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 i5-13400F 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 i5-13400F 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 i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $39 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).
✅Delivers 12.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 113.5 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13490F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 16,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).

Core i5-13490F

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 113.5 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($235 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13490F better than Core i5-13400F?

Yes. Core i5-13490F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 6.6% higher 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 i5-13490F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.5% 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 1.8% 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 i5-13400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-13490F comes in 19.9% more expensive on MSRP at $235 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400F is also 12.5% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 113.5 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13400F vs Core i5-13490F Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-13400F

The Core i5-13400F 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, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 25,029 points. Launch price was $196.

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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-13400F and Core i5-13490F share an identical 10-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13490F — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13490F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). Both are built on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core i5-13490F's 26,670 — a 6.3% lead for the Core i5-13490F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 16,500 (1.8% advantage for the Core i5-13490F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 1,844, a 26.5% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 11,200 (1.8% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13490F.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13490F
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	10 / 16
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	25,029	26,670+7%
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	16,500+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407+31%	1,844
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408+2%	11,200

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and B660,B760,H610,H670,Z690,Z790 (Core i5-13490F).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13490F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13490F). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Core i5-13490F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13490F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13400F was priced at $196, while the Core i5-13490F came in at $235. On launch pricing ($196 vs $235), Core i5-13400F was $39 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 113.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-13490F — making the Core i5-13400F the 11.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13490F
MSRP	$196-17%	$235
Performance per Dollar	127.7+13%	113.5
Release Date	2023	2023

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