Core i5-13400E vs Core i5-13490F

Intel

Core i5-13400E

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i5-13490F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023
Core family
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Core i5-13400E vs Core i5-13490F 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 i5-13400E vs Core i5-13490F 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 i5-13400E vs Core i5-13490F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13400E

2023

Why buy it

  • Costs $14 less on MSRP ($221 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 730, while Core i5-13490F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13490F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,953 vs 16,500).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).

Core i5-13490F

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

  • 6.3% HIGHER MSRP
    $235 MSRPvs$221 MSRP
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13400E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13490F better than Core i5-13400E?
Yes. Core i5-13490F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 i5-13490F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.0% 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 i5-13490F is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-13490F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400E is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-13490F comes in 6.3% more expensive on MSRP at $235 MSRP versus $221 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400E is also 7.7% better value on MSRP (122.2 vs 113.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-13490F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-13400E vs Core i5-13490F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-13400E

The Core i5-13400E 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 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: 27,000 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core i5-13490F

The Core i5-13490F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 February 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 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 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: 26,670 points. Launch price was $235.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-13400E and Core i5-13490F share an identical 10-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400E versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13490F — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13490F (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). Both are built on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture using a 10 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-13400E scores 27,000 against the Core i5-13490F's 26,670 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-13400E. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,953 vs 16,500 (3.4% advantage for the Core i5-13490F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,375 vs 1,844, a 25.2% lead for the Core i5-13400E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,977 vs 11,200 (11.6% advantage for the Core i5-13490F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400E vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13490F.

FeatureCore i5-13400ECore i5-13490F
Cores / Threads
10 / 16
10 / 16
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
2.5 GHz+4%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)
24 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
10 nm
10 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark
27,000+1%
26,670
Cinebench R23 Multi
15,953
16,500+3%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,375+29%
1,844
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,977
11,200+12%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i5-13490F 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: B760,H770,Z790,H610,Q670 (Core i5-13400E) and B660,B760,H610,H670,Z690,Z790 (Core i5-13490F).

FeatureCore i5-13400ECore i5-13490F
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
No
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i5-13400E includes integrated graphics (UHD 730), while the Core i5-13490F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400E targets Productivity, Core i5-13490F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400E rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

FeatureCore i5-13400ECore i5-13490F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD 730
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Productivity
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13400E was priced at $221, while the Core i5-13490F came in at $235. On launch pricing ($221 vs $235), Core i5-13400E was $14 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400E delivers 122.2 pts/$ vs 113.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-13490F — making the Core i5-13400E the 7.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-13400ECore i5-13490F
MSRP
$221-6%
$235
Performance per Dollar
122.2+8%
113.5
Release Date
2023
2023

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