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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.0% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $146 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
✅Delivers 93.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 66.1 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-13500T.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-13500T

2023

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,028 vs 16,211).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.1 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($342 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Core i5-13500T

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.0% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $146 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
✅Delivers 93.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 66.1 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-13500T.

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,028 vs 16,211).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.1 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($342 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Core i5-13500T?

Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 28.0% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data, 47% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 10.6% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 28.0% more average FPS across 2 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13400F is the better fit. You are getting 47% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-13400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13400F is $146 cheaper on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $342 MSRP, and it gives you a 28.0% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 93.1% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 66.1 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i5-13500T is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more overall headroom and a better platform outlook.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-13400F Benchmark Check

Core i5-13500T Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13500T
1080p
low	171 FPS	172 FPS
medium	158 FPS	160 FPS
high	132 FPS	134 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	113 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	143 FPS
medium	123 FPS	124 FPS
high	99 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	84 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	81 FPS
medium	74 FPS	75 FPS
high	59 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	46 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i5-13500T

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13500T
1080p
low	545 FPS	305 FPS
medium	464 FPS	260 FPS
high	389 FPS	220 FPS
ultra	356 FPS	201 FPS
1440p
low	458 FPS	257 FPS
medium	403 FPS	227 FPS
high	345 FPS	197 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	172 FPS
4K
low	280 FPS	159 FPS
medium	247 FPS	142 FPS
high	231 FPS	134 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	119 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i5-13500T

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13500T
1080p
low	530 FPS	530 FPS
medium	449 FPS	450 FPS
high	415 FPS	416 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	375 FPS
1440p
low	490 FPS	492 FPS
medium	422 FPS	423 FPS
high	382 FPS	383 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	344 FPS
4K
low	393 FPS	393 FPS
medium	331 FPS	331 FPS
high	296 FPS	296 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	246 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i5-13500T

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13500T
1080p
low	626 FPS	566 FPS
medium	626 FPS	566 FPS
high	626 FPS	566 FPS
ultra	626 FPS	566 FPS
1440p
low	626 FPS	566 FPS
medium	626 FPS	566 FPS
high	598 FPS	566 FPS
ultra	521 FPS	507 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	528 FPS
medium	492 FPS	481 FPS
high	439 FPS	427 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	373 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i5-13500T

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Core i5-13500T

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 i5-13500T

The Core i5-13500T 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,622 points. Launch price was $232.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-13500T offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13500T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13500T — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.6 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 i5-13500T's 22,622 — a 10.1% lead for the Core i5-13400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 11,028 (38.1% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 2,278, a 5.5% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 9,900 (14.2% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500T.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13500T
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	14 / 20+40%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+56%	1.6 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	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	25,029+11%	22,622
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211+47%	11,028
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407+6%	2,278
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408+15%	9,900

🧠

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 600-series,700-series (Core i5-13500T).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13500T
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	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-13500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Core i5-13500T targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600; Core i5-13500T rivals Ryzen 7 5700X.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i5-13500T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Productivity

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Core i5-13500T debuted at $342. On MSRP ($196 vs $342), the Core i5-13400F is $146 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 66.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-13500T — making the Core i5-13400F the 63.5% better value option.