Core i5-13400F vs Pentium Extreme Edition 965

Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
Intel

Pentium Extreme Edition 965

2 Cores4 Thrd130 WWMax: 0.73 GHz2006
Similar parts
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Core i5-13400F vs Pentium Extreme Edition 965 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 Pentium Extreme Edition 965 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 Pentium Extreme Edition 965: 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: +620.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $803 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
  • Delivers 10850.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 1.2 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA775 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium Extreme Edition 965

2006

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (1,165 vs 25,029).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.2 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
    • 100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.
    • Older platform position on LGA775, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i5-13400F better than Pentium Extreme Edition 965?
    Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 620.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2048.4% 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 620.7% 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 i5-13400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 2048.4% 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 $803 cheaper on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 620.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 10850.3% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 1.2 PassMark/$), 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 2006), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA775, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Core i5-13400F vs Pentium Extreme Edition 965 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

    Pentium Extreme Edition 965

    The Pentium Extreme Edition 965 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 March 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.733 GHz, with boost up to 0.73 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 1,165 points. Launch price was $999.

    Processing Power

    The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 0.73 GHz on the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 — a 145.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.733 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 uses Presler (2005−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Pentium Extreme Edition 965's 1,165 — a 182.2% lead for the Core i5-13400F.

    FeatureCore i5-13400FPentium Extreme Edition 965
    Cores / Threads
    10 / 16+400%
    2 / 4
    Boost Clock
    4.6 GHz+530%
    0.73 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.5 GHz
    3.733 GHz+49%
    L3 Cache
    20 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1.25 MB (per core)
    2 MB (per core)+60%
    Process
    Intel 7 nm-89%
    65 nm
    Architecture
    Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
    Presler (2005−2007)
    PassMark
    25,029+2048%
    1,165
    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 Pentium Extreme Edition 965 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i5-13400FPentium Extreme Edition 965
    Socket
    LGA1700
    LGA775
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 5.0+355%
    PCIe 1.1
    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 (Pentium Extreme Edition 965). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

    FeatureCore i5-13400FPentium Extreme Edition 965
    Integrated GPU
    No
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d
    Target Use
    Gaming
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Core i5-13400F was priced at $196, while the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 came in at $999. On launch pricing ($196 vs $999), Core i5-13400F was $803 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 1.2 pts/$ for the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 — making the Core i5-13400F the 196.4% better value option.

    FeatureCore i5-13400FPentium Extreme Edition 965
    MSRP
    $196-80%
    $999
    Performance per Dollar
    127.7+10542%
    1.2
    Release Date
    2023
    2006

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