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

✅Costs $303 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 108.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 61.3 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 3900 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 17,700).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+220% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 20 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.3 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $303 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 108.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 61.3 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+220% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 20 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 3900 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 17,700).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 64 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.3 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 3900 better than Core i5-13400F?

Yes. Ryzen 9 3900 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 5.1% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 9.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 22.2% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 3900 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% 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, Ryzen 9 3900 is the better fit. You are getting 9.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 220% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 20 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 9 3900 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen 9 3900 is 154.6% more expensive on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400F is also 108.3% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 61.3 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i5-13400F 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 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4. 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

Ryzen 9 3900 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	171 FPS	159 FPS
medium	158 FPS	130 FPS
high	132 FPS	111 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	92 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	144 FPS
medium	123 FPS	115 FPS
high	99 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	78 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	78 FPS
medium	74 FPS	67 FPS
high	59 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	43 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Ryzen 9 3900

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	545 FPS	534 FPS
medium	464 FPS	470 FPS
high	389 FPS	384 FPS
ultra	356 FPS	342 FPS
1440p
low	458 FPS	460 FPS
medium	403 FPS	411 FPS
high	345 FPS	347 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	289 FPS
4K
low	280 FPS	288 FPS
medium	247 FPS	261 FPS
high	231 FPS	238 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	213 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Ryzen 9 3900

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	530 FPS	709 FPS
medium	449 FPS	589 FPS
high	415 FPS	536 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	472 FPS
1440p
low	490 FPS	541 FPS
medium	422 FPS	448 FPS
high	382 FPS	401 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	347 FPS
4K
low	393 FPS	394 FPS
medium	331 FPS	315 FPS
high	296 FPS	279 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	224 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Ryzen 9 3900

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	626 FPS	765 FPS
medium	626 FPS	765 FPS
high	626 FPS	711 FPS
ultra	626 FPS	638 FPS
1440p
low	626 FPS	725 FPS
medium	626 FPS	644 FPS
high	598 FPS	553 FPS
ultra	521 FPS	486 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	516 FPS
medium	492 FPS	469 FPS
high	439 FPS	411 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	360 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Ryzen 9 3900

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Ryzen 9 3900

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 9 3900

The Ryzen 9 3900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,588 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 3900 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900 — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Ryzen 9 3900's 30,588 — a 20% lead for the Ryzen 9 3900. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 17,700 (8.8% advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 1,713, a 33.7% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 10,983 (3.8% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3900.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Ryzen 9 3900
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	12 / 24+20%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+7%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	64 MB+220%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	25,029	30,588+22%
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	17,700+9%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407+41%	1,713
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408+4%	10,983

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3900 — the Core i5-13400F supports 22.2% 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 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 3900) — the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and X570,B550,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 3900).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Ryzen 9 3900
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 3900 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3900). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 9 3900 targets Workstation Desktop (low power). Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600; Ryzen 9 3900 rivals Core i9-9900.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Ryzen 9 3900
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Workstation Desktop (low power)

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 3900 debuted at $499. On MSRP ($196 vs $499), the Core i5-13400F is $303 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 61.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 3900 — making the Core i5-13400F the 70.3% better value option.