Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: Which Is Better for Gaming?
Short answer: With the fastest graphics card at 1080p, where the processor sets the limit, the Core i5-13400F is about 14% faster in our nine-game model (119 vs 139 FPS). With a mid-range RTX 5070 at 1440p the gap almost disappears, because the graphics card becomes the limit. For multi-threaded work such as rendering and video encoding, the Core i5-13400F is about 25% faster.
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Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: at a glance
| Core i5-12400F | Core i5-13400F | |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p gaming score, Tom’s Hardware (RTX 5090) | Not in chart | Not in chart |
| Multi-thread score, Tom’s Hardware | 24% | 32% |
| Single-thread score, Tom’s Hardware | 69.5% | 74% |
| Avg FPS, RTX 5090 at 1080p (our model) | 119 | 139 |
| Avg FPS, RTX 5070 at 1440p (our model) | 102 | 106 |
| Launch price | $167 | $196 |
Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: what independent benchmarks show
- In Tom’s application tests, the Core i5-12400F scores 24% multi-threaded and 69.5% single-threaded, against 32% and 74% for the Core i5-13400F.
Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F FPS in popular games
| Game | Core i5-12400F RTX 5090, 1080p | Core i5-13400F RTX 5090, 1080p | Core i5-12400F RTX 5070, 1440p | Core i5-13400F RTX 5070, 1440p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 327 (216 low) | 381 (251 low) | 327 | 354 |
| Valorant | 399 (263 low) | 465 (307 low) | 399 | 465 |
| Fortnite | 189 (125 low) | 220 (145 low) | 150 | 150 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | 152 (101 low) | 178 (117 low) | 105 | 105 |
| Battlefield 6 | 116 (77 low) | 135 (89 low) | 116 | 118 |
| ARC Raiders | 131 (86 low) | 152 (101 low) | 129 | 129 |
| Marvel Rivals | 123 (81 low) | 144 (95 low) | 91 | 91 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 109 (72 low) | 127 (84 low) | 102 | 102 |
| Black Myth: Wukong | 94 (62 low) | 110 (73 low) | 70 | 70 |
| Hogwarts Legacy | 80 (53 low) | 93 (61 low) | 80 | 93 |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 80 (53 low) | 93 (61 low) | 80 | 93 |
| Elden Ring | 60 (40 low) | 60 (40 low) | 60 | 60 |
The RTX 5090 columns show the most each processor can do, because the graphics card is fast enough never to be the limit. The RTX 5070 columns show a typical mid-range build, where the two chips land much closer together.
Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: does the difference matter at 1440p and 4K?
| Setup | Core i5-12400F | Core i5-13400F | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090, 1080p | 119 | 139 | 14% |
| RTX 5090, 4K | 116 | 126 | 8% |
| RTX 5070, 1080p | 119 | 131 | 10% |
| RTX 5070, 1440p | 102 | 106 | 3% |
The faster CPU only pays off when the graphics card is not the limit: at 1080p with a high-end card, with a high refresh rate monitor, or in CPU-heavy games such as Counter-Strike 2, strategy and simulation titles. At 4K with any card, and at 1440p with a mid-range card, the two chips perform close to the same.
Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: specifications
| Spec | Core i5-12400F | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 6 / 12 | 10 / 16 |
| Architecture | Alder Lake | Raptor Lake |
| L3 cache | 18 MB | 20 MB |
| Max boost clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.6 GHz |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1700 |
| Memory | DDR4 / DDR5 | DDR4 / DDR5 |
| Rated / max power | 65 W / ~117 W | 65 W / ~148 W |
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Launch price | $167 | $196 |
Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: value: price per frame
At launch prices, the Core i5-12400F gives 71.5 FPS per $100 and the Core i5-13400F gives 71.0 FPS per $100 (RTX 5090, 1080p average). Value is about the same. Street prices change week to week, so redo the math with today’s prices: divide the price by the FPS, and remember to include the motherboard and memory if the sockets differ.
Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: platform, cooling and power
- Same socket (LGA1700). LGA1700 is end-of-line: 14th Gen Core was its last generation. Boards are affordable and support DDR4 or DDR5, but there is no upgrade path beyond the Core i9-14900K.
- Cooling: A single-tower air cooler (120 mm fan) is enough for gaming. This applies to both chips.
- Power supply: with an RTX 5070, about 600 W for the Core i5-12400F and 650 W for the Core i5-13400F. See the PSU calculator.
Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: bottleneck with popular graphics cards
| Graphics card | Core i5-12400F (1080p / 1440p) | Core i5-13400F (1080p / 1440p) |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 5060 | 22% CPU / 5% CPU | 16% CPU / 3% GPU |
| RX 9060 XT 16GB | 24% CPU / 8% CPU | 19% CPU / 1% GPU |
| RTX 5070 | 32% CPU / 20% CPU | 28% CPU / 14% CPU |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 35% CPU / 24% CPU | 31% CPU / 18% CPU |
| RX 9070 XT | 36% CPU / 25% CPU | 32% CPU / 19% CPU |
| RTX 5080 | 37% CPU / 27% CPU | 34% CPU / 22% CPU |
| RTX 5090 | 39% CPU / 30% CPU | 36% CPU / 25% CPU |
Full lists: best GPU for the Core i5-12400F and best GPU for the Core i5-13400F.
Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: which one should you buy?
- Buy the Core i5-12400F if you want lower power draw and easier cooling.
- Buy the Core i5-13400F if you want the highest frame rates with a fast graphics card, you also stream, edit video or render (faster multi-threaded) or you want faster single-thread performance in everyday apps.
Should you upgrade from the Core i5-12400F to the Core i5-13400F?
It can be worth it if you play at 1080p with a fast graphics card or a high refresh rate monitor: the Core i5-13400F is about 14% faster there, and it drops into the same LGA1700 motherboard (update the BIOS first if the board is older).
Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: frequently asked questions
Is the Core i5-12400F better than the Core i5-13400F for gaming?
With a high-end graphics card at 1080p, the Core i5-13400F is about 14% faster in our model. At 1440p with a mid-range card the difference is about 3%.
How much faster is the Core i5-13400F?
About 14% at 1080p with a top graphics card, 3% at 1440p with an RTX 5070, and 8% at 4K.
Which one is better for streaming and video editing?
The one with the higher multi-thread score: the Core i5-13400F (32% vs 24% in Tom’s Hardware’s tests).
Can I use the Core i5-12400F and Core i5-13400F on the same motherboard?
Yes, both use the LGA1700 socket. Update the motherboard BIOS before swapping to the newer chip.
Which one uses less power?
The Core i5-12400F (about 117 W maximum vs 148 W). In games, both draw well below their maximum.
What cooler do I need?
For both: a single-tower air cooler (120 mm fan) is enough for gaming.
Is there a difference at 4K?
Very little. At 4K the graphics card is the limit, so the two land within 8% of each other even with an RTX 5090 in our model.
Which graphics card should I pair with them?
See our best GPU for the Core i5-12400F and best GPU for the Core i5-13400F guides, or check any pair in the bottleneck calculator.
Core i5-12400F vs Core i5-13400F: how we compared
- Measured results: gaming, multi-thread and single-thread scores are from Tom’s Hardware’s CPU hierarchy (RTX 5090, 1080p, 17 games; DDR5-6000 on AM5, DDR5-7200 on Intel), plus TechSpot reviews where noted.
- Per-game FPS: from our FPS model, calibrated against published reviews; when both chips are in Tom’s Hardware’s chart, the per-game numbers are scaled to match its measured gap. Use it for the size of the gap between the chips, not as an exact frame rate.
- Specs and prices: AMD and Intel specifications; launch prices at release.
More comparisons
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- Gaming CPU benchmarks 2026
- All GPU and CPU comparisons
Sources: Tom’s Hardware – CPU Benchmarks Hierarchy (updated 5 October 2026); AMD and Intel product specifications.