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

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-12950HX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12950HX across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 23,113).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while Core i9-12950HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Core i9-12950HX

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Core i9-12950HX

2022

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-12950HX.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12950HX across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 23,113).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while Core i9-12950HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12950HX better than Core i5-13400F?

Yes. Core i9-12950HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 7.5% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 42.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 25.8% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12950HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 7.5% 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 i9-12950HX is the better fit. You are getting 42.6% 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 i9-12950HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-12950HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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.

Core i5-13400F Benchmark Check

Core i9-12950HX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12950HX
1080p
low	171 FPS	269 FPS
medium	158 FPS	259 FPS
high	132 FPS	214 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	184 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	230 FPS
medium	123 FPS	198 FPS
high	99 FPS	159 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	140 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	159 FPS
medium	74 FPS	136 FPS
high	59 FPS	106 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	93 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-12950HX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12950HX
1080p
low	545 FPS	613 FPS
medium	464 FPS	523 FPS
high	389 FPS	439 FPS
ultra	356 FPS	397 FPS
1440p
low	458 FPS	528 FPS
medium	403 FPS	470 FPS
high	345 FPS	397 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	340 FPS
4K
low	280 FPS	311 FPS
medium	247 FPS	281 FPS
high	231 FPS	266 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	232 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-12950HX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12950HX
1080p
low	530 FPS	775 FPS
medium	449 FPS	616 FPS
high	415 FPS	545 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	462 FPS
1440p
low	490 FPS	692 FPS
medium	422 FPS	554 FPS
high	382 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	416 FPS
4K
low	393 FPS	498 FPS
medium	331 FPS	416 FPS
high	296 FPS	373 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	314 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-12950HX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12950HX
1080p
low	626 FPS	787 FPS
medium	626 FPS	783 FPS
high	626 FPS	676 FPS
ultra	626 FPS	600 FPS
1440p
low	626 FPS	744 FPS
medium	626 FPS	659 FPS
high	598 FPS	569 FPS
ultra	521 FPS	496 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	523 FPS
medium	492 FPS	474 FPS
high	439 FPS	421 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	366 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-12950HX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Core i9-12950HX

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 i9-12950HX

The Core i9-12950HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,494 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-12950HX offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12950HX has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-12950HX — a 8.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-12950HX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-12950HX uses Alder Lake-HX (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core i9-12950HX's 31,494 — a 22.9% lead for the Core i9-12950HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 23,113 (35.1% advantage for the Core i9-12950HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 2,349, a 2.4% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 15,711 (31.7% advantage for the Core i9-12950HX). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12950HX.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12950HX
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	16 / 24+60%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+9%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+50%
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)	Alder Lake-HX (2022)
PassMark	25,029	31,494+26%
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	23,113+43%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407+2%	2,349
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408	15,711+38%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-12950HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. 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. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and HM670,WM690 (Core i9-12950HX).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12950HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-12950HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12950HX). The Core i9-12950HX includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Core i9-12950HX targets Mobile Workstation Flagship. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600; Core i9-12950HX rivals Ryzen 9 6980HX.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12950HX
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Mobile Workstation Flagship