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 $543 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Delivers 116.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 58.9 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 150W, a 85W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-12900KS.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900KS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 27,796).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900KS can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-12900KS

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.9 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($739 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌130.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Core i9-12900KS

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $543 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Delivers 116.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 58.9 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 150W, a 85W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-12900KS.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900KS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,211 vs 27,796).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-12900KS can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.9 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($739 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌130.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900KS better than Core i5-13400F?

Yes. Core i9-12900KS is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 24.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 71.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 73.9% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900KS is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 24.6% 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, Core i9-12900KS is the better fit. You are getting 71.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core i9-12900KS is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-12900KS is 277.0% more expensive on MSRP at $739 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it gives you a 24.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400F is also 116.8% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 58.9 PassMark/$), 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 2022). 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 i5-13400F Benchmark Check

Core i9-12900KS Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12900KS
1080p
low	171 FPS	283 FPS
medium	158 FPS	269 FPS
high	132 FPS	225 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	192 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	235 FPS
medium	123 FPS	199 FPS
high	99 FPS	162 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	142 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	158 FPS
medium	74 FPS	134 FPS
high	59 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	91 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-12900KS

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12900KS
1080p
low	545 FPS	716 FPS
medium	464 FPS	603 FPS
high	389 FPS	501 FPS
ultra	356 FPS	443 FPS
1440p
low	458 FPS	617 FPS
medium	403 FPS	541 FPS
high	345 FPS	454 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	380 FPS
4K
low	280 FPS	363 FPS
medium	247 FPS	326 FPS
high	231 FPS	306 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	263 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-12900KS

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12900KS
1080p
low	530 FPS	866 FPS
medium	449 FPS	686 FPS
high	415 FPS	605 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	502 FPS
1440p
low	490 FPS	748 FPS
medium	422 FPS	602 FPS
high	382 FPS	523 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	441 FPS
4K
low	393 FPS	523 FPS
medium	331 FPS	432 FPS
high	296 FPS	392 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	332 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-12900KS

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12900KS
1080p
low	626 FPS	973 FPS
medium	626 FPS	879 FPS
high	626 FPS	763 FPS
ultra	626 FPS	693 FPS
1440p
low	626 FPS	812 FPS
medium	626 FPS	723 FPS
high	598 FPS	626 FPS
ultra	521 FPS	556 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	555 FPS
medium	492 FPS	502 FPS
high	439 FPS	449 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	396 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i9-12900KS

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Core i9-12900KS

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.

Core i9-12900KS

The Core i9-12900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 43,528 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-12900KS offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900KS has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 5.3 GHz on the Core i9-12900KS — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900KS (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-12900KS uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core i9-12900KS's 43,528 — a 54% lead for the Core i9-12900KS. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 27,796 (52.7% advantage for the Core i9-12900KS). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 2,082, a 14.5% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900KS.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12900KS
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	16 / 24+60%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5.3 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.4 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	25,029	43,528+74%
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	27,796+71%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407+16%	2,082
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 memory speed. 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: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and LGA1700 (Core i9-12900KS).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12900KS
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-12900KS has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-12900KS supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i9-12900KS includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i9-12900KS
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD 770
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Core i9-12900KS debuted at $739. On MSRP ($196 vs $739), the Core i5-13400F is $543 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 58.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900KS — making the Core i5-13400F the 73.7% better value option.