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

✅Better for gaming: +592.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+566.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 286.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 33.1 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
206.3% HIGHER MSRP
$196 MSRPvs$64 MSRP
❌22.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 53W.

Pentium G3260

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $132 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
✅Draws 53W instead of 65W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,116 vs 25,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.1 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1150, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Pentium G3260

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +592.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+566.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 286.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 33.1 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Costs $132 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
✅Draws 53W instead of 65W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌
206.3% HIGHER MSRP
$196 MSRPvs$64 MSRP
❌22.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 53W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,116 vs 25,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.1 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1150, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Pentium G3260?

Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 592.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1082.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 592.9% more average FPS across 4 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 better fit. You are getting 1082.8% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 566.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 3 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 206.3% more expensive on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $64 MSRP, and it gives you a 592.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 286.2% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 33.1 PassMark/$), 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 2015), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1150, 566.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/2. 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

Pentium G3260 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Pentium G3260
1080p
low	171 FPS	53 FPS
medium	158 FPS	53 FPS
high	132 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	53 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	53 FPS
medium	123 FPS	53 FPS
high	99 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	53 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	53 FPS
medium	74 FPS	51 FPS
high	59 FPS	40 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	31 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Pentium G3260

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Pentium G3260
1080p
low	545 FPS	53 FPS
medium	464 FPS	53 FPS
high	389 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	356 FPS	53 FPS
1440p
low	458 FPS	53 FPS
medium	403 FPS	53 FPS
high	345 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	53 FPS
4K
low	280 FPS	53 FPS
medium	247 FPS	53 FPS
high	231 FPS	42 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	29 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Pentium G3260

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Pentium G3260
1080p
low	530 FPS	53 FPS
medium	449 FPS	53 FPS
high	415 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	53 FPS
1440p
low	490 FPS	53 FPS
medium	422 FPS	53 FPS
high	382 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	53 FPS
4K
low	393 FPS	53 FPS
medium	331 FPS	53 FPS
high	296 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	53 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Pentium G3260

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Pentium G3260
1080p
low	626 FPS	53 FPS
medium	626 FPS	53 FPS
high	626 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	626 FPS	53 FPS
1440p
low	626 FPS	53 FPS
medium	626 FPS	53 FPS
high	598 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	521 FPS	53 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	53 FPS
medium	492 FPS	53 FPS
high	439 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	53 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Pentium G3260

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Pentium G3260

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.

Pentium G3260

The Pentium G3260 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,116 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Pentium G3260 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 8 more cores. 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 Pentium G3260's 2,116 — a 168.8% lead for the Core i5-13400F. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 3 MB on the Pentium G3260.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Pentium G3260
Cores / Threads	10 / 16+400%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+567%	3 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	—
PassMark	25,029+1083%	2,116
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 G3260 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Pentium G3260
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
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 (Pentium G3260). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Pentium G3260
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Pentium G3260 debuted at $64. On MSRP ($196 vs $64), the Pentium G3260 is $132 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 33.1 pts/$ for the Pentium G3260 — making the Core i5-13400F the 117.7% better value option.