Core i5-13400 vs Core i7-11700KF

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 i5-13400 vs Core i7-11700KF 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 i5-13400 vs Core i7-11700KF: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13400

2023

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $153 less on MSRP ($221 MSRP vs $374 MSRP).
✅Delivers 68.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 107.6 vs 63.7 PassMark/$ ($221 MSRP vs $374 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (23,769 vs 23,811).

Core i7-11700KF

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 63.7 vs 107.6 PassMark/$ ($374 MSRP vs $221 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11700KF better than Core i5-13400?

Yes. Core i7-11700KF is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 22.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-11700KF is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 22.4% 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 i7-11700KF is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-11700KF is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-11700KF comes in 69.2% more expensive on MSRP at $374 MSRP versus $221 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400 is also 68.9% better value on MSRP (107.6 vs 63.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i5-13400 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core i5-13400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400 vs Core i7-11700KF Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-13400

The Core i5-13400 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: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 23,769 points. Launch price was $221.

Core i7-11700KF

The Core i7-11700KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 23,811 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400 packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-11700KF offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400 versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-11700KF — a 8.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700KF (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-13400 uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-11700KF uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400 scores 23,769 against the Core i7-11700KF's 23,811 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-11700KF. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400 vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700KF.

Feature	Core i5-13400	Core i7-11700KF
Cores / Threads	10 / 16+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+25%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	23,769	23,811
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	15,011
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,287
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,874

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-11700KF uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-13400	Core i7-11700KF
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-13400) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-11700KF).

Feature	Core i5-13400	Core i7-11700KF
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13400 was priced at $221, while the Core i7-11700KF came in at $374. On launch pricing ($221 vs $374), Core i5-13400 was $153 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400 delivers 107.6 pts/$ vs 63.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-11700KF — making the Core i5-13400 the 51.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13400	Core i7-11700KF
MSRP	$221-41%	$374
Performance per Dollar	107.6+69%	63.7
Release Date	2023	2021

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