better than Core i5-12400F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-13500T is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F pulls ahead with 12.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-13500T also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-13500T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-13500T comes in 96.6% more expensive on MSRP at $342 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-12400F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 12.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-12400F is also 69.7% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 66.1 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-13500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13500T Technical Specifications

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

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 i5-13500T

The Core i5-13500T 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 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,622 points. Launch price was $232.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-13500T offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13500T has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13500T — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-13500T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-13500T uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i5-13500T's 22,622 — a 14.7% lead for the Core i5-13500T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 11,028 (11.6% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,278, a 29.1% lead for the Core i5-13500T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 9,900 (175.1% advantage for the Core i5-13500T). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500T.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13500T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	14 / 20+133%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+56%	1.6 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	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	19,532	22,622+16%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380+12%	11,028
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	2,278+34%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	9,900+1407%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i5-13500T 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: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and 600-series,700-series (Core i5-13500T).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13500T
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	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13500T). The Core i5-13500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i5-13500T targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i5-13500T rivals Ryzen 7 5700X.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13500T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Productivity

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core i5-13500T came in at $342. On launch pricing ($174 vs $342), Core i5-12400F was $168 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 66.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-13500T — making the Core i5-12400F the 51.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i5-13500T
MSRP	$174-49%	$342
Performance per Dollar	112.3+70%	66.1
Release Date	2022	2023

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