Core i5-13400F vs Ryzen 3 4100

Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 4100

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4 GHz2022

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: +90.9% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +149.9% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Delivers 14.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 111.7 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 98% HIGHER MSRP
    $196 MSRPvs$99 MSRP

Ryzen 3 4100

2022

Why buy it

  • Costs $97 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (11,062 vs 25,029).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 111.7 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($99 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Ryzen 3 4100?
Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 90.9% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 126.3% 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 90.9% more average FPS across 3 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 126.3% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 149.9% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 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 $99 MSRP, and it gives you a 90.9% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 14.3% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 111.7 PassMark/$), 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 AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 3 4100 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 2022), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 149.9% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 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 4100
1080p
low171 FPS182 FPS
medium158 FPS145 FPS
high132 FPS118 FPS
ultra112 FPS89 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS155 FPS
medium123 FPS122 FPS
high99 FPS97 FPS
ultra84 FPS74 FPS
4K
low81 FPS69 FPS
medium74 FPS58 FPS
high59 FPS46 FPS
ultra46 FPS36 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 4100
1080p
low545 FPS277 FPS
medium464 FPS235 FPS
high389 FPS204 FPS
ultra356 FPS157 FPS
1440p
low458 FPS235 FPS
medium403 FPS203 FPS
high345 FPS177 FPS
ultra301 FPS142 FPS
4K
low280 FPS181 FPS
medium247 FPS164 FPS
high231 FPS132 FPS
ultra204 FPS100 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 4100
1080p
low530 FPS277 FPS
medium449 FPS277 FPS
high415 FPS277 FPS
ultra375 FPS277 FPS
1440p
low490 FPS277 FPS
medium422 FPS277 FPS
high382 FPS277 FPS
ultra343 FPS277 FPS
4K
low393 FPS277 FPS
medium331 FPS277 FPS
high296 FPS277 FPS
ultra246 FPS247 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 4100
1080p
low626 FPS277 FPS
medium626 FPS277 FPS
high626 FPS277 FPS
ultra626 FPS277 FPS
1440p
low626 FPS277 FPS
medium626 FPS277 FPS
high598 FPS277 FPS
ultra521 FPS277 FPS
4K
low535 FPS277 FPS
medium492 FPS277 FPS
high439 FPS277 FPS
ultra382 FPS277 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Ryzen 3 4100

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 4100

The Ryzen 3 4100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Renoir (2020−2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8.00391 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 11,062 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 3 4100 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 4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 4100 — a 14% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 4100 uses Renoir (2020−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Ryzen 3 4100's 11,062 — a 77.4% lead for the Core i5-13400F. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 8.00391 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 4100.

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 4100
Cores / Threads
10 / 16+150%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+15%
4 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.8 GHz+52%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)+150%
8.00391 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)
Renoir (2020−2023)
PassMark
25,029+126%
11,062
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 4100 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 4100
Socket
LGA1700
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13400F) / not specified (Ryzen 3 4100). Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 4100
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Ryzen 3 4100 debuted at $99. On MSRP ($196 vs $99), the Ryzen 3 4100 is $97 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 111.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 4100 — making the Core i5-13400F the 13.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-13400FRyzen 3 4100
MSRP
$196
$99-49%
Performance per Dollar
127.7+14%
111.7
Release Date
2023
2022