Core i5-13400F vs M2 Pro 10-Core

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 M2 Pro 10-Core 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 M2 Pro 10-Core: 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: +8.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike M2 Pro 10-Core.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while M2 Pro 10-Core mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌80.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 36W.

M2 Pro 10-Core

2023

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 36W instead of 65W, a 29W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,939 vs 25,029).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than M2 Pro 10-Core?

Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 14.1% better 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 i5-13400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.0% 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 14.1% 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 $196 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible none + DDR5 setup, M2 Pro 10-Core 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 i5-13400F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/10. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-13400F vs M2 Pro 10-Core Technical Specifications

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

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.

M2 Pro 10-Core

The M2 Pro 10-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 17 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.42 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 36 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 36 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,939 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, matching the M2 Pro 10-Core's 10 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 3.7 GHz on the M2 Pro 10-Core — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.42 GHz). The Core i5-13400F is built on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the M2 Pro 10-Core's 21,939 — a 13.2% lead for the Core i5-13400F. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 24 MB on the M2 Pro 10-Core.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	M2 Pro 10-Core
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	10 / 10
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+24%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+3%	2.42 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	24 MB+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	36 MB+2780%
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	—
PassMark	25,029+14%	21,939
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M2 Pro 10-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	M2 Pro 10-Core
Socket	LGA1700	none
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) / not specified (M2 Pro 10-Core). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.