Core i5-13400F vs Core Ultra 7 265T

Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core Ultra 7 265T

20 Cores20 Thrd35 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2025
Core Ultra family
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Core i5-13400F vs Core Ultra 7 265T Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 Ultra 7 265T 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 Ultra 7 265T: 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

  • Costs $188 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
  • Delivers 20.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 105.9 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 265T.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 265T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 34,000).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 265T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 7 265T

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +15.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG 4-core), while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 105.9 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 265T better than Core i5-13400F?
Yes. Core Ultra 7 265T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 109.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 62.5% higher 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 Ultra 7 265T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.7% 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 Ultra 7 265T is the stronger fit. You are getting 109.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 20 threads. It also has 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 Ultra 7 265T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 7 265T comes in 95.9% more expensive on MSRP at $384 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400F is also 20.5% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 105.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i5-13400F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 7 265T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023), 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 20 threads instead of 10/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400F vs Core Ultra 7 265T Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

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.

Intel

Core Ultra 7 265T

The Core Ultra 7 265T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 40,681 points. Launch price was $384.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 265T offers 20 cores / 20 threads — the Core Ultra 7 265T has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 5.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265T — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 265T uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core Ultra 7 265T's 40,681 — a 47.6% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 34,000 (70.9% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 2,954, a 20.4% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 16,455 (36.2% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265T). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 265T.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore Ultra 7 265T
Cores / Threads
10 / 16
20 / 20+100%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
5.3 GHz+15%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+67%
1.5 GHz
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)
30 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
3 MB (per core)+140%
Process
Intel 7 nm
3 nm-57%
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark
25,029
40,681+63%
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,211
34,000+110%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,407
2,954+23%
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,408
16,455+44%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 265T uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 265T — the Core Ultra 7 265T supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 24 (Core Ultra 7 265T) — the Core Ultra 7 265T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and Z890,H870,B860 (Core Ultra 7 265T).

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore Ultra 7 265T
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1851
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
192 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 7 265T has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core Ultra 7 265T includes integrated graphics (Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG 4-core)), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Core Ultra 7 265T targets High End Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore Ultra 7 265T
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG 4-core)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
High End Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13400F was priced at $196, while the Core Ultra 7 265T came in at $384. On launch pricing ($196 vs $384), Core i5-13400F was $188 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 105.9 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 265T — making the Core i5-13400F the 18.6% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore Ultra 7 265T
MSRP
$196-49%
$384
Performance per Dollar
127.7+21%
105.9
Release Date
2023
2025

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