Core i3-13100T vs Core i5-11500T

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.

Core i3-13100T vs Core i5-11500T FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-13100T vs Core i5-11500T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-13100T

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $58 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Delivers 44.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 95.5 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-11500T

2021

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Core i3-13100T needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,730 vs 12,798).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.3 vs 95.5 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i3-13100T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-13100T better than Core i5-11500T?

Yes. Core i3-13100T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-13100T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-13100T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-13100T is the better buy right now. Core i3-13100T comes in $58 cheaper on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 44.0% better value on MSRP (95.5 vs 66.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11500T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-13100T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-13100T vs Core i5-11500T Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-13100T

The Core i3-13100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,798 points. Launch price was $134.

Core i5-11500T

The Core i5-11500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,730 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-13100T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-11500T offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-11500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-13100T versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-11500T — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-13100T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-13100T uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-11500T uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-13100T scores 12,798 against the Core i5-11500T's 12,730 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-13100T. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i5-11500T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+8%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+67%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	12,798	12,730
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,818
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,306

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-13100T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-11500T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i5-11500T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-13100T) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500T). The Core i5-11500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Core i3-13100T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500T targets Quiet Desktop / SFF. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500T rivals Core i5-10500T.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i5-11500T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 750
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Quiet Desktop / SFF

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-13100T was priced at $134, while the Core i5-11500T came in at $192. On launch pricing ($134 vs $192), Core i3-13100T was $58 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-13100T delivers 95.5 pts/$ vs 66.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-11500T — making the Core i3-13100T the 36.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i5-11500T
MSRP	$134-30%	$192
Performance per Dollar	95.5+44%	66.3
Release Date	2023	2021

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