Core i5-11500 vs Core i5-13420H

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 i5-11500 vs Core i5-13420H 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 i5-11500 vs Core i5-13420H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11500

2021

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 750, while Core i5-13420H needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-13420H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13420H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,096 vs 17,205).
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i5-13420H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-13420H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Core i5-13420H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13420H better than Core i5-11500?

Yes. Core i5-13420H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 i5-13420H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.8% 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 i5-13420H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-13420H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-13420H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11500 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-13420H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-11500 vs Core i5-13420H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11500

The Core i5-11500 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,096 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i5-13420H

The Core i5-13420H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 17,205 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-13420H offers 8 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-13420H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13420H — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-11500 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-13420H uses Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500 scores 17,096 against the Core i5-13420H's 17,205 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-13420H. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i5-13420H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 12+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+29%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)
PassMark	17,096	17,205
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,883	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,064	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,564	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-13420H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core i5-13420H
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
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: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500) / not specified (Core i5-13420H). The Core i5-11500 includes integrated graphics (UHD 750), while the Core i5-13420H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.