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 $425 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-13900K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 40,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 36 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-13900K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.3% higher average FPS across 4 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 97.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Core i9-13900K

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $425 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-13900K.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.3% higher average FPS across 4 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

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 40,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 36 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 97.5 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i9-13900K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 34.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 223.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 198.9% 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 i9-13900K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 34.3% 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 i9-13900K is the better fit. You are getting 223.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also carries 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 i9-13900K is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-13900K is 244.3% more expensive on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it gives you a 34.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 15.2% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core i9-13900K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 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 i9-13900K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-13900K
1080p
low	183 FPS	325 FPS
medium	168 FPS	314 FPS
high	139 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	211 FPS
1440p
low	153 FPS	281 FPS
medium	132 FPS	241 FPS
high	106 FPS	179 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	87 FPS	194 FPS
medium	81 FPS	165 FPS
high	64 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	112 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i9-13900K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-13900K
1080p
low	471 FPS	756 FPS
medium	397 FPS	658 FPS
high	341 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	474 FPS
1440p
low	407 FPS	635 FPS
medium	351 FPS	573 FPS
high	309 FPS	472 FPS
ultra	265 FPS	390 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	355 FPS
medium	248 FPS	324 FPS
high	229 FPS	304 FPS
ultra	196 FPS	270 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i9-13900K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-13900K
1080p
low	488 FPS	765 FPS
medium	488 FPS	628 FPS
high	488 FPS	545 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	468 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	683 FPS
medium	488 FPS	570 FPS
high	485 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	434 FPS	426 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	503 FPS
medium	389 FPS	441 FPS
high	337 FPS	394 FPS
ultra	274 FPS	336 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i9-13900K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-13900K
1080p
low	488 FPS	1034 FPS
medium	488 FPS	926 FPS
high	488 FPS	812 FPS
ultra	488 FPS	722 FPS
1440p
low	488 FPS	859 FPS
medium	488 FPS	757 FPS
high	488 FPS	663 FPS
ultra	473 FPS	582 FPS
4K
low	488 FPS	634 FPS
medium	450 FPS	568 FPS
high	391 FPS	503 FPS
ultra	330 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i5-12400F Open Core i9-13900K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12400F and Core i9-13900K

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 i9-13900K

The Core i9-13900K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 58,373 points. Launch price was $589.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-13900K offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900K has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.7 GHz on the Core i9-13900K — a 25.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900K (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-13900K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Core i9-13900K's 58,373 — a 99.7% lead for the Core i9-13900K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 40,000 (105.5% advantage for the Core i9-13900K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 2,985, a 54.9% lead for the Core i9-13900K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 19,967 (187.3% advantage for the Core i9-13900K). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900K.

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-13900K
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	24 / 32+300%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.7 GHz+30%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
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	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
PassMark	19,532	58,373+199%
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,380	40,000+223%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,700	2,985+76%
Geekbench 6 Multi	657	19,967+2939%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i9-13900K 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 Intel Z790,Intel Z690 (Core i9-13900K).

Feature	Core i5-12400F	Core i9-13900K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-5600
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 true (Core i9-13900K). The Core i9-13900K 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 i9-13900K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.

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

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12400F launched at $174 MSRP, while the Core i9-13900K debuted at $599. On MSRP ($174 vs $599), the Core i5-12400F is $425 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 97.5 pts/$ for the Core i9-13900K — making the Core i5-12400F the 14.1% better value option.