Core i5-13500 vs Core i5-13600

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 i5-13500 vs Core i5-13600 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 i5-13500 vs Core i5-13600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13500

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $13 less on MSRP ($242 MSRP vs $255 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (20,924 vs 21,000).

Core i5-13600

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌
5.4% HIGHER MSRP
$255 MSRPvs$242 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600 better than Core i5-13500?

Yes. Core i5-13600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 1.3% higher 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 i5-13600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.5% 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 i5-13600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i5-13600 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-13600 comes in 5.4% more expensive on MSRP at $255 MSRP versus $242 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13500 is also 4.1% better value on MSRP (128.5 vs 123.5 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 14/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-13500 vs Core i5-13600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-13500

The Core i5-13500 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,109 points. Launch price was $242.

Core i5-13600

The Core i5-13600 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 31,499 points. Launch price was $255.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-13500 and Core i5-13600 share an identical 14-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13500 versus 5 GHz on the Core i5-13600 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). Both are built on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-13500 scores 31,109 against the Core i5-13600's 31,499 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-13600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 20,924 vs 21,000 (0.4% advantage for the Core i5-13600). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,419 vs 1,900, a 24% lead for the Core i5-13500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,160 vs 12,000 (1.3% advantage for the Core i5-13500). Both processors carry 24 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Core i5-13600
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	14 / 20
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	31,109	31,499+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	20,924	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	2,419+27%	1,900
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,160+1%	12,000

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i5-13500) and Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i5-13600).

Feature	Core i5-13500	Core i5-13600
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13500) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13500 targets High-end Productivity / Gaming, Core i5-13600 targets High-end Productivity Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13500 rivals Ryzen 7 7700; Core i5-13600 rivals Ryzen 7 7700.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Core i5-13600
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	High-end Productivity / Gaming	High-end Productivity Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13500 was priced at $242, while the Core i5-13600 came in at $255. On launch pricing ($242 vs $255), Core i5-13500 was $13 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13500 delivers 128.5 pts/$ vs 123.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-13600 — making the Core i5-13500 the 4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Core i5-13600
MSRP	$242-5%	$255
Performance per Dollar	128.5+4%	123.5
Release Date	2023	2023

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