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 $1,803 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 761.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-7980XE.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (25,029 vs 29,634).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).

Core i9-7980XE

2017

Why buy it

✅+18.4% higher PassMark.
✅+23.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Core i9-7980XE

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,803 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 761.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-7980XE.

Why buy it

✅+18.4% higher PassMark.
✅+23.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (25,029 vs 29,634).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, 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 i9-7980XE?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i5-13400F is ahead with 4.5% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7980XE pulls ahead with 18.4% better PassMark. Core i9-7980XE also has the bigger cache pool with 23.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7980XE is the better fit. You are getting 18.4% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 23.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 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 $1,803 cheaper on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $1,999 MSRP, and it gives you 4.5% higher max boost clock. The trade-off is that Core i9-7980XE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 18.4% better PassMark. It is also 761.4% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 14.8 PassMark/$), 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 2017) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. 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 i9-7980XE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-7980XE
1080p
low	171 FPS	167 FPS
medium	158 FPS	147 FPS
high	132 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	97 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	140 FPS
medium	123 FPS	120 FPS
high	99 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	78 FPS
medium	74 FPS	71 FPS
high	59 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-7980XE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-7980XE
1080p
low	545 FPS	470 FPS
medium	464 FPS	405 FPS
high	389 FPS	355 FPS
ultra	356 FPS	321 FPS
1440p
low	458 FPS	411 FPS
medium	403 FPS	361 FPS
high	345 FPS	319 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	277 FPS
4K
low	280 FPS	265 FPS
medium	247 FPS	232 FPS
high	231 FPS	220 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	190 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-7980XE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-7980XE
1080p
low	530 FPS	636 FPS
medium	449 FPS	530 FPS
high	415 FPS	480 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	417 FPS
1440p
low	490 FPS	567 FPS
medium	422 FPS	479 FPS
high	382 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	377 FPS
4K
low	393 FPS	431 FPS
medium	331 FPS	354 FPS
high	296 FPS	319 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	262 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-7980XE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-7980XE
1080p
low	626 FPS	741 FPS
medium	626 FPS	741 FPS
high	626 FPS	697 FPS
ultra	626 FPS	614 FPS
1440p
low	626 FPS	741 FPS
medium	626 FPS	680 FPS
high	598 FPS	578 FPS
ultra	521 FPS	501 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	532 FPS
medium	492 FPS	479 FPS
high	439 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	365 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-7980XE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Core i9-7980XE

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 i9-7980XE

The Core i9-7980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 29,634 points. Launch price was $1,999.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-7980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Core i9-7980XE has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-7980XE uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core i9-7980XE's 29,634 — a 16.8% lead for the Core i9-7980XE. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-7980XE
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	18 / 36+80%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+5%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	24.75 MB (total)+24%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	25,029	29,634+18%
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-7980XE uses LGA2066 (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 i9-7980XE — 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. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13400F) vs 4 (Core i9-7980XE). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 44 (Core i9-7980XE) — the Core i9-7980XE offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-7980XE
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2066
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	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	44+120%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-7980XE has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-7980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-7980XE
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Core i9-7980XE debuted at $1999. On MSRP ($196 vs $1999), the Core i5-13400F is $1803 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 14.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-7980XE — making the Core i5-13400F the 158.4% better value option.