Intel Core i5-13400F vs Intel Core i7-11700KF Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11700KF and Intel Core i5-13400F occupy similar performance tiers, with average benchmark scores of 25,423 and 25,292, respectively. Both processors sit at the 77th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the same competitive bracket. The i7-11700KF is an end-of-life Rocket Lake part from the 11th Gen, while the i5-13400F is an active Raptor Lake chip from the 13th Gen. Despite the i5's lower launch MSRP of $196 versus $374 for the i7, the benchmark data shows a split decision across workloads, with the i7 winning 10 head-to-head tests and the i5 winning 15.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700KF leads with an average benchmark score of 25,423, while the Intel Core i5-13400F trails slightly at 25,292. The difference is minimal, representing less than a 1% gap in overall performance.

Q: How does the i7-11700KF perform in 3DMark threaded tests compared to the i5-13400F?

A: The i7-11700KF wins every 3DMark test. Its largest advantage is in 3dmark_8_threads, where it scores 6,294 versus 5,591 for the i5, a 12.6% lead. Even in 3dmark_single_thread, the i7 edges ahead with a 1.9% advantage (978 vs 960).

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark win for the i5-13400F?

A: The i5-13400F's largest victory is in passmark_physics, scoring 1,437 against 985 for the i7, a 31.5% margin. This is followed by passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the i5 leads by 25.3% (83 vs 62).

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The i7-11700KF supports only DDR4 memory, while the i5-13400F supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The i7 has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i5's bandwidth figure is not specified.

Q: Are the core and thread counts identical between the two?

A: No. The i7-11700KF has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-13400F has 10 cores and 16 threads. Both have the same thread count, but the i5 has two additional physical cores.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-11700KF has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which is higher than the i5-13400F's boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The i7 also has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 2.50 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and microarchitectures. The i7-11700KF is built on Rocket Lake, a 14 nm node, while the i5-13400F uses Raptor Lake on a 10 nm node. This process difference is reflected in the die size: the Rocket Lake chip measures 276 mm², whereas the Raptor Lake chip is smaller at 215 mm². Both are manufactured by Intel.

Core configuration is a key differentiator. The i7-11700KF features 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-13400F packs 10 cores and 16 threads. The i5 achieves this with a hybrid arrangement, as indicated by its Raptor Lake architecture, though the exact P-core/E-core split is not specified in the data. Both CPUs have an L1 cache of 80 KB per core. The L2 cache differs significantly: the i7 has 512 KB per core, while the i5 has 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache also favors the i5, with 20 MB shared versus 16 MB shared on the i7.

Memory support and PCIe connectivity differ notably. The i7-11700KF supports only DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a measured bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i5-13400F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also on a dual-channel bus, but its bandwidth is not listed. For PCIe, the i7 offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i5 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither CPU includes integrated graphics, as both are F-series or KF-series parts.

The i7-11700KF has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, whereas the i5-13400F is locked. The i7 is designated end-of-life, with a release date of March 2021, while the i5 remains active and was released in January 2023. The i7's part number is SRKNN, and the i5's is SRMBGSRMBN.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a clear pattern: the i7-11700KF dominates 3DMark tests, while the i5-13400F excels in Cinebench and several PassMark workloads. In 3DMark, the i7 wins all seven listed tests. The biggest margins come in 3dmark_8_threads (6,294 vs 5,591, a 12.6% lead) and 3dmark_16_threads (8,067 vs 7,314, a 10.3% lead). The i7 also wins 3dmark_max_threads by 10.2% (8,049 vs 7,307). Even in 3dmark_2_threads, where the two are closest, the i7 leads by 1.5% (1,909 vs 1,880).

The i5-13400F takes a decisive lead in Cinebench. In cinebench_r23_multicore, the i5 scores 22,604 against 20,214 for the i7, a 10.6% advantage. The same 10.6% delta appears in cinebench_r15_multicore (2,278 vs 2,037) and cinebench_r23_singlecore (3,191 vs 2,853). The i5 also wins cinebench_r20_multicore by 4.5% (8,892 vs 8,489) and cinebench_r20_singlecore by 4.5% (1,255 vs 1,198). In Geekbench, the i5 leads multicore by 4.5% (11,068 vs 10,565) and singlecore by 2.9% (1,996 vs 1,938).

