Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i5-13400 (Intel, 2023) and Core i5-13420H (Intel, 2023) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i5-13400 is about 20% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1700 / BGA), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i5-13400 | i5-13420H |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 24,000 | 20,000 |
| Generation | 13th Gen | 13th Gen |
| Socket | LGA1700 | BGA |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Type | Desktop | Laptop |
| Compatible GPU Example | Radeon RX 7800 XT | GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i5-13400 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i5-13420H (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i5-13400 is about 20% higher by score (i5-13400: 24000 points / i5-13420H: 20000 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
Both are 13th Gen-generation CPUs.The sockets differ (LGA1700 / BGA), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, Radeon RX 7800 XT pairs well with i5-13400 and GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU pairs well with i5-13420H. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
