Core i5-13400F vs Core i7-640M

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 i7-640M 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 i7-640M: 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

✅Better for gaming: +328.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+400% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of PGA988 and older memory support.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-640M.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while Core i7-640M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-640M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-640M

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,092 vs 25,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Older platform position on PGA988, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Core i7-640M?

Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 328.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1096.4% better 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 i5-13400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 328.5% 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 i5-13400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 1096.4% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 400% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i5-13400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-13400F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $196 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 328.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-13400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2010), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of PGA988, 400% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400F vs Core i7-640M 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 i7-640M

The Core i7-640M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,092 points. Launch price was $346.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-640M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-640M — a 28.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-640M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core i7-640M's 2,092 — a 169.1% lead for the Core i5-13400F. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640M.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-640M
Cores / Threads	10 / 16+400%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+33%	3.46 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+400%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	25,029+1096%	2,092
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-640M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus 1066 on the Core i7-640M — the Core i5-13400F supports 350.3% 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 8 GB — 2300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 16 (Core i7-640M) — 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 HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i7-640M).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-640M
Socket	LGA1700	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+350%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+2300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) vs true (Core i7-640M). The Core i7-640M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), 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 i7-640M rivals Core 2 Duo T9600.