PassMark results are mixed. The i7-11700KF wins passmark_integer_math by 6.8% (85,377 vs 79,942) and passmark_random_string_sorting by 13.2% (36,309 vs 32,076). It also wins passmark_extended_instructions by 12.1% (22,247 vs 19,847) and passmark_data_compression by a narrow 2% (317,712 vs 311,364). The i5 counters with passmark_physics at 31.5% higher (1,437 vs 985) and passmark_find_prime_numbers at 25.3% higher (83 vs 62). The i5 also wins passmark_floating_point_math by 16.5% (60,539 vs 50,571), passmark_data_encryption by 8.3% (16,608 vs 15,229), passmark_single_thread by 7.3% (3,634 vs 3,368), and passmark_multithread by 4.8% (25,032 vs 23,819).

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specifications. Core count is 8 for the i7 versus 10 for the i5, while threads are equal at 16. Base clock on the i7 is 3.60 GHz compared to 2.50 GHz on the i5. Boost clock is 5.00 GHz for the i7 and 4.60 GHz for the i5. Thermal design power is 125 W for the i7 and 65 W for the i5. Socket types differ: the i7 uses Intel Socket 1200, while the i5 uses Intel Socket 1700.

Process node and die size differ, with the i7 on 14 nm and 276 mm² versus the i5 on 10 nm and 215 mm². L2 cache is 512 KB per core for the i7 and 1.25 MB per core for the i5. L3 cache is 16 MB shared for the i7 and 20 MB shared for the i5. Memory support is DDR4-only for the i7 versus DDR4 and DDR5 for the i5. Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s for the i7 and not specified for the i5. PCIe generation and lanes differ: Gen 4 with 20 lanes for the i7 versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the i5.

The i7 has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5 is locked. Production status is end-of-life for the i7 and active for the i5. Release dates are March 2021 and January 2023, respectively. Launch MSRP is $374 for the i7 and $196 for the i5. The i7's L1 cache matches the i5 at 80 KB per core, and both lack integrated graphics and ECC memory support.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-11700KF wins in 3DMark workloads across the board, including single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios. It also takes PassMark integer math, extended instructions, random string sorting, and data compression. This suggests a strength in workloads that rely on raw integer throughput and specific instruction set extensions. The 12.1% lead in extended instructions and the 13.2% lead in random string sorting are notable. The 3DMark wins, including a 10.3% margin in 16-thread tests, indicate the i7 handles graphics-related physics and simulation tasks well.

The i5-13400F wins in all Cinebench versions, both single-core and multi-core, with a consistent 10.6% lead in R15 and R23 and a 4.5% lead in R20. It also wins Geekbench multicore and singlecore. PassMark physics is a standout, with a 31.5% advantage, and floating-point math shows a 16.5% lead. The i5 also wins PassMark multithread, data encryption, find prime numbers, and single-thread tests. These results point to advantages in rendering, physics simulation, floating-point computation, and general productivity workloads.

The parallel wins in Cinebench and PassMark physics suggest the i5's additional cores and newer architecture benefit heavily threaded compute tasks. The i5's wins in single-thread tests (Cinebench R15, R20, R23, Geekbench, PassMark) indicate better per-core efficiency despite the i7's higher boost clock. The i7's wins are concentrated in 3DMark and specialized PassMark tests, where its higher clock speeds and older architecture still hold an edge.

The Verdict

From the data, the i5-13400F is the better choice for most modern workloads. It wins 15 of 25 head-to-head tests and beats the i7 in every Cinebench test, all Geekbench tests, and several PassMark workloads. The 10.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and the 31.5% lead in PassMark physics are decisive for rendering and simulation. The i5 also offers a lower TDP of 65 W versus 125 W, newer DDR5 memory support, and a smaller die size. Its active production status means continued availability.

The i7-11700KF retains a niche for specific tasks. It wins all 3DMark tests, with a 12.6% edge in 8-thread workloads and a 10.3% edge in 16-thread workloads. It also wins PassMark integer math, extended instructions, random string sorting, and data compression. Users with workloads that are heavily dependent on these specific instruction sets or on integer math may prefer the i7. Its higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz and unlocked multiplier for overclocking are advantages for enthusiasts who want to push performance manually.

For a balanced perspective, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 25,423 for the i7 and 25,292 for the i5. Both sit at the 77th percentile. The i5 achieves this with a lower power draw and newer platform. The i7 achieves it with older, higher-clocked cores. The choice depends on workload type. For general productivity, rendering, and physics-based tasks, the i5-13400F is the data-backed pick. For 3DMark-style simulations and integer-heavy processing, the i7-11700KF holds an edge. The i5's launch MSRP of $196 further distinguishes it from the i7's $374, though that consideration is separate from raw performance metrics.