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 i7-13700HX 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 i7-13700HX: 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

✅Costs $311 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
✅Delivers 69.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-13700HX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,532 vs 32,157).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 30 MB).
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-13700HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.3 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($485 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700HX better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core i7-13700HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 64.6% better 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 i7-13700HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.2% 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 i7-13700HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 64.6% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i7-13700HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-13700HX comes in 178.7% more expensive on MSRP at $485 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 69.3% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 66.3 PassMark/$), 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 i7-13700HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-13700HX 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 i7-13700HX

The Core i7-13700HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,157 points. Launch price was $485.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-13700HX offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700HX has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-13700HX — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700HX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-13700HX uses Raptor Lake-HX (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-13700HX's 32,157 — a 48.8% lead for the Core i7-13700HX. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700HX.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-13700HX
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	16 / 24+167%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
PassMark	19,532	32,157+65%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-13700HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i7-13700HX 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 Mobile (Core i7-13700HX).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-13700HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1964
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 i7-13700HX). The Core i7-13700HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-13700HX
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core i7-13700HX came in at $485. On launch pricing ($174 vs $485), Core i5-12400F was $311 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 66.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-13700HX — making the Core i5-12400F the 51.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i7-13700HX
MSRP	$174-64%	$485
Performance per Dollar	112.3+69%	66.3
Release Date	2022	2023

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