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Quick Answer
The i3-13100F handles the RTX 4060 well at 1080p, with only a 3-6% performance gap versus the i5-13400F. At 1440p, the difference is negligible. This 4-core CPU is an excellent ultra-budget choice for an RTX 4060 build.
The i3-13100F is the cheapest current-gen Intel CPU worth buying. With 4 cores and 8 threads based on Raptor Lake, it offers better IPC than the older i3-12100F while remaining extremely affordable.
The 13100F has a slight IPC advantage over the 12100F, resulting in 3-5% higher gaming performance. Both are excellent budget options, so choose whichever is cheaper at the time of purchase.
Some modern titles are starting to benefit from more than 4 cores. Starfield, Cities: Skylines 2, and other thread-heavy games will show a larger gap versus 6-core CPUs. For most popular multiplayer and AAA games, 4 cores remains sufficient.
The i3-13100F + B760 + 16GB DDR4 platform costs under $250 AUD. That is over $200 less than an i5-13400F build with DDR5, money that can go toward a better GPU, monitor, or SSD.
Our Verdict
The i3-13100F is a smart ultra-budget choice for the RTX 4060. You sacrifice minimal gaming performance while saving significantly on platform costs. Upgrade to an i5 later when prices drop if you need more cores.