Core i5-13400F vs Ryzen 9 7940H

Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 7940H

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Core i5-13400F vs Ryzen 9 7940H 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 Ryzen 9 7940H 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 9 7940H: 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

  • +25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 9 7940H.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 7940H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 17,200).
  • Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 7940H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 7940H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 7940H

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +34.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 7940H better than Core i5-13400F?
Yes. Ryzen 9 7940H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 34.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 6.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 16.5% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 7940H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 34.2% 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, Ryzen 9 7940H is the stronger fit. You are getting 6.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 7940H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 7940H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it still gives you a 34.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 9 7940H is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-13400F vs Ryzen 9 7940H 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.

AMD

Ryzen 9 7940H

The Ryzen 9 7940H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Janeiro 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Phoenix (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600. Passmark benchmark score: 29,151 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 9 7940H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 7940H — a 12.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 7940H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 7940H uses Phoenix (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Ryzen 9 7940H's 29,151 — a 15.2% lead for the Ryzen 9 7940H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 17,200 (5.9% advantage for the Ryzen 9 7940H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 2,646, a 9.5% lead for the Ryzen 9 7940H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 13,495 (16.8% advantage for the Ryzen 9 7940H). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 7940H.

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 9 7940H
Cores / Threads
10 / 16+25%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
5.2 GHz+13%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
4 GHz+60%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)+25%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Phoenix (2023−2024)
PassMark
25,029
29,151+16%
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,211
17,200+6%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,407
2,646+10%
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,408
13,495+18%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 7940H uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 7940H — the Ryzen 9 7940H supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 7940H supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and FP7,FP7r2,FP8 (Ryzen 9 7940H).

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 9 7940H
Socket
LGA1700
FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
DDR5-5600+17%
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
256 GB+33%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 7940H has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 9 7940H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) vs AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen 9 7940H). The Ryzen 9 7940H includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 9 7940H targets High-performance Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600; Ryzen 9 7940H rivals Core i9-13900H.

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 9 7940H
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon 780M
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, SVM
Target Use
Gaming
High-performance Gaming Laptop