The gap changes with resolution.
CPU differences shrink as resolution rises — at 4K the graphics card does most of the work.
| Resolution | i5-14400F | i5-13400F | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 80 | 79 | +1% |
| 1440p | 77 | 76 | +1% |
| 4K | 75 | 74 | +1% |
In a real build with a RTX 3080.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
| Game (1440p, paired with the RTX 3080) | i5-14400F | i5-13400F |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 305 fps | 303 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 262 fps | 261 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 131 fps | 130 fps |
| Elden Ring | 107 fps | 106 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 81 fps | 81 fps |
| Starfield | 81 fps | 81 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
Whichever is cheaper on the day. There is roughly 1% between them at 1440p, which you will not notice in a game.
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Common questions.
Straight answers on the i5-14400F versus the i5-13400F.
Is the i5-14400F better than the i5-13400F?
They are close enough to call a tie. At 1440p the i5-14400F scores 77 on our index against 76 for the i5-13400F — a gap of about 1%, which is inside the margin where you would not feel a difference while gaming. Buy whichever is cheaper or easier to find.
Does the i5-14400F or i5-13400F bottleneck a RTX 3080?
Paired with a RTX 3080 at 1440p, the i5-14400F build comes out balanced, and the i5-13400F build comes out balanced. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the i5-13400F to the i5-14400F?
No. A 1% index gap will not be visible in games, and the money is better spent on the other side of the build — usually the GPU.
Which is better value, the i5-14400F or the i5-13400F?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the i5-14400F wins. The i5-14400F lists at $196 for an index of 77, and the i5-13400F at $196 for 76.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a CPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.