Intel Core i5-12400 vs Intel Core i5-13400

The Intel Core i5-13400 comes from the Alder Lake Refresh architecture and is the direct successor to the Intel Core i5-12400.

Even if you usually can't expect much increase in performance with a generation jump, the Intel Core i5-13400 is definitely convincing here. The reason for this is that Intel has given the Intel Core i5-13400 four E-cores (efficiency cores) from the Gracemont CPU architecture for the first time.

The previous model, Intel Core i5-12400, was delivered with 6 pure P cores. The new structure corresponds to a hybrid core structure, in which two or more core architectures are combined. Processors with a hybrid core structure are usually very energy efficient when idle because they only use the smaller E cores.

When comparing the Intel Core i5-13400 with the Intel Core i5-12400, the first thing you notice is the slightly increased clock frequency of 4.6 GHz (previously 4.4 GHz). The E-cores of the Intel Core i5-13400 clock significantly lower at 1.8 GHz or 3.3 GHz in Turbo.

In total, the Intel Core i5-13400 has 10 CPU cores and 16 threads available, while its predecessor has 6 CPU cores and 12 threads. Almost nothing has changed with the iGPU (integrated graphics unit). Both processors use the Intel UHD Graphics 730, with the Intel Core i5-13400 clocking at 1.55 GHz, 0.1 GHz higher than the Intel Core i5-12400.

Both processors support a maximum of 128 GB of DDR5-4800 or DDR4-3200 RAM. Unofficially, higher RAM frequencies are usually not a problem. Whether DDR4 or the newer DDR5 memory is used depends on the mainboard used. Only one storage type is possible at a time. A maximum of two memory channels are supported.

When using DDR5-4800 RAM, a maximum memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s is possible.

• 6 Performance Cores, 12 Threads
• Solid Single- and Multi-Core Performance
• Good Value for Money
• Suitable for budget-conscious gaming and standard tasks