Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-13700T

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i7-13700T

16 Cores24 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2023
Core family
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Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-13700T Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i7-13700T 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 i7-13700T: 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

  • +6.6% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • Costs $210 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
  • Delivers 54.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 72.6 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-13700T.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 30 MB).
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-13700T

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +11.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,611 vs 12,380).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 72.6 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700T better than Core i5-12400F?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-13700T is ahead with a 11.1% 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 6.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i7-13700T also has the bigger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 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 6.6% 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 i7-13700T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-13700T comes in 120.7% more expensive on MSRP at $384 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-12400F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 6.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-12400F is also 54.6% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 72.6 PassMark/$), 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 i7-13700T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-12400F vs Core i7-13700T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i7-13700T

The Core i7-13700T 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 27,890 points. Launch price was $384.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-13700T offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700T has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-13700T — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-13700T uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i7-13700T's 27,890 — a 35.2% lead for the Core i7-13700T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 11,611 (6.4% advantage for the Core i5-12400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,537, a 39.5% lead for the Core i7-13700T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 15,020 (183.2% advantage for the Core i7-13700T). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700T.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-13700T
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
16 / 24+167%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+79%
1.4 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-S (2023−2024)
PassMark
19,532
27,890+43%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380+7%
11,611
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700
2,537+49%
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
15,020+2186%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700T — the Core i7-13700T supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13700T 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 Z790,B760,H770,H710 (Core i7-13700T).

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-13700T
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
DDR5-5600+17%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
192 GB+50%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-13700T). The Core i7-13700T includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i7-13700T targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Core i7-13700T rivals Ryzen 7 7700.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-13700T
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD 770
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core i7-13700T came in at $384. On launch pricing ($174 vs $384), Core i5-12400F was $210 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 72.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-13700T — making the Core i5-12400F the 42.9% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FCore i7-13700T
MSRP
$174-55%
$384
Performance per Dollar
112.3+55%
72.6
Release Date
2022
2023

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