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: +108.8% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $127 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
✅Delivers 288.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700T

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,618 vs 25,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.9 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($323 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Core i7-9700T

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +108.8% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $127 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
✅Delivers 288.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,618 vs 25,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.9 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($323 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Core i7-9700T?

Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 108.8% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 135.7% better 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 108.8% 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 i5-13400F is the better fit. You are getting 135.7% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 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 $127 cheaper on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $323 MSRP, and it gives you a 108.8% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 288.5% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 32.9 PassMark/$), 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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/8. 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.

Core i5-13400F Benchmark Check

Core i7-9700T Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-9700T
1080p
low	171 FPS	171 FPS
medium	158 FPS	147 FPS
high	132 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	99 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	146 FPS
medium	123 FPS	122 FPS
high	99 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	82 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	79 FPS
medium	74 FPS	72 FPS
high	59 FPS	57 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i7-9700T

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-9700T
1080p
low	545 FPS	163 FPS
medium	464 FPS	144 FPS
high	389 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	356 FPS	120 FPS
1440p
low	458 FPS	147 FPS
medium	403 FPS	132 FPS
high	345 FPS	124 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	110 FPS
4K
low	280 FPS	119 FPS
medium	247 FPS	109 FPS
high	231 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	91 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i7-9700T

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-9700T
1080p
low	530 FPS	265 FPS
medium	449 FPS	265 FPS
high	415 FPS	265 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	265 FPS
1440p
low	490 FPS	265 FPS
medium	422 FPS	265 FPS
high	382 FPS	265 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	265 FPS
4K
low	393 FPS	265 FPS
medium	331 FPS	265 FPS
high	296 FPS	265 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	218 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i7-9700T

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-9700T
1080p
low	626 FPS	265 FPS
medium	626 FPS	265 FPS
high	626 FPS	265 FPS
ultra	626 FPS	265 FPS
1440p
low	626 FPS	265 FPS
medium	626 FPS	265 FPS
high	598 FPS	265 FPS
ultra	521 FPS	265 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	265 FPS
medium	492 FPS	265 FPS
high	439 FPS	265 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	265 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i7-9700T

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Core i7-9700T

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 i7-9700T

The Core i7-9700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,618 points. Launch price was $323.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-9700T offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i7-9700T — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-9700T uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core i7-9700T's 10,618 — a 80.9% lead for the Core i5-13400F. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700T.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-9700T
Cores / Threads	10 / 16+25%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+7%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+67%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	25,029+136%	10,618
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 i7-9700T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700T — the Core i5-13400F supports 22.2% 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 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 16 (Core i7-9700T) — the Core i5-13400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-9700T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 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 i7-9700T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Core i7-9700T targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-9700T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700T debuted at $323. On MSRP ($196 vs $323), the Core i5-13400F is $127 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 32.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700T — making the Core i5-13400F the 118.1% better value option.