Core i5-13400F vs Phenom II X2 N640

CPU

GPU

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023

Core family

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Phenom II X2 N640

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2010

Similar parts

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Core i5-13400F vs Phenom II X2 N640 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-13400F

10 / 16

25,029

+1563.1%

1,505

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 Phenom II X2 N640 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 Phenom II X2 N640: 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: +458.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 748.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 15.1 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of S1 and older memory support.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II X2 N640.

Trade-offs

❌
96% HIGHER MSRP
$196 MSRPvs$100 MSRP
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Phenom II X2 N640

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $96 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (422 vs 11,408).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.1 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on S1, 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 Phenom II X2 N640?

Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 458.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2603.3% better Geekbench multi-core, 1563.1% 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 i5-13400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 458.6% 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 2603.3% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 96.0% more expensive on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 458.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 748.5% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 15.1 PassMark/$), 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 2010), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of S1, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/2. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400F vs Phenom II X2 N640 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.

Phenom II X2 N640

The Phenom II X2 N640 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.9 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,505 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Phenom II X2 N640 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 2.9 GHz on the Phenom II X2 N640 — a 45.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F. The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Phenom II X2 N640 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Phenom II X2 N640's 1,505 — a 177.3% lead for the Core i5-13400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 300, a 155.7% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 422 (185.7% advantage for the Core i5-13400F).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Phenom II X2 N640
Cores / Threads	10 / 16+400%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+59%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm-84%	45 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	25,029+1563%	1,505
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407+702%	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408+2603%	422

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Phenom II X2 N640 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR3-1333 on the Phenom II X2 N640 — the Core i5-13400F supports 260.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13400F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 2300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 16 (Phenom II X2 N640) — the Core i5-13400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and RS880M (Phenom II X2 N640).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Phenom II X2 N640
Socket	LGA1700	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+260%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+2300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X2 N640). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Phenom II X2 N640 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Phenom II X2 N640
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Legacy Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13400F was priced at $196, while the Phenom II X2 N640 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($196 vs $100), Phenom II X2 N640 was $96 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 15.1 pts/$ for the Phenom II X2 N640 — making the Core i5-13400F the 157.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Phenom II X2 N640
MSRP	$196	$100-49%
Performance per Dollar	127.7+746%	15.1
Release Date	2023	2010

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