Intel Core i5-13400T vs Intel Core i9-12900TE Comparison

The Intel Core i5-13400T and Intel Core i9-12900TE are both 35W desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1700 platform. They share the same 10nm process node and 215 mm² die size, but differ significantly in core count, cache, and clock speeds. The i5 is a Raptor Lake part from the 13th generation, while the i9 is an Alder Lake part from the 12th generation. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory and feature PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The database records show a clear performance hierarchy in Cinebench, with the i9 winning every head-to-head test, though the i5 posts a higher average benchmark score overall.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results cover six Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i9-12900TE wins all six. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9 scores 1759 against the i5's 1716, a 2.4% lead. Single-core R15 sees the i9 at 248 versus 242, also 2.4% ahead. Moving to R20, the i9 leads 7333 to 7152 in multi-core and 1035 to 1009 in single-core, both 2.5% margins. In R23, the i9 posts 17461 multi-core and 2465 single-core, while the i5 manages 17029 and 2404, again 2.5% gaps. The pattern is consistent: the i9 is roughly 2.5% faster across all Cinebench versions, in both single and multi-threaded workloads. The i5 does have Geekbench results in the database, with a multi-core score of 10227 and single-core of 1899, but the i9 has no Geekbench entry, so no direct comparison is possible there. The i5's average benchmark score of 5210 is higher than the i9's 5050, but that average includes Geekbench, which the i9 lacks.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel's 10nm process and share the same 215 mm² die size. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core and L2 is 1.25 MB per core on both. The key differences lie in core count, L3 cache, and architecture generation. The i9-12900TE has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the i5-13400T has 10 cores and 16 threads. The i9's L3 cache is 30 MB shared, compared to 20 MB on the i5. The i9 is based on Alder Lake, while the i5 uses Raptor Lake. The i9 has a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.40 GHz on the i5, but a lower base clock of 1.10 GHz versus 1.30 GHz. The integrated graphics differ: the i9 has UHD Graphics 770, the i5 has UHD Graphics 730. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5 is locked. The i9 was released in January 2022, the i5 in January 2023. The i5 has a part number of SRMBR, while the i9's part number is not recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900TE has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i5-13400T has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-12900TE boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the i5-13400T boosts to 4.40 GHz.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare?

A: The i9-12900TE has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-13400T has 20 MB.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i5-13400T has an average benchmark score of 5210, compared to 5050 for the i9-12900TE. However, the i5's score includes Geekbench results, which the i9 does not have.

Q: Are both CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The i9-12900TE has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-13400T is locked.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: The i5-13400T was released in January 2023, while the i9-12900TE was released in January 2022.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear winner in Cinebench: the i9-12900TE takes all six head-to-head tests, with margins of 2.4% to 2.5%. For any workload that relies on Cinebench scores, the i9 is the faster part. It also offers more cores, threads, and L3 cache, plus an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The i5-13400T, however, posts a higher average benchmark score (5210 vs 5050) and includes Geekbench results that the i9 lacks. The i5 is also newer. If you need maximum Cinebench performance and overclocking headroom, the i9 is the choice. If you prefer a newer platform and a higher average score across the database, the i5 is worth considering. Both CPUs share the same 35W TDP and socket, so they fit the same power envelope.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs share the same socket (Intel Socket 1700), TDP (35W), process node (10nm), die size (215 mm²), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L2 cache (1.25 MB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (false), PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 20 lanes), and market segment (Desktop). The differences are:

• Cores: 10 (i5) vs 16 (i9)
• Threads: 16 (i5) vs 24 (i9)
• Base clock: 1.30 GHz (i5) vs 1.10 GHz (i9)
• Boost clock: 4.40 GHz (i5) vs 4.80 GHz (i9)
• L3 cache: 20 MB (i5) vs 30 MB (i9)
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 (i5) vs UHD Graphics 770 (i9)
• Architecture: Raptor Lake (i5) vs Alder Lake (i9)
• Generation: Core i5 (Raptor Lake) vs Core i9 (Alder Lake-S)
• Release date: 2023-01-03 (i5) vs 2022-01-03 (i9)
• Launch MSRP: $221 (i5) vs $494 (i9)
• Multiplier unlocked: false (i5) vs true (i9)
• Part number: SRMBR (i5) vs null (i9)

Where Each One Wins

The i9-12900TE wins every Cinebench test in the head-to-head comparison. That makes it the stronger choice for Cinebench-based rendering and multi-threaded workloads that scale with core count and cache. Its 16 cores, 24 threads, and 30 MB L3 cache give it a structural advantage. The i5-13400T, on the other hand, has a higher average benchmark score (5210 vs 5050) and recorded Geekbench scores of 10227 multi-core and 1899 single-core. For users who rely on Geekbench as a productivity metric, the i5 has a known performance level, though the i9 has no Geekbench result to compare. The i9 also has an unlocked multiplier, so it can be overclocked for additional performance, while the i5 is locked. The i5 is newer, which may appeal to builders who prioritize a recent platform. In summary, the i9 wins on raw Cinebench performance and overclocking capability, while the i5 wins on average score and Geekbench availability.