Two versions of Intel Core i5-13400F processors, B-0 and C-0: performance is essentially the same

In early January of this year, Intel released a series of new Raptor Lake products, including the 13th generation Core desktop processors with TDPs of 65W/35W and the 13th generation Core mobile processors, as well as the N-series processors targeting entry-level computing. Among them, the Core i5-13400 and Core i5-13400F processors were the focus of attention for many gamers and viewed as the preferred choice for building gaming PCs.

Previously, Intel confirmed that the Core i5-13400 and Core i5-13400F processors have two versions of chips, B-0 and C-0. B-0 corresponds to Raptor Lake, while C-0 corresponds to Alder Lake, and theoretically, there may be some differences between the two. Recently, HWCooling.net found both versions of the Intel Core i5-13400F processor and tested them.

Intel did not print B-0 and C-0 on the surface of the chip, and to identify which one it is, one needs to check the S-Spec code. B-0 corresponds to SRMBG, while C-0 corresponds to SRMBN. It is known that the B-0 version is rarely seen in the retail market and is mainly used in systems built by OEM manufacturers. Ordinary gamers generally buy the C-0 version in the retail market.

In actual testing, the B-0 and C-0 versions of the Core i5-13400F processor had little difference in performance overall, with almost no difference in memory and cache performance. In each item, the B-0 version had the largest lead in “F1 2020,” with an average frame rate lead of 5% (325.8fps vs 311.4fps), but the difference in the lowest frame rate was greater, with a lead of up to 10% (258.5fps vs 234.7fps).

However, in some tests, there may be some differences in power consumption between the two versions. Overall, the B-0 version had lower energy efficiency than the C-0 version, but there was no difference in gaming performance. Surprisingly, in FLAC audio recording, the B-0 version had a 42% higher energy efficiency performance than the C-0 version. Raptor Lake had a power consumption of 18.5W, while Alder Lake had 26.17W.

Although the B-0 and C-0 versions have some differences in architecture, gamers do not need to worry about which version they are purchasing or the performance, as the slight differences cannot be felt in practical use.