Core i5-13400F vs Core i7-13700K

Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023

Popular choices:

i7-13700K
VS
Intel

Core i7-13700K

16 Cores24 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

i5-13400F

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

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

  • Costs $213 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
  • Delivers 14.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-13700K.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 31,000).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-13700K

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +13.0% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 111.9 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
  • 92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Core i5-13400F?
Yes. Core i7-13700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 13.0% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 91.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 82.9% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-13700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 13.0% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700K is the better fit. You are getting 91.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-13700K is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-13700K is 108.7% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it gives you a 13.0% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400F is also 14.1% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 111.9 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-13400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i5-13400FCore i7-13700K
1080p
low171 FPS284 FPS
medium158 FPS268 FPS
high132 FPS223 FPS
ultra112 FPS190 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS238 FPS
medium123 FPS200 FPS
high99 FPS159 FPS
ultra84 FPS139 FPS
4K
low81 FPS159 FPS
medium74 FPS134 FPS
high59 FPS103 FPS
ultra46 FPS90 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-13400FCore i7-13700K
1080p
low545 FPS689 FPS
medium464 FPS580 FPS
high389 FPS484 FPS
ultra356 FPS439 FPS
1440p
low458 FPS595 FPS
medium403 FPS525 FPS
high345 FPS441 FPS
ultra301 FPS378 FPS
4K
low280 FPS348 FPS
medium247 FPS314 FPS
high231 FPS295 FPS
ultra204 FPS261 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-13400FCore i7-13700K
1080p
low530 FPS648 FPS
medium449 FPS530 FPS
high415 FPS467 FPS
ultra375 FPS405 FPS
1440p
low490 FPS591 FPS
medium422 FPS491 FPS
high382 FPS427 FPS
ultra343 FPS371 FPS
4K
low393 FPS434 FPS
medium331 FPS374 FPS
high296 FPS339 FPS
ultra246 FPS290 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-13400FCore i7-13700K
1080p
low626 FPS970 FPS
medium626 FPS883 FPS
high626 FPS766 FPS
ultra626 FPS689 FPS
1440p
low626 FPS829 FPS
medium626 FPS740 FPS
high598 FPS642 FPS
ultra521 FPS566 FPS
4K
low535 FPS567 FPS
medium492 FPS515 FPS
high439 FPS463 FPS
ultra382 FPS404 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Core i7-13700K

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i7-13700K

The Core i7-13700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 45,784 points. Launch price was $409.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-13700K offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K — a 16% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-13700K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core i7-13700K's 45,784 — a 58.6% lead for the Core i7-13700K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 31,000 (62.7% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 2,846, a 16.7% lead for the Core i7-13700K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 18,980 (49.8% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore i7-13700K
Cores / Threads
10 / 16
16 / 24+60%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
5.4 GHz+17%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.4 GHz+36%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)
30 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+60%
Process
Intel 7 nm
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
PassMark
25,029
45,784+83%
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,211
31,000+91%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,407
2,846+18%
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,408
18,980+66%
🧠

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 Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K).

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore i7-13700K
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
192 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-13700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) vs true (Core i7-13700K). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600; Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore i7-13700K
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
true
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Core i7-13700K debuted at $409. On MSRP ($196 vs $409), the Core i5-13400F is $213 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 111.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-13700K — making the Core i5-13400F the 13.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore i7-13700K
MSRP
$196-52%
$409
Performance per Dollar
127.7+14%
111.9
Release Date
2023
2022