Core i5-13400F vs Core i7-3770S

Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Core i7-3770S

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2012

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

  • Better for gaming: +182.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Costs $54 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
  • Delivers 417.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 24.7 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1155 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3770S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-3770S

2012

Why buy it

  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (4,500 vs 16,211).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.7 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1155, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Core i7-3770S?
Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 182.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 260.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 305.5% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, 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 182.5% more average FPS across 4 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 260.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-13400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13400F is $54 cheaper on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it gives you a 182.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 417.2% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 24.7 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2012), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1155, 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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 i7-3770S
1080p
low171 FPS154 FPS
medium158 FPS140 FPS
high132 FPS111 FPS
ultra112 FPS89 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS142 FPS
medium123 FPS118 FPS
high99 FPS92 FPS
ultra84 FPS73 FPS
4K
low81 FPS65 FPS
medium74 FPS57 FPS
high59 FPS45 FPS
ultra46 FPS35 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-13400FCore i7-3770S
1080p
low545 FPS154 FPS
medium464 FPS154 FPS
high389 FPS154 FPS
ultra356 FPS123 FPS
1440p
low458 FPS154 FPS
medium403 FPS149 FPS
high345 FPS137 FPS
ultra301 FPS111 FPS
4K
low280 FPS133 FPS
medium247 FPS121 FPS
high231 FPS100 FPS
ultra204 FPS75 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-13400FCore i7-3770S
1080p
low530 FPS154 FPS
medium449 FPS154 FPS
high415 FPS154 FPS
ultra375 FPS154 FPS
1440p
low490 FPS154 FPS
medium422 FPS154 FPS
high382 FPS154 FPS
ultra343 FPS154 FPS
4K
low393 FPS154 FPS
medium331 FPS154 FPS
high296 FPS154 FPS
ultra246 FPS154 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-13400FCore i7-3770S
1080p
low626 FPS154 FPS
medium626 FPS154 FPS
high626 FPS154 FPS
ultra626 FPS154 FPS
1440p
low626 FPS154 FPS
medium626 FPS154 FPS
high598 FPS154 FPS
ultra521 FPS154 FPS
4K
low535 FPS154 FPS
medium492 FPS154 FPS
high439 FPS154 FPS
ultra382 FPS154 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Core i7-3770S

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 i7-3770S

The Core i7-3770S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,173 points. Launch price was $330.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-3770S offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3770S — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-3770S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core i7-3770S's 6,173 — a 120.9% lead for the Core i5-13400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 4,500 (113.1% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 694, a 110.5% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 2,303 (132.8% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-3770S.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore i7-3770S
Cores / Threads
10 / 16+150%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+18%
3.9 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)+150%
8192 kB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
256 kB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-68%
22 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
25,029+305%
6,173
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,211+260%
4,500
Geekbench 6 Single
2,407+247%
694
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,408+395%
2,303
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-3770S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3770S — the Core i5-13400F supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13400F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 16 (Core i7-3770S) — the Core i5-13400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and Z77,H77,B75,Z68,P67,H67 (Core i7-3770S).

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore i7-3770S
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1155
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB+500%
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-3770S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Core i7-3770S targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore i7-3770S
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Core i7-3770S debuted at $250. On MSRP ($196 vs $250), the Core i5-13400F is $54 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 24.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-3770S — making the Core i5-13400F the 135.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore i7-3770S
MSRP
$196-22%
$250
Performance per Dollar
127.7+417%
24.7
Release Date
2023
2012