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 i5-12500E vs Core i5-13400T 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 i5-12500E vs Core i5-13400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-12500E

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,528 vs 16,094).
❌
1.8% HIGHER MSRP
$225 MSRPvs$221 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400T.

Core i5-13400T

2023

Why buy it

✅+28.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $4 less on MSRP ($221 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-12500E.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12500E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400T better than Core i5-12500E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-12500E is ahead with a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13400T pulls ahead with 28.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13400T is the stronger fit. You are getting 28.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-13400T is the better buy right now. Core i5-13400T comes in $4 cheaper on MSRP at $221 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you 28.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i5-12500E is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1.1% better value on MSRP (91.7 vs 90.7 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-12500E vs Core i5-13400T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-12500E

The Core i5-12500E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 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: 20,411 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-13400T

The Core i5-13400T 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 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 20,265 points. Launch price was $221.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-12500E packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-13400T offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13400T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-12500E versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-13400T — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-12500E (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i5-12500E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-13400T uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12500E scores 20,411 against the Core i5-13400T's 20,265 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-12500E. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,528 vs 16,094 (24.9% advantage for the Core i5-13400T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,168 vs 2,364, a 8.6% lead for the Core i5-13400T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,615 vs 11,135 (25.5% advantage for the Core i5-13400T). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12500E vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400T.

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Core i5-13400T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 16+67%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+2%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+123%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+11%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	20,411	20,265
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,528	16,094+28%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,168	2,364+9%
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,615	11,135+29%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i5-13400T 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: 600-series,W680 (Core i5-12500E) and Z790,B760,H770,Z690 (Core i5-13400T).

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Core i5-13400T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12500E) and Intel UHD Graphics 730 (Core i5-13400T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12500E targets Workstation, Core i5-13400T targets Energy Efficient Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-12500E rivals EPYC 7413; Core i5-13400T rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Core i5-13400T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 730
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Workstation	Energy Efficient Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12500E was priced at $225, while the Core i5-13400T came in at $221. On launch pricing ($225 vs $221), Core i5-13400T was $4 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12500E delivers 90.7 pts/$ vs 91.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-13400T — making the Core i5-13400T the 1.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-12500E	Core i5-13400T
MSRP	$225	$221-2%
Performance per Dollar	90.7	91.7+1%
Release Date	2022	2023

Search Core i5-12500E on Amazon

Search Core i5-13400T on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.