Intel Core i3-13100F vs Intel Core i5-11400F Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two Intel desktop processors. The Intel Core i5-11400F wins 14 of the 19 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i3-13100F takes 5. The i5-11400F is the stronger overall choice for multi-threaded workloads and content creation, thanks to its 6 cores and 12 threads versus the i3-13100F's 4 cores and 8 threads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-11400F scores 14,340 against 12,458 for the i3-13100F, a 13.1% advantage. The i5-11400F also leads in Passmark integer math by 25.3% (57,624 vs 43,038) and in random string sorting by 31.3% (24,124 vs 16,569).

However, the i3-13100F is the pick for single-thread responsiveness. It wins Geekbench single-core by 15.7% (2,056 vs 1,777), Passmark single-thread by 21.1% (3,609 vs 2,981), and Passmark physics by 25.3% (1,055 vs 842). The i3-13100F also posts a 19.6% win in Passmark prime number finding (61 vs 51). For gaming or lightly threaded applications where per-core performance matters most, the i3-13100F's newer architecture delivers measurable gains.

The production status tells part of the story: the i5-11400F is end-of-life, while the i3-13100F remains active. The i3-13100F uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform with PCIe Gen 5 support, whereas the i5-11400F uses Intel Socket 1200 with PCIe Gen 4. Buyers building a new system today should favor the i3-13100F for platform longevity, while those already on Socket 1200 or needing maximum multi-core throughput from a budget part should consider the i5-11400F.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F. It leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 13.1% (14,340 vs 12,458), in Passmark integer math by 25.3% (57,624 vs 43,038), and in Passmark multithread by 13.1% (16,908 vs 14,687).

Q: Which processor wins in single-core tests?

A: The Intel Core i3-13100F. It wins Geekbench single-core by 15.7% (2,056 vs 1,777), Passmark single-thread by 21.1% (3,609 vs 2,981), and Passmark physics by 25.3% (1,055 vs 842).

Q: What is the core and thread configuration difference?

A: The i5-11400F has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i3-13100F has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-11400F's two extra cores explain its multi-core dominance across most benchmarks.

Q: How do the launch prices compare?

A: The i3-13100F has a launch MSRP of $109, and the i5-11400F has a launch MSRP of $157.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory standards?

A: The i3-13100F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i5-11400F supports DDR4 only. The i5-11400F has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: The i3-13100F is listed as Active, while the i5-11400F is listed as End-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and microarchitectures. The i3-13100F is built on Raptor Lake (Raptor Lake-S) using a 10 nm process node with a die size of 163 mm². The i5-11400F is built on Rocket Lake using a 14 nm process node with a die size of 276 mm². The smaller 10 nm process gives the i3-13100F a transistor density and efficiency advantage, though the exact transistor counts are not recorded in the database.

The cache hierarchy differs significantly. Both share 12 MB of L3 cache, but the L2 cache is different: the i3-13100F has 1.25 MB per core, while the i5-11400F has 512 KB per core. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core. The larger per-core L2 cache on the i3-13100F contributes to its single-thread performance wins.

Memory support diverges as well. The i3-13100F supports DDR4 and DDR5, giving it a path to newer memory technologies. The i5-11400F is limited to DDR4, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses, and neither supports ECC memory.

The PCIe interfaces differ by generation. The i3-13100F offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-11400F offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This makes the i3-13100F more future-proof for high-bandwidth storage and graphics cards.

The i3-13100F has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.40 GHz for the i5-11400F, but the i5-11400F has a higher base clock at 2.60 GHz compared to 3.40 GHz for the i3-13100F. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either part. The i5-11400F has a higher TDP at 65 watts versus 58 watts for the i3-13100F.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-13100F | Intel Core i5-11400F |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 58 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Rocket Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 163 mm² | 276 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2021-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $109 | $157 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Part Number | SRMBV | SRKP1 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-11400F dominates the Cinebench suite across the board. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1,445 against 1,255 for the i3-13100F, a 13.1% advantage. The single-core R15 result is similar: 204 vs 177, a 13.2% edge for the i5-11400F. The pattern repeats in R20 multi-core (6,022 vs 5,232, 13.1% ahead) and R20 single-core (850 vs 738, 13.2% ahead). In Cinebench R23, the i5-11400F posts 14,340 multi-core and 2,024 single-core, versus 12,458 and 1,758 respectively, with the same 13.1% deltas.

Geekbench splits the verdict. The i5-11400F wins multi-core by a narrow 1.1% margin (7,737 vs 7,655), but the i3-13100F takes single-core decisively by 15.7% (2,056 vs 1,777). This suggests the i3-13100F's newer cores are more efficient per thread, but the i5-11400F's additional cores compensate in multi-threaded tasks.

Passmark results heavily favor the i5-11400F in compute-heavy workloads. Data compression shows a 19.4% lead (208,472 vs 168,043). Data encryption is 17.1% ahead (10,247 vs 8,496). Extended instructions see a 23.8% gap (14,976 vs 11,407). Integer math is the largest win for the i5-11400F at 25.3% (57,624 vs 43,038). Random string sorting shows a 31.3% advantage (24,124 vs 16,569). Floating point math is closer, with the i5-11400F ahead by just 1.8% (34,127 vs 33,510). Passmark multithread also goes to the i5-11400F by 13.1% (16,908 vs 14,687).

The i3-13100F's wins are concentrated in single-thread and specialized tests. Passmark physics shows a 25.3% advantage (1,055 vs 842), the same margin as the i5-11400F's integer math win. Passmark single-thread (both recorded variants) gives the i3-13100F a 21.1% lead (3,609 vs 2,981). Prime number finding goes to the i3-13100F by 19.6% (61 vs 51).

The win count is lopsided: 14 for the i5-11400F and 5 for the i3-13100F. Both processors sit at the 71st percentile among all CPUs in the database. The average benchmark scores are close, with the i3-13100F at 17,653 and the i5-11400F at 17,177, a difference of about 2.8%. The nearest rivals to the i3-13100F include the Intel Core i7-1255U (17,656, 0% delta) and the Intel Core i3-14100T (17,648, 0% delta). The i5-11400F's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7H12 (17,120, 0.3% delta) and the Intel Core i5-12450H (17,239, -0.4% delta).

The data shows a straightforward tradeoff. The i5-11400F is the multi-threaded workhorse with broad wins across compression, encryption, integer math, and rendering workloads. The i3-13100F is the single-thread specialist, winning physics, prime number finding, and single-core Geekbench tests while offering a newer platform with DDR5 support and PCIe Gen 5.