Core i5-13450HX vs Core i9-11900KF

Intel

Core i5-13450HX

10 Cores16 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
VS
Intel

Core i9-11900KF

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2021

Core i5-13450HX vs Core i9-11900KF Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i5-13450HX vs Core i9-11900KF 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 i5-13450HX vs Core i9-11900KF: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13450HX

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…+1.2% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
  • βœ…Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i9-11900KF

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +20.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (24,585 vs 24,869).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $513 MSRP, while Core i5-13450HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-13450HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900KF better than Core i5-13450HX?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-11900KF is ahead with a 20.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13450HX pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i5-13450HX also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13450HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-11900KF is the better buy right now. Core i9-11900KF comes in at an unclear MSRP at $513 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-13450HX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (47.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-13450HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13450HX vs Core i9-11900KF Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-13450HX

The Core i5-13450HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): +Β 20 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,869 points. Launch price was $326.

Intel

Core i9-11900KF

The Core i9-11900KF 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 24,585 points. Launch price was $299.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-13450HX packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-11900KF offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Core i5-13450HX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13450HX versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-11900KF β€” a 12.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KF (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-13450HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-11900KF uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13450HX scores 24,869 against the Core i9-11900KF's 24,585 β€” a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-13450HX. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13450HX vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KF.

FeatureCore i5-13450HXCore i9-11900KF
Cores / Threads
10 / 16+25%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
5.2 GHz+13%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
3.5 GHz+46%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)+25%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+12700%
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark
24,869+1%
24,585
Cinebench R23 Multi
β€”
15,500
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13450HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-11900KF uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-13450HXCore i9-11900KF
Socket
FCBGA1964
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
β€”
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
β€”
128 GB
RAM Channels
β€”
2
ECC Support
β€”
No
PCIe Lanes
β€”
20
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-13450HX) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KF).

FeatureCore i5-13450HXCore i9-11900KF
Integrated GPU
β€”
No
Unlocked
β€”
Yes
AVX-512
β€”
Yes
Virtualization
β€”
VT-x, VT-d