Core i5-13400F vs Xeon E5-2690

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 Xeon E5-2690 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 Xeon E5-2690: 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: +35.2% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,861 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $2,057 MSRP).
✅Delivers 2590.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 4.7 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $2,057 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 135W, a 70W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2690, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2690

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,764 vs 25,029).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.7 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($2,057 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌107.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Xeon E5-2690?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2690 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-13400F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 35.2% more average FPS across 49 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 156.3% better PassMark, 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 $1,861 cheaper on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $2,057 MSRP, and it still gives you a 35.2% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 2590.3% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 4.7 PassMark/$), 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 2012), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400F vs Xeon E5-2690 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.

Xeon E5-2690

The Xeon E5-2690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,764 points. Launch price was $397.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 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 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 — a 19% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Xeon E5-2690's 9,764 — a 87.7% lead for the Core i5-13400F. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Xeon E5-2690
Cores / Threads	10 / 16+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+21%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.9 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	20480 kB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	25,029+156%	9,764
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2690 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-2690 — the Core i5-13400F supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2690 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13400F) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2690). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2690) — the Xeon E5-2690 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2690).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Xeon E5-2690
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+200%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	384 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	40+100%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) / not specified (Xeon E5-2690). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Xeon E5-2690
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13400F was priced at $196, while the Xeon E5-2690 came in at $2057. On launch pricing ($196 vs $2057), Core i5-13400F was $1861 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 4.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2690 — making the Core i5-13400F the 185.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Xeon E5-2690
MSRP	$196-90%	$2057
Performance per Dollar	127.7+2617%	4.7
Release Date	2023	2012

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