Core i5-13420H vs Core i9-10980HK

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 i5-13420H vs Core i9-10980HK 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 i5-13420H vs Core i9-10980HK: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13420H

2023

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Core i9-10980HK

2020

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,037 vs 17,205).
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core i5-13420H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13420H better than Core i9-10980HK?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10980HK is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13420H pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i9-10980HK also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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 1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-13420H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-13420H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark.

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 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13420H vs Core i9-10980HK Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i9-10980HK

The Core i9-10980HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,037 points. Launch price was $583.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13420H packs 8 cores / 12 threads, matching the Core i9-10980HK's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13420H versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10980HK — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-10980HK (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-13420H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-10980HK uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13420H scores 17,205 against the Core i9-10980HK's 17,037 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-13420H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-13420H vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980HK.

Feature	Core i5-13420H	Core i9-10980HK
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	Comet Lake-H (2020)
PassMark	17,205	17,037

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13420H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-10980HK uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.