Core i5-11400F vs Core i5-13400F

Intel

Core i5-11400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2021

Popular choices:

i5-13400F
VS
Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

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 i5-11400F

2021

Why buy it

  • Costs $39 less on MSRP ($157 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 10 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (7,600 vs 11,408).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 107.7 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +23.7% higher average FPS across 10 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Delivers 18.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 107.7 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • 24.8% HIGHER MSRP
    $196 MSRPvs$157 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Core i5-11400F?
Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 23.7% average FPS lead across 10 shared CPU game tests in our data, 50.1% better Geekbench multi-core, 48.1% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 23.7% more average FPS across 10 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 better fit. You are getting 50.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-13400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13400F is 24.8% more expensive on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $157 MSRP, and it gives you a 23.7% average FPS lead across 10 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 18.6% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 107.7 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11400F 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 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i5-11400FCore i5-13400F
1080p
low167 FPS171 FPS
medium145 FPS158 FPS
high117 FPS132 FPS
ultra99 FPS112 FPS
1440p
low141 FPS143 FPS
medium121 FPS123 FPS
high97 FPS99 FPS
ultra82 FPS84 FPS
4K
low79 FPS81 FPS
medium73 FPS74 FPS
high57 FPS59 FPS
ultra45 FPS46 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-11400FCore i5-13400F
1080p
low279 FPS545 FPS
medium237 FPS464 FPS
high222 FPS389 FPS
ultra198 FPS356 FPS
1440p
low253 FPS458 FPS
medium213 FPS403 FPS
high202 FPS345 FPS
ultra179 FPS301 FPS
4K
low215 FPS280 FPS
medium183 FPS247 FPS
high169 FPS231 FPS
ultra138 FPS204 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-11400FCore i5-13400F
1080p
low423 FPS530 FPS
medium421 FPS449 FPS
high383 FPS415 FPS
ultra342 FPS375 FPS
1440p
low423 FPS490 FPS
medium385 FPS422 FPS
high345 FPS382 FPS
ultra308 FPS343 FPS
4K
low337 FPS393 FPS
medium290 FPS331 FPS
high251 FPS296 FPS
ultra202 FPS246 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-11400FCore i5-13400F
1080p
low423 FPS626 FPS
medium423 FPS626 FPS
high423 FPS626 FPS
ultra423 FPS626 FPS
1440p
low423 FPS626 FPS
medium423 FPS626 FPS
high423 FPS598 FPS
ultra423 FPS521 FPS
4K
low423 FPS535 FPS
medium423 FPS492 FPS
high411 FPS439 FPS
ultra358 FPS382 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-11400F and Core i5-13400F

Intel

Core i5-11400F

The Core i5-11400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 16,902 points. Launch price was $157.

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.

Processing Power

The Core i5-11400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-13400F offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-11400F versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-11400F uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-13400F uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11400F scores 16,902 against the Core i5-13400F's 25,029 — a 38.8% lead for the Core i5-13400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,000 vs 2,407, a 18.5% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,600 vs 11,408 (40.1% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11400F vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F.

FeatureCore i5-11400FCore i5-13400F
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
10 / 16+67%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz+4%
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process
14 nm
Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture
Rocket Lake (2021)
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark
16,902
25,029+48%
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,211
Geekbench 6 Single
2,000
2,407+20%
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,600
11,408+50%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11400F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-13400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11400F versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F — 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. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B560,Z590 (Core i5-11400F) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F).

FeatureCore i5-11400FCore i5-13400F
Socket
LGA1200
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
192 GB+50%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-11400F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i5-11400F targets Mainstream Desktop, Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

FeatureCore i5-11400FCore i5-13400F
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Mainstream Desktop
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-11400F launched at $157 MSRP, while the Core i5-13400F debuted at $196. On MSRP ($157 vs $196), the Core i5-11400F is $39 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11400F delivers 107.7 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-13400F — making the Core i5-13400F the 17% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-11400FCore i5-13400F
MSRP
$157-20%
$196
Performance per Dollar
107.7
127.7+19%
Release Date
2021
2023