Intel Core i5-13400F vs Intel Core i7-11850H Comparison

Intel Core i5-13400F vs Intel Core i7-11850H

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-13400F wins 18 of 19 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the only exception being a narrow loss in one PassMark arithmetic test. The i5-13400F delivers a 35.6% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core, a 38.3% lead in Geekbench multi-core, and a 50.6% margin in PassMark physics. The i7-11850H is a capable mobile processor, but it is consistently behind across rendering, encryption, compression, and math workloads. If you are building a desktop system and can use the LGA 1700 platform, the i5-13400F is the clear choice from the recorded measurements. The i7-11850H still has a place in laptops where its lower 35W TDP and integrated graphics matter, but the benchmark data does not favor it in raw performance. For users who need a mobile processor with a modest power envelope, the i7-11850H remains relevant, but anyone prioritizing compute performance should select the i5-13400F.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different market segments. The i5-13400F is a Raptor Lake desktop part, built on the Raptor Lake-S architecture, while the i7-11850H is a Tiger Lake-H mobile chip. Both use a 10 nm process node and are manufactured by Intel, but the design goals differ. The i5-13400F has 10 cores and 16 threads, whereas the i7-11850H has 8 cores and 16 threads. This means the desktop chip relies on a hybrid core arrangement with additional efficiency cores, while the mobile chip uses a more traditional 8-core layout. The i5-13400F has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The i7-11850H starts lower at 2.10 GHz but boosts higher to 4.80 GHz. Despite the higher boost clock on the mobile part, the benchmark results show the desktop chip pulling ahead in single-threaded workloads, which indicates architectural efficiency matters more than raw clock speed.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both processors share the same L1 cache at 80 KB per core and the same L2 cache at 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache favors the i7-11850H with 24 MB shared, while the i5-13400F has 20 MB shared. The mobile chip also has a smaller die size at 190 mm² compared to 215 mm² for the desktop part. Memory support separates the two clearly: the i5-13400F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i7-11850H is limited to DDR4. The i7-11850H has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i5-13400F does not have a recorded memory bandwidth figure. The desktop chip offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the mobile part uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The i7-11850H includes integrated UHD Graphics 750, whereas the i5-13400F has no integrated graphics, as indicated by the F suffix. The i7-11850H uses the Intel BGA 1787 socket and is a mobile part, while the i5-13400F fits the Intel Socket 1700 for desktop builds. Both processors have locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-13400F dominates nearly every workload in the recorded data. Starting with Cinebench R15, the desktop chip scores 2278 multi-core versus 1680 for the mobile chip, a 35.6% difference. Single-core in R15 shows the same margin at 35.4%, with scores of 321 and 237. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-13400F leads by 27% in both multi-core (8892 vs 7002) and single-core (1255 vs 988). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: 22604 versus 16673 multi-core and 3191 versus 2353 single-core, both at 35.6%. Geekbench multi-core gives the desktop chip its largest margin in the CPU benchmark suite at 38.3%, with 11068 against 8002. Geekbench single-core shows a smaller but still substantial 17.2% lead, 1996 versus 1703.

PassMark tests reveal where the i7-11850H can keep pace. In integer math, the i5-13400F scores 79942 against 71996, an 11% margin. Random string sorting sees a 13% lead for the desktop chip, 32076 versus 28395. Floating-point math is a much larger gap: 60539 versus 42540, a 42.3% difference. Data compression shows the i5-13400F at 311364 against 236949, a 31.4% lead. Data encryption follows at 36%, with 16608 versus 12214. Extended instructions favor the desktop chip by 25.7%, 19847 versus 15788. Multi-thread performance in PassMark is 24.8% higher for the i5-13400F, 25032 versus 20059. Single-thread performance in PassMark shows an 18.4% lead, 3634 versus 3069. Physics is the biggest win for the i5-13400F at 50.6%, with 1437 versus 954.

