Intel Core i5-13400F CPU Review

The Intel i5 8th gen processors are still plenty powerful for those who are looking for a new gaming PC on a budget. However, if you are looking for something with better performance, then something like the i5 10th gen is recommended. The i5 and i7 are both great options for gaming in 2023.

If you have a limited budget, an i5 Gaming PC may be the better option for you. However, if you have a larger budget, an i7 Gaming PC will provide you with better performance. The i5 processor is great for normal computing, while the i7 is better for more demanding tasks.

While it’s great if the i5 meets your current processing demands, you should consider how it’ll fare in the future — especially for gaming. Upgrading to the i7 processor may save you from having to buy a new computer. This is why the CPU model is good for i5.

The desktop CPU landscape changed when Intel and AMD brought their latest architectures to bear late last year. Raptor Lake and Zen 4 have proven successful in moving the performance needle to the right, and though chips like Core i9-13900K and Ryzen 9 7950X are great in fostering interest through exceptional performance, most readers’ budgets remain more modest in a year plagued by economic uncertainty.

There’s more merit than ever before in looking at mid-range solutions. Coming right in at around the £200 mark is the Intel Core i5-13400F. The cheapest Core i5 from the 13th Gen stable is one of 16 energy-efficient chips released this month, of which six occupy the even more frugal 35W base TDP.

It’s most apt to compare Core i5-13400F to its immediate predecessors from the 12th Generation family, and we reviewed the Core i5-12400 last year. 2023’s mid-range champion sees the six existing Performance cores augmented by four Efficient, thus offering a total 16-thread compute capability compared to 12 previously.

Like before, Intel has different configurations depending on where the processor sits in the Core i5 pecking order, with the two lower models featuring said 16 threads whilst 13500 and 13600 share the same 20-thread muscle as the popular Core i5-13600K.

All 13th Gen Core i5 chips other than 13600K are based on the older Alder Lake architecture, not Raptor Lake, and this decision is down to Intel maximizing profit from various silicon wafers coming out of different fabrication plants.

Understanding this leads to one truth. The Intel Core i5-13400(F) – having an F suffix denotes a lack of onboard graphics – is effectively a downclocked version of the also-reviewed Core i5-12600KF from last 2021. The two chips share the same core-and-thread count, cache sizes, have similar maximum turbo power budgets, and crucially offer a maximum official supported memory speed of DDR5-4800, rather than DDR5-5600 seen on true Raptor Lake chips.

Note the general similarity between the top two. Appreciating the markedly lower base power of 13400F, its all-core speed will necessarily be lower than 12600KF. Nevertheless, today’s review chip has more innate muscle than 12400F. After all said and done, Intel’s architecture and core-and-thread positioning makes intrinsic sense for a sub-$200 desktop processor in 2023. Let’s now take a closer look.

The CPU

Presented in the familiar LGA1700 form factor home to 12th Gen and 13th Gen Core processors, irrespective of underlying architecture, having a base 65W TDP means this little beauty will slot into many a system. Ideally paired with nascent B760 boards ideal for a budget-conscious build, we fully expect to see many of these chips feature in sub-£1,000 base units.

Though AMD has brought out cheaper Ryzen 7000 Series processors, most notably the £229 7600, Intel retains better flexibility by having DDR4 support as well as newer, faster DDR5. An important consideration in the total build cost of a new PC or general upgrade. Being even handed, AMD has more futureproofing with its AM5 platform; Intel’s LGA1700 support ends with this generation of boards. Swings and roundabouts.

Performance

Tests are carried out on Core i5-13700K on top of an Asus Maximus ROG Z790 Hero motherboard outfitted with 32GB (2x16GB) of G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo EXPO CL30 memory operating at official specifications of DDR5-4800 (CL30). The supporting cast, also common between all processors, consists of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 FE graphics card, Seagate FireCuda 530 2TB SSD, and Noctua NH-D15 cooling. The ensemble is powered by a be quiet! Dark Power 13 1,000W PSU. The review chip is run at Intel-mandated settings of 148W maximum power.

Is Intel Core i5 faster than i7?

Intel Core i7 processors are typically faster and more capable than Core i5 CPUs. The latest i7 chips offer up to six cores and 12 threads, making them better suited for advanced multitasking.

Can Intel Core i5 run games?

In the end, Intel Core i5 is a great processor that is made for mainstream users who care about performance, speed and graphics. The Core i5 is suitable for most tasks, even heavy gaming. The Intel Core i7 is an even better processor that is made for enthusiasts and high-end users.

Is Intel i5 high end?

On the desktop, Intel’s Core i5 caters to mainstream and value-minded users who care about performance, while the Core i7 is made for enthusiasts and high-end users.

Which Intel core is the fastest?

Intel claims that the 5.6GHz turbo boost clock speed of the new Core i9 chip is the fastest mobile processor as of December 2022, with 11 percent faster single-thread performance and 49 percent faster multitask performance over the prior-generation Intel Core i9-12900HK chip.

Conclusion

Remember we’re dealing with a bunch of high-performance CPUs. You’ll gain a few fps by opting for a faster processor, of course, and we recommend anyone serious about absolute performance ought to look towards Raptor Lake-based chips.