Athlon 64 FX-51
VS
Core i5-13600K

Athlon 64 FX-51 vs Core i5-13600K

AMD

Athlon 64 FX-51

1 Cores1 Thrd89 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2003
VS
Intel

Core i5-13600K

14 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Athlon 64 FX-51 is positioned at rank #1133 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 FX-51

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
371089%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
350643%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
254595%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
76699%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
60754%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
53148%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
30440%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
30043%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
27355%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
27352%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
27046%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
26317%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
25949%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
25844%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
25610%
#1133
Athlon 64 FX-51
MSRP: $733|Avg: $733
100%
#1134
Athlon 64 FX-55
MSRP: $827|Avg: $50
99%
#1135
Athlon 64 FX-53
MSRP: $799|Avg: $15
96%
#1136
Athlon XP 2000+
MSRP: $339|Avg: $40
88%
#1137
Athlon 64 FX-57
MSRP: $1031|Avg: $200
83%
#1138
Athlon XP 3000+
MSRP: $588|Avg: $20
82%
#1139
Athlon XP 2100+
MSRP: $420|Avg: $30
75%
#1140
Pentium III 1266S
MSRP: $369|Avg: $20
68%
#1141
Pentium 4 1.80
MSRP: $562|Avg: $40
48%
#1142
Pentium III 1133
MSRP: $990|Avg: $30
21%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-13600K

#120
Ryzen 5 5600XT
MSRP: $192|Avg: $180
105%
#121
Core i5-13600
MSRP: $255|Avg: $255
105%
#122
Core i3-13100F
MSRP: $109|Avg: $119
104%
#123
Ryzen 5 5600G
MSRP: $259|Avg: $160
104%
#124
Core Ultra 9 285K
MSRP: $589|Avg: $550
104%
#125
Core i5-13400E
MSRP: $221|Avg: $221
103%
#126
Ryzen 7 8700F
MSRP: $270|Avg: $257
103%
#127
Core i9-14900KF
MSRP: $564|Avg: $480
103%
#128
Core i7-12700K
MSRP: $409|Avg: $285
102%
#129
Core i9-13900KF
MSRP: $599|Avg: $480
102%
#130
Core i7-12700
MSRP: $250|Avg: $250
102%
#131
Core Ultra 5 245T
MSRP: $270|Avg: $270
102%
#132
Core i5-8500
MSRP: $192|Avg: $80
101%
#133
Core i5-9400F
MSRP: $182|Avg: $80
100%
#134
Core i5-11400
MSRP: $182|Avg: $141
100%
#135
Core i5-13600K
MSRP: $329|Avg: $319
100%
#136
Core i5-13500
MSRP: $242|Avg: $264
100%
#137
Ryzen 7 8700G
MSRP: $329|Avg: $269
100%
#138
Core i7-14700
MSRP: $384|Avg: $348
100%
#139
Ryzen 5 2500X
MSRP: $159|Avg: $80
99%
#140
Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE
MSRP: $100|Avg: $60
99%
#141
Core i9-13900K
MSRP: $599|Avg: $500
99%
#142
Core i3-14100
MSRP: $134|Avg: $131
98%
#143
Ryzen 5 3400G
MSRP: $149|Avg: $80
97%
#144
Core i7-10700KF
MSRP: $405|Avg: $160
97%
#145
Core i5-11600K
MSRP: $262|Avg: $170
97%
#146
Core i7-13700K
MSRP: $409|Avg: $400
97%
#147
Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G
MSRP: $149|Avg: $80
96%
#148
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X
MSRP: $329|Avg: $150
96%
#149
Core i9-12900KS
MSRP: $739|Avg: $385
96%
#150
Ryzen 5 5500X3D
MSRP: $185|Avg: $180
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-13600K (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightAthlon 64 FX-51Core i5-13600K
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($733)
More affordable ($319)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (SledgeHammer (2003−2005) / 130 nm)
✨ Modern (Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Athlon 64 FX-51 (2003) relies on 130 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightAthlon 64 FX-51Core i5-13600K
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+13969%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($733)
More affordable ($319)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Athlon 64 FX-51 and Core i5-13600K

AMD

Athlon 64 FX-51

The Athlon 64 FX-51 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the SledgeHammer (2003−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: 940. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 615 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i5-13600K

The Core i5-13600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 37,655 points. Launch price was $319.

Processing Power

The Athlon 64 FX-51 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i5-13600K offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13600K has 13 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-51 versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K — a 79.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K. The Athlon 64 FX-51 uses the SledgeHammer (2003−2005) architecture (130 nm), while the Core i5-13600K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 FX-51 scores 615 against the Core i5-13600K's 37,655 — a 193.6% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 FX-51 vs 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K.

FeatureAthlon 64 FX-51Core i5-13600K
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
14 / 20+1300%
Boost Clock
2.2 GHz
5.1 GHz+132%
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
24 MB
L2 Cache
1 MB
2 MB (per core)+100%
Process
130 nm
Intel 7 nm-95%
Architecture
SledgeHammer (2003−2005)
Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
PassMark
615
37,655+6023%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 FX-51 uses the 940 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-13600K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR-400 on the Athlon 64 FX-51 versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K — the Core i5-13600K supports -205.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB 191.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 FX-51) vs 20 (Core i5-13600K) — the Core i5-13600K offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 940 (Athlon 64 FX-51) and Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K).

FeatureAthlon 64 FX-51Core i5-13600K
Socket
940
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 5.0+355%
Max RAM Speed
DDR-400
DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity
4 GB
192 GB+4700%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon 64 FX-51) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Athlon 64 FX-51 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop.

FeatureAthlon 64 FX-51Core i5-13600K
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Athlon 64 FX-51 launched at $733 MSRP, while the Core i5-13600K debuted at $329. At current prices ($733 vs $319), the Core i5-13600K is $414 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 FX-51 delivers 0.8 pts/$ vs 118.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-13600K — making the Core i5-13600K the 197.2% better value option.

FeatureAthlon 64 FX-51Core i5-13600K
MSRP
$733
$329-55%
Avg Price (30d)
$733
$319-56%
Performance per Dollar
0.8
118.0+14650%
Release Date
2003
2022