The single benchmark where the i7-11850H wins is PassMark find prime numbers. Here the mobile chip scores 87 against 83 for the desktop part, a 4.6% difference in favor of the i7-11850H. This is a narrow margin and an isolated result. It suggests the mobile chip has a slight edge in a specific prime-number calculation workload, but it does little to offset the broader performance gap. Across the full head-to-head set, the i5-13400F wins 18 tests and the i7-11850H wins one.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: The i5-13400F is significantly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 22604 versus 16673 for the i7-11850H, a 35.6% advantage. Cinebench R20 shows a 27% lead, and Cinebench R15 also shows 35.6%.

Q: Does the i7-11850H win any benchmarks at all?

A: Yes, one test. The i7-11850H scores 87 in PassMark find prime numbers, while the i5-13400F scores 83, a 4.6% difference. Every other benchmark in the head-to-head comparison favors the i5-13400F.

Q: How large is the single-threaded performance gap?

A: The i5-13400F leads in all single-thread tests. Geekbench single-core shows 1996 versus 1703, a 17.2% margin. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3191 versus 2353, a 35.6% margin. PassMark single-thread shows 3634 versus 3069, an 18.4% lead.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the i5-13400F supports DDR5. It also supports DDR4. The i7-11850H is limited to DDR4 only, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two?

A: The i7-11850H has a TDP of 35W, while the i5-13400F has a TDP of 65W. This reflects the mobile design of the i7-11850H and the desktop design of the i5-13400F.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i7-11850H includes UHD Graphics 750. The i5-13400F has no integrated graphics, which is what the F suffix indicates. You will need a discrete GPU with the i5-13400F.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-13400F wins across almost every measurable workload category. It is the pick for CPU-heavy tasks including video rendering, 3D modeling, data compression, encryption, and multi-threaded productivity. Its 35.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it the stronger choice for content creation. The 38.3% margin in Geekbench multi-core reinforces this. In floating-point math, the 42.3% lead shows a clear advantage for scientific and engineering workloads. The 50.6% physics score indicates superior performance in physics simulations and related compute tasks. The i5-13400F also wins single-threaded tests by margins from 17.2% to 35.6%, so it is better for lightly threaded applications, web browsing, and general desktop responsiveness.

The i7-11850H has a narrower set of wins. Its only benchmark victory is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it beats the i5-13400F by 4.6%. This suggests it has a slight edge in a specific prime-finding workload, which could matter for certain mathematical applications. Beyond that, the i7-11850H offers the advantage of integrated graphics, which the i5-13400F lacks entirely. The mobile chip also operates at a 35W TDP, meaning it is designed for power-constrained laptop environments. For users who need a processor in a mobile form factor with moderate power draw and built-in display output, the i7-11850H is the functional choice. The i5-13400F requires a separate GPU and a desktop motherboard, so it is not suitable for portable systems.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-13400F has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-11850H has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clock speeds are 2.50 GHz for the desktop chip and 2.10 GHz for the mobile chip. Boost clocks are 4.60 GHz and 4.80 GHz respectively. The TDP differs significantly: 65W for the i5-13400F versus 35W for the i7-11850H. The i5-13400F uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the i7-11850H uses the Intel BGA 1787 socket. The desktop part is built on Raptor Lake architecture with a 215 mm² die, while the mobile part uses Tiger Lake with a 190 mm² die. Both use a 10 nm process.

Cache sizes are identical for L1 and L2: 80 KB per core and 1.25 MB per core respectively. The L3 cache differs, with the i5-13400F offering 20 MB shared and the i7-11850H offering 24 MB shared. The i5-13400F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i7-11850H only supports DDR4. The i7-11850H has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i5-13400F has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. PCIe support differs: the i5-13400F has Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the i7-11850H has Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The i7-11850H includes integrated UHD Graphics 750, while the i5-13400F has no integrated graphics. The i5-13400F was released on 2023-01-03 with a launch MSRP of $196. The i7-11850H was released on 2021-05-10 with a launch MSRP of $395. Both processors have locked multipliers and do not support ECC memory. The i5-13400F is a desktop part, while the i7-11850H is a mobile part. Both are currently marked as active in production.