Core i5-12450HX vs Core i5-13400F

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 i5-12450HX vs Core i5-13400F 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 i5-12450HX vs Core i5-13400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12450HX

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,064 vs 25,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12450HX.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while Core i5-12450HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12450HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Core i5-12450HX?

Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 38.6% 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 i5-13400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.3% 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 i5-13400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 38.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i5-13400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-13400F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $196 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-13400F 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 (20 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12450HX vs Core i5-13400F Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12450HX

The Core i5-12450HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 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: 18,064 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-13400F

The Core i5-13400F 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 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 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, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 25,029 points. Launch price was $196.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-12450HX packs 8 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-13400F offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12450HX versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12450HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-13400F uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12450HX scores 18,064 against the Core i5-13400F's 25,029 — a 32.3% lead for the Core i5-13400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,150 vs 2,407, a 11.3% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-12450HX vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F.

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Core i5-13400F
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	10 / 16+25%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.5 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	18,064	25,029+39%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	16,211
Geekbench 6 Single	2,150	2,407+12%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,408

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12450HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-13400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i5-13400F 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. PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i5-12450HX) vs 20 (Core i5-13400F) — the Core i5-12450HX offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i5-12450HX) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F).

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Core i5-13400F
Socket	FCBGA1964	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	48+140%	20

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-12450HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12450HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F). The Core i5-12450HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12450HX targets Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop, Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12450HX rivals Ryzen 5 7645HX; Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-12450HX	Core i5-13400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen	—
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Workstation/Enthusiast Laptop	Gaming