Quick answer
The Core i5-13400F is the faster gaming CPU: its FPS ceiling is about 7% higher than the Core i5-12400F’s (score 59 vs 55). Both use the LGA 1700 socket, so they fit the same motherboards. With a mid-range graphics card at 1440p or 4K, the gap mostly disappears because the card sets the frame rate.
A side-by-side look at the Intel Core i5-12400F and the Intel Core i5-13400F using each maker’s specs and ComputingSkill’s gaming scores, the same numbers our calculators and tier list use. Prices change too often to compare here.
Specs Side by Side
| Core i5-12400F | Core i5-13400F | |
|---|---|---|
| Generation | 12th Gen (Alder Lake) | 13th Gen (Raptor Lake) |
| Cores / threads | 6 / 12 | 10 / 16 |
| Base / boost clock | 2.5 / 4.4 GHz | 2.5 / 4.6 GHz |
| TDP / max power | 65W / 117W | 65W / 148W |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 |
| Memory | DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board (never both) | DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board (never both) |
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Gaming score (tier) | 55 (C) | 59 (C) |
Specs: Core i5-12400F official page and Core i5-13400F official page. Scores are ComputingSkill’s gaming index, positioned from publicly reported review averages, not our own benchmarks (methodology).
Gaming Performance
The FPS ceiling is the frame rate each CPU can prepare when the graphics card isn’t the limit (FPS Calculator formula).
| Game type | Core i5-12400F | Core i5-13400F | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical AAA game | 117 | 125 | Core i5-13400F +7% |
| Esports titles | 327 | 351 | Core i5-13400F +7% |
| CPU-heavy games | 82 | 88 | Core i5-13400F +7% |
Which Graphics Card Each One Can Drive
The fastest card in our list each CPU runs without a noticeable CPU bottleneck (under 15%, typical AAA game at high settings).
| Resolution | Core i5-12400F | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | RX 6800 | RX 7800 XT |
| 1440p | RTX 4080 | RX 7900 XTX |
| 4K | RTX 5090 | RTX 5090 |
| Graphics card | Core i5-12400F | Core i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 4060 | GPU-limited / GPU-limited | GPU-limited / GPU-limited |
| RX 9060 XT 16GB | Balanced / GPU-limited | GPU-limited / GPU-limited |
| RTX 5070 | CPU ~28% / Balanced | CPU ~23% / GPU-limited |
| RX 9070 XT | CPU ~40% / CPU ~12% | CPU ~36% / Balanced |
| RTX 5080 | CPU ~47% / CPU ~22% | CPU ~43% / CPU ~16% |
Platform, Power and Upgrades
- Core i5-12400F: LGA 1700, DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board (never both), up to about 117W. Upgrade path on the same board: up to the Core i9-14900K.
- Core i5-13400F: LGA 1700, DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board (never both), up to about 148W. Upgrade path on the same board: up to the Core i9-14900K.
Which Should You Buy?
- For high-refresh gaming, esports or a fast graphics card, the Core i5-13400F is about 7% quicker.
- With a mid-range card at 1440p or 4K the Core i5-12400F gives up little, so it makes sense when it costs clearly less.
- For streaming, video editing or other multi-threaded work, the Core i5-13400F’s 10 cores help more than our gaming score shows.
More comparisons: Ryzen 5 5600 vs Core i5-12400F, Core i5-13400F vs Core i5-14400F and Ryzen 5 7600 vs Core i5-13400F. Every processor ranked: CPU tier list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Core i5-12400F better than the Core i5-13400F for gaming?
No. The Core i5-13400F is the faster gaming CPU, with an FPS ceiling about 7% higher (score 59 vs 55).
Do the Core i5-12400F and Core i5-13400F use the same motherboard?
Yes, both are LGA 1700. A BIOS update may be needed for the newer chip.
Which uses less power, the Core i5-12400F or the Core i5-13400F?
The Core i5-12400F (up to about 117W vs 148W).