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 i5-12600K

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.0% higher average FPS across 17 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 95.5 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($289 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $93 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 95.5 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12600K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12600K across 17 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 17,500).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-12600K

2021

Core i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.0% higher average FPS across 17 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Costs $93 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 95.5 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-12600K.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 95.5 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($289 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-12600K across 17 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 17,500).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-12600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-12600K better than Core i5-13400F?

Yes. Core i5-12600K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 21.0% average FPS lead across 17 shared CPU game tests in our data, 8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 10.2% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-12600K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 21.0% more average FPS across 17 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-12600K is the better fit. You are getting 8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i5-12600K is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i5-12600K is 47.4% more expensive on MSRP at $289 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it gives you a 21.0% average FPS lead across 17 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400F is also 33.8% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 95.5 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 i5-12600K Benchmark Check

Core i5-13400F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-12600K	Core i5-13400F
1080p
low	311 FPS	171 FPS
medium	292 FPS	158 FPS
high	244 FPS	132 FPS
ultra	191 FPS	112 FPS
1440p
low	267 FPS	143 FPS
medium	223 FPS	123 FPS
high	181 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	84 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	81 FPS
medium	142 FPS	74 FPS
high	109 FPS	59 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	46 FPS

Open Core i5-12600K Open Core i5-13400F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-12600K	Core i5-13400F
1080p
low	577 FPS	545 FPS
medium	487 FPS	464 FPS
high	405 FPS	389 FPS
ultra	369 FPS	356 FPS
1440p
low	467 FPS	458 FPS
medium	411 FPS	403 FPS
high	352 FPS	345 FPS
ultra	305 FPS	301 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	280 FPS
medium	249 FPS	247 FPS
high	233 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	206 FPS	204 FPS

Open Core i5-12600K Open Core i5-13400F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-12600K	Core i5-13400F
1080p
low	690 FPS	530 FPS
medium	635 FPS	449 FPS
high	561 FPS	415 FPS
ultra	476 FPS	375 FPS
1440p
low	690 FPS	490 FPS
medium	566 FPS	422 FPS
high	495 FPS	382 FPS
ultra	425 FPS	343 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	393 FPS
medium	426 FPS	331 FPS
high	382 FPS	296 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	246 FPS

Open Core i5-12600K Open Core i5-13400F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-12600K	Core i5-13400F
1080p
low	690 FPS	626 FPS
medium	690 FPS	626 FPS
high	690 FPS	626 FPS
ultra	644 FPS	626 FPS
1440p
low	690 FPS	626 FPS
medium	689 FPS	626 FPS
high	599 FPS	598 FPS
ultra	526 FPS	521 FPS
4K
low	542 FPS	535 FPS
medium	495 FPS	492 FPS
high	444 FPS	439 FPS
ultra	389 FPS	382 FPS

Open Core i5-12600K Open Core i5-13400F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12600K and Core i5-13400F

Core i5-12600K

The Core i5-12600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 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): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 27,586 points. Launch price was $289.

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

Both the Core i5-12600K and Core i5-13400F share an identical 10-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-12600K versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12600K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12600K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-13400F uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12600K scores 27,586 against the Core i5-13400F's 25,029 — a 9.7% lead for the Core i5-12600K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,500 vs 16,211 (7.6% advantage for the Core i5-12600K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,472 vs 2,407, a 2.7% lead for the Core i5-12600K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,863 vs 11,408 (3.9% advantage for the Core i5-12600K). Both processors carry 20 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-12600K	Core i5-13400F
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	10 / 16
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+7%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+48%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	27,586+10%	25,029
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,500+8%	16,211
Geekbench 6 Single	2,472+3%	2,407
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,863+4%	11,408

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i5-12600K versus DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F — the Core i5-12600K supports 199.6% 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 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i5-12600K) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F).

Feature	Core i5-12600K	Core i5-13400F
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+95900%	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128	192 GB+157286300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-12600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-12600K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-12600K targets Gaming, Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-12600K rivals Ryzen 5 5600X; Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-12600K	Core i5-13400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-12600K launched at $289 MSRP, while the Core i5-13400F debuted at $196. On MSRP ($289 vs $196), the Core i5-13400F is $93 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12600K delivers 95.5 pts/$ vs 127.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-13400F — making the Core i5-13400F the 28.9% better value option.