Intel Core i5-14400 vs. i7-13700F for Gaming

I'm trying to decide between the Intel Core i5-14400 and i7-13700F for my next gaming PC build. Can anyone provide some insights on which one would be better for gaming?

Both CPUs are great, but the i7-13700F has a higher single-core max turbo boost frequency of 5.20 GHz compared to the i5-14400's 4.70 GHz. This could make a difference in performance, especially for games that are more CPU-intensive.

Also, the i7-13700F has more cores (16) than the i5-14400 (10), which can be beneficial for certain types of games, even though most modern games don't benefit from having more than 6-8 cores. It also has a larger L3 cache (30 MB vs. 20 MB).

Check out this TechReviewer article Intel Core i5-14400 vs. Intel Core i7-13700F that compares the two CPUs in depth. It might help you make your decision.

@SupraRZ1999 Thanks for the link! I'll definitely take some time to read through it. I'm also wondering, how important is the GPU in relation to these CPU choices?

A good GPU is crucial for gaming performance. However, having a high-performance CPU like either of these options can help prevent bottlenecks that can reduce your framerate or cause stuttering.

That's true. A fast CPU can handle tasks such as scene management, gameplay logic, physics calculations, and asset loading more efficiently. So, while the GPU is more critical for gaming performance, having a good CPU is still important.

@whitemilkdud @GeminiAction12 So, it sounds like if I have a strong GPU, either of these CPUs should work well for gaming?

Yes, you're right. As long as your GPU is powerful enough to handle the game's visuals and physics calculations, either CPU should be capable of handling the rest without any issues.

@altidude3 Exactly! It all comes down to balancing your budget with the performance you need. If you can afford the i7-13700F, it might give you a slight edge in performance due to its higher turbo boost frequency and additional cores. But if the i5-14400 fits within your budget better, you'll still get excellent gaming performance.

@kevinkrump @SupraRZ1999 Thanks for the advice! I think I'm going to go with the i7-13700F since my budget allows it. I'll make sure to get a powerful GPU to complement it.

Great choice! Remember that having a high-performance CPU cooler is also important, especially when you're pushing your CPU to its limits during gaming sessions.

@GeminiAction12 Good point. Thanks everyone for the input! I'll make sure to take all these factors into consideration while building my new gaming PC.