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 i9-13900E 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 i9-13900E: 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 $380 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅Delivers 53.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-13900E.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (657 vs 15,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 36 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-13900E

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +33.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-12400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($554 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900E better than Core i5-12400F?

Yes. Core i9-13900E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 33.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2183.1% better Geekbench multi-core, 107.2% higher 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 i9-13900E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 33.1% 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 i9-13900E is the stronger fit. You are getting 2183.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i9-13900E is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-13900E comes in 218.4% more expensive on MSRP at $554 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 33.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 53.6% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13900E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), 100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 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 i9-13900E 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 i9-13900E

The Core i9-13900E 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 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 36 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: 40,476 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-13900E offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900E has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-13900E — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900E (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-13900E uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i9-13900E's 40,476 — a 69.8% lead for the Core i9-13900E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,606, a 42.1% lead for the Core i9-13900E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 15,000 (183.2% advantage for the Core i9-13900E). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900E.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-13900E
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	24 / 32+300%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.2 GHz+18%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+39%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	19,532	40,476+107%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	2,606+53%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	15,000+2183%

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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 i9-13900E — the Core i9-13900E supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. 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 W680,Q670,Z790,H770 (Core i9-13900E).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-13900E
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	128 GB
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 i9-13900E). The Core i9-13900E includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Core i9-13900E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-13900E
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Performance/Value	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Core i9-13900E came in at $554. On launch pricing ($174 vs $554), Core i5-12400F was $380 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-13900E — making the Core i5-12400F the 42.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-13900E
MSRP	$174-69%	$554
Performance per Dollar	112.3+54%	73.1
Release Date	2022	2023

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