Core i5-13400F vs EPYC 7252

Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Core family
·······
VS
AMD

EPYC 7252

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2019
EPYC family
·······

Core i5-13400F vs EPYC 7252 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 EPYC 7252 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 EPYC 7252: 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

  • Better for gaming: +15.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike EPYC 7252.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while EPYC 7252 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

EPYC 7252

2019

Why buy it

  • +60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (19,411 vs 25,029).
  • 84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.
  • Older platform position on SP3 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 EPYC 7252?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7252 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-13400F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.8% 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 i5-13400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 28.9% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-13400F is the better buy right now. Core i5-13400F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $196 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-13400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of SP3, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400F vs EPYC 7252 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.

AMD

EPYC 7252

The EPYC 7252 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 19,411 points. Launch price was $475.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the EPYC 7252 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 3.2 GHz on the EPYC 7252 — a 35.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 7252 uses Zen 2 (2017−2020) (7 nm, 14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the EPYC 7252's 19,411 — a 25.3% lead for the Core i5-13400F. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7252.

FeatureCore i5-13400FEPYC 7252
Cores / Threads
10 / 16+25%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+44%
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+60%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+150%
512 kB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm, 14 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Zen 2 (2017−2020)
PassMark
25,029+29%
19,411
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 EPYC 7252 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-13400FEPYC 7252
Socket
LGA1700
SP3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) / not specified (EPYC 7252). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

FeatureCore i5-13400FEPYC 7252
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming