Core i5-13400F vs Ryzen 5 3500U

Core i5-13400F vs Ryzen 5 3500U Performance Spectrum

Core i5-13400F

10 / 16

25,029

+266.1%

6,836

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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 Ryzen 5 3500U 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 Ryzen 5 3500U: 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: +73.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+400% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FP5 and DDR4.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 3500U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 3500U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 3500U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 5 3500U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 8, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,545 vs 16,211).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Older platform position on FP5 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 Ryzen 5 3500U?

Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 73.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 357.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 266.1% 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 73.0% 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 357.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 400% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 4 MB).

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 $196 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 73.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 FP5, 400% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400F vs Ryzen 5 3500U 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.

Ryzen 5 3500U

The Ryzen 5 3500U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,836 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3500U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3500U — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3500U uses Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Ryzen 5 3500U's 6,836 — a 114.2% lead for the Core i5-13400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 3,545 (128.2% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 876, a 93.3% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 1,898 (142.9% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3500U.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Ryzen 5 3500U
Cores / Threads	10 / 16+150%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+24%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+400%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	Intel 7 nm-42%	12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020)
PassMark	25,029+266%	6,836
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211+357%	3,545
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407+175%	876
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408+501%	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3500U uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR4-2400 on the Ryzen 5 3500U — the Core i5-13400F supports 100% 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 64 GB — 200% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 12 (Ryzen 5 3500U) — the Core i5-13400F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and Mobile (Ryzen 5 3500U).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Ryzen 5 3500U
Socket	LGA1700	FP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+100%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+200%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+67%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 3500U). The Ryzen 5 3500U includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 8), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 5 3500U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600; Ryzen 5 3500U rivals Core i5-10210U.