Core i5-13400 vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core i5-13400

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Core i5-13400 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 Ryzen 7 3700X 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 Ryzen 7 3700X: 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

  • +6% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $108 less on MSRP ($221 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Delivers 57.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 107.6 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($221 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +20.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 23,769).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.2 vs 107.6 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $221 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400 better than Ryzen 7 3700X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 3700X is ahead with a 20.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13400 pulls ahead with 6% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 3700X also has the bigger cache pool with 60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
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 6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads.
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 $108 cheaper on MSRP at $221 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it still gives you 6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 7 3700X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 20.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 57.8% better value on MSRP (107.6 vs 68.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 7 3700X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.
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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400 packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X 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 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400 (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 Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400 scores 23,769 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 5.8% lead for the Core i5-13400. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore i5-13400Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
10 / 16+25%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+5%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)
32 MB+60%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
23,769+6%
22,430
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-13400Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket
LGA1700
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13400 was priced at $221, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($221 vs $329), Core i5-13400 was $108 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400 delivers 107.6 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Core i5-13400 the 44.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-13400Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$221-33%
$329
Performance per Dollar
107.6+58%
68.2
Release Date
2023
2019

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