AMD Ryzen 7 7840U vs Intel Core i5-13400F Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U and Intel Core i5-13400F are both 16-thread processors, but they serve different masters. The data shows a decisive 18-to-5 benchmark win for the Intel part, which dominates heavily in multi-core workloads and rendering. The AMD chip, however, is a mobile processor with integrated graphics, while the Intel is a desktop part without any. The verdict is straightforward from the numbers: the i5-13400F is the clear choice for raw compute performance, especially for multi-threaded desktop tasks. The Ryzen 7 7840U is the pick when the workload demands an integrated GPU, lower power consumption, or a mobile form factor, as its benchmark wins are narrower but specifically targeted at certain instruction types and integer-heavy operations.

The Verdict

The benchmark results paint a clear picture: the Intel Core i5-13400F is the superior processor for compute-heavy desktop workloads, winning 18 of the 23 head-to-head comparisons. Its most staggering victory is in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it scores 22,604 versus the AMD's 12,719, a massive 43.7% lead. This is not a marginal difference; it signals a fundamental advantage in sustained parallel processing. For users whose primary tasks are video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation, the i5-13400F is the logical choice based on this data alone.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U is not without merit. It wins in Geekbench single-core (2,077 vs 1,996, a 4.1% lead) and in PassMark integer math (90,852 vs 79,942, a 13.6% lead). These wins point to a different strength profile, but they are far fewer and generally smaller in magnitude. The Ryzen's role is defined by its form factor and feature set, not by raw performance dominance. It is a mobile chip with a 28W TDP, while the Intel is a 65W desktop part. The data suggests that if you are building a desktop and need performance, the i5-13400F is the one to get. If you need a laptop processor with an iGPU, the Ryzen 7 7840U is the only one of the two that fits that description.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two chips is stark. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U is built on TSMC's 4nm process node and uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Phoenix. It is a monolithic 8-core, 16-thread design with a die size of 178 mm² and 25,000 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-13400F, in contrast, uses Intel's 10nm process node and the Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-S. It has 10 cores and 16 threads, which implies a hybrid design, though the data does not specify P-core and E-core counts. Its die is larger at 215 mm², and its transistor count is not listed.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has more of everything: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger cache pool on the Intel side likely contributes to its strong multi-threaded performance. Memory support is another differentiator: the AMD supports only DDR5, while the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD has a listed memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel's is not provided. The AMD also supports ECC memory, which the Intel does not.

The most significant feature difference is the integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U includes a Radeon 780M iGPU, whereas the Intel Core i5-13400F has none. This is a decisive factor for system builders who need a display output without a discrete GPU. The AMD also has a higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz versus the Intel's 4.60 GHz, but a lower base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.50 GHz. The Intel supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the AMD is limited to PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The AMD uses the AMD Socket FP8, and the Intel uses the Intel Socket 1700.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel i5-13400F scores 22,604, a 43.7% advantage over the Ryzen 7 7840U's 12,719. This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison and establishes the Intel part as the dominant multi-threaded processor. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a smaller but still significant 12.6% lead for Intel (2,278 vs 1,990). In 3DMark, the Intel wins every test: 16-thread (7,314 vs 5,427, a 25.8% lead), 8-thread (5,591 vs 4,583, an 18% lead), and 4-thread (3,459 vs 3,029, a 12.4% lead). Geekbench multi-core also goes to Intel by 20.8% (11,068 vs 8,766).

The AMD's wins are more selective. Its Geekbench single-core score of 2,077 beats the Intel's 1,996 by 4.1%. In PassMark integer math, the AMD wins decisively with 90,852 versus 79,942, a 13.6% advantage. It also wins in data encryption (17,691 vs 16,608, a 6.5% lead), random string sorting (33,757 vs 32,076, a 5.2% lead), and extended instructions (20,432 vs 19,847, a 2.9% lead). These are not trivial wins, but they are in specialized areas. The Intel wins PassMark floating-point math by 14.5% (60,539 vs 51,767) and data compression by 7.3% (311,364 vs 288,604). In single-thread PassMark, the Intel ekes out a 1.9% win (3,634 vs 3,565). The near-tie in PassMark multi-thread (25,032 vs 24,782, just 1% for Intel) is notable, showing that in some aggregate workloads, the two are much closer than the Cinebench results suggest.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400F is significantly better. It wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a 43.7% lead (22,604 vs 12,719) and the Geekbench multi-core test by 20.8% (11,068 vs 8,766).

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U have any clear performance advantages?

A: Yes, but they are in specific areas. The AMD wins Geekbench single-core by 4.1% (2,077 vs 1,996) and PassMark integer math by 13.6% (90,852 vs 79,942). It also leads in data encryption and random string sorting.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance class?

A: The average benchmark scores are very close: the AMD has an average of 25,432, and the Intel has an average of 25,292. Both are in the 77th percentile of all CPUs. However, the distribution of wins varies greatly, with the Intel dominating multi-threaded tests.

Q: Can these processors be used in the same type of computer?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U is a mobile processor with an integrated Radeon 780M GPU and a 28W TDP. The Intel Core i5-13400F is a desktop processor with no integrated graphics and a 65W TDP. They use different sockets (AMD Socket FP8 vs Intel Socket 1700).

Q: Which processor supports more memory types?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U supports only DDR5. The AMD does have a listed memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel's is not provided.

Q: What is the significance of the core count difference?

A: The Intel has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. This two-core advantage for Intel, combined with its larger L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB), likely explains its substantial lead in multi-threaded benchmarks like Cinebench R23.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-13400F is the definitive winner in multi-threaded and rendering workloads. Its 43.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it the obvious choice for video editing, 3D rendering, and any task that scales across all cores. It also wins in 3DMark across all thread counts, indicating better performance in simulated gaming and physics workloads. The Intel's wins in PassMark floating-point math and data compression further solidify its position for scientific computing and file archiving tasks. Its higher single-thread PassMark score (3,634 vs 3,565) and Cinebench R23 single-core score (3,191 vs 1,677.5) show it also handles lightly-threaded tasks like general office work faster.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U wins in specific niches. Its 13.6% lead in integer math suggests a strength in cryptography and certain database operations. The 6.5% win in data encryption reinforces this. The 5.2% win in random string sorting points to potential advantages in text processing or log analysis. Its Geekbench single-core win of 4.1% is interesting, but the Intel wins other single-core tests. The AMD's most crucial advantage is not a benchmark score: it is the integrated Radeon 780M GPU, which allows the system to run without a discrete graphics card. Its 28W TDP also makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops, a category the 65W desktop Intel chip cannot enter.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-13400F has 10 cores and 16 threads. The AMD has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, whereas the Intel has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The AMD has a TDP of 28W, and the Intel has a TDP of 65W. The AMD uses the AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel uses the Intel Socket 1700. The AMD is built on a 4nm process by TSMC, and the Intel is built on a 10nm process by Intel. The AMD has a die size of 178 mm², and the Intel has a die size of 215 mm².

Cache sizes differ: the AMD has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. Memory support is different: the AMD supports only DDR5, while the Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel's is not listed. The AMD supports ECC memory, the Intel does not. PCIe support differs: the AMD has Gen 4 with 20 lanes, the Intel has Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The AMD has integrated Radeon 780M graphics, while the Intel has no integrated graphics. The AMD is for the mobile market, the Intel is for the desktop market. The Intel has a listed launch MSRP of $196.