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 $358 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅Delivers 74.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-13900E.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900E across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (11,408 vs 15,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 36 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-13900E

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +43.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+80% larger total L3 cache (36 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 73.1 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($554 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Core i9-13900E

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $358 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅Delivers 74.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-13900E.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +43.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+80% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 20 MB).
✅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 i9-13900E across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (11,408 vs 15,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 36 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($554 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900E better than Core i5-13400F?

Yes. Core i9-13900E is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 43.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 31.5% better Geekbench multi-core, 61.7% 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 i9-13900E is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 43.2% 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 i9-13900E is the better fit. You are getting 31.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 80% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core i9-13900E is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-13900E is 182.7% more expensive on MSRP at $554 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it gives you a 43.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400F is also 74.8% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13900E is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 80% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 20 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 10/16. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 i9-13900E Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-13900E
1080p
low	171 FPS	305 FPS
medium	158 FPS	288 FPS
high	132 FPS	234 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	199 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	268 FPS
medium	123 FPS	229 FPS
high	99 FPS	174 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	154 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	184 FPS
medium	74 FPS	157 FPS
high	59 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	106 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-13900E

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-13900E
1080p
low	545 FPS	412 FPS
medium	464 FPS	360 FPS
high	389 FPS	293 FPS
ultra	356 FPS	257 FPS
1440p
low	458 FPS	350 FPS
medium	403 FPS	314 FPS
high	345 FPS	261 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	210 FPS
4K
low	280 FPS	197 FPS
medium	247 FPS	179 FPS
high	231 FPS	170 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	146 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-13900E

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-13900E
1080p
low	530 FPS	1012 FPS
medium	449 FPS	1012 FPS
high	415 FPS	977 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	838 FPS
1440p
low	490 FPS	991 FPS
medium	422 FPS	881 FPS
high	382 FPS	793 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	393 FPS	599 FPS
medium	331 FPS	519 FPS
high	296 FPS	463 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	396 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-13900E

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-13900E
1080p
low	626 FPS	1012 FPS
medium	626 FPS	1012 FPS
high	626 FPS	935 FPS
ultra	626 FPS	810 FPS
1440p
low	626 FPS	1010 FPS
medium	626 FPS	881 FPS
high	598 FPS	761 FPS
ultra	521 FPS	651 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	756 FPS
medium	492 FPS	662 FPS
high	439 FPS	578 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-13900E

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Core i9-13900E

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 i9-13900E

The Core i9-13900E 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 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 40,476 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-13900E offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900E has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-13900E — a 12.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900E (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). Both are built on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core i9-13900E's 40,476 — a 47.2% lead for the Core i9-13900E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 2,606, a 7.9% lead for the Core i9-13900E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 15,000 (27.2% advantage for the Core i9-13900E). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900E.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-13900E
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	24 / 32+140%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5.2 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+39%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+80%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	25,029	40,476+62%
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407	2,606+8%
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408	15,000+31%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. 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 W680,Q670,Z790,H770 (Core i9-13900E).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-13900E
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+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i9-13900E 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 i9-13900E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-13900E
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Core i9-13900E debuted at $554. On MSRP ($196 vs $554), the Core i5-13400F is $358 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-13900E — making the Core i5-13400F the 54.4% better value option.