Core i5-13400F vs Ryzen 3 3100

Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 3100

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2020

Popular choices:

i5-13400F

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 i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +26.0% higher average FPS across 6 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 3 3100.

Trade-offs

  • 98% HIGHER MSRP
    $196 MSRPvs$99 MSRP

Ryzen 3 3100

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $97 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 6 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (11,928 vs 25,029).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Ryzen 3 3100?
Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 26.0% average FPS lead across 6 shared CPU game tests in our data, 109.8% better 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 26.0% more average FPS across 6 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 109.8% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 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 98.0% more expensive on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $99 MSRP, and it gives you a 26.0% average FPS lead across 6 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 120.5 PassMark/$), 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 AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 3 3100 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 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. 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 i5-13400FRyzen 3 3100
1080p
low171 FPS166 FPS
medium158 FPS136 FPS
high132 FPS118 FPS
ultra112 FPS93 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium123 FPS115 FPS
high99 FPS94 FPS
ultra84 FPS72 FPS
4K
low81 FPS68 FPS
medium74 FPS58 FPS
high59 FPS46 FPS
ultra46 FPS36 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 3100
1080p
low545 FPS271 FPS
medium464 FPS228 FPS
high389 FPS191 FPS
ultra356 FPS147 FPS
1440p
low458 FPS231 FPS
medium403 FPS200 FPS
high345 FPS169 FPS
ultra301 FPS133 FPS
4K
low280 FPS165 FPS
medium247 FPS148 FPS
high231 FPS118 FPS
ultra204 FPS89 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 3100
1080p
low530 FPS298 FPS
medium449 FPS298 FPS
high415 FPS298 FPS
ultra375 FPS298 FPS
1440p
low490 FPS298 FPS
medium422 FPS298 FPS
high382 FPS298 FPS
ultra343 FPS298 FPS
4K
low393 FPS298 FPS
medium331 FPS268 FPS
high296 FPS226 FPS
ultra246 FPS179 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 3100
1080p
low626 FPS298 FPS
medium626 FPS298 FPS
high626 FPS298 FPS
ultra626 FPS298 FPS
1440p
low626 FPS298 FPS
medium626 FPS298 FPS
high598 FPS298 FPS
ultra521 FPS298 FPS
4K
low535 FPS298 FPS
medium492 FPS298 FPS
high439 FPS298 FPS
ultra382 FPS298 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Ryzen 3 3100

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 3 3100

The Ryzen 3 3100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 11,928 points. Launch price was $99.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 3 3100 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3100 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 3100 uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Ryzen 3 3100's 11,928 — a 70.9% lead for the Core i5-13400F. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 3100.

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 3100
Cores / Threads
10 / 16+150%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+18%
3.9 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)+25%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+150%
512K (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
25,029+110%
11,928
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,211
Geekbench 6 Single
2,407
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,408
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 3 3100 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 3 3100 — 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. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 24 (Ryzen 3 3100) — the Ryzen 3 3100 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 3 3100).

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 3100
Socket
LGA1700
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+25%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB+50%
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 3 3100 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 3100). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Ryzen 3 3100 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 3100
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Ryzen 3 3100 debuted at $99. On MSRP ($196 vs $99), the Ryzen 3 3100 is $97 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 120.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 3100 — making the Core i5-13400F the 5.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 3100
MSRP
$196
$99-49%
Performance per Dollar
127.7+6%
120.5
Release Date
2023
2020