Core i5-13400 vs Core i9-7920X

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 i9-7920X 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 i9-7920X: 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

✅Better for gaming: +13.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+21.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 17 MB).
✅Costs $978 less on MSRP ($221 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 448.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 107.6 vs 19.6 PassMark/$ ($221 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i9-7920X

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (23,508 vs 23,769).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (17 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.6 vs 107.6 PassMark/$ ($1,199 MSRP vs $221 MSRP).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400 better than Core i9-7920X?

Yes. Core i5-13400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% 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 i5-13400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.7% 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 i5-13400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 21.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 17 MB).

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

Core i5-13400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-13400 comes in $978 cheaper on MSRP at $221 MSRP versus $1,199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 448.6% better value on MSRP (107.6 vs 19.6 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, 21.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 17 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 12/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400 vs Core i9-7920X 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 i9-7920X

The Core i9-7920X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 23,508 points. Launch price was $1,199.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400 packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-7920X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-7920X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7920X — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-13400 uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-7920X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400 scores 23,769 against the Core i9-7920X's 23,508 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-13400. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400 vs 16.5 MB (total) on the Core i9-7920X.

Feature	Core i5-13400	Core i9-7920X
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	12 / 24+20%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+5%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.9 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+21%	16.5 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	23,769+1%	23,508

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-7920X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-13400	Core i9-7920X
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13400 was priced at $221, while the Core i9-7920X came in at $1199. On launch pricing ($221 vs $1199), Core i5-13400 was $978 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400 delivers 107.6 pts/$ vs 19.6 pts/$ for the Core i9-7920X — making the Core i5-13400 the 138.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13400	Core i9-7920X
MSRP	$221-82%	$1199
Performance per Dollar	107.6+449%	19.6
Release Date	2023	2017

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