Core i5-13500 vs Core i7-12850HX

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 i7-12850HX 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 i7-12850HX: 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

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM1), unlike Core i7-12850HX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12850HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $242 MSRP, while Core i7-12850HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Core i7-12850HX

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (30,596 vs 31,109).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13500 better than Core i7-12850HX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-12850HX is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13500 pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i5-13500 is the better buy right now. Core i5-13500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $242 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-12850HX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (128.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 16/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-13500 vs Core i7-12850HX 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 i7-12850HX

The Core i7-12850HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,596 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13500 packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i7-12850HX offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-12850HX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13500 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12850HX — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-13500 uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-12850HX uses Alder Lake-HX (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500 scores 31,109 against the Core i7-12850HX's 30,596 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-13500. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500 vs 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12850HX.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Core i7-12850HX
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	16 / 24+14%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+4%
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)	Alder Lake-HX (2022)
PassMark	31,109+2%	30,596
Cinebench R23 Multi	20,924	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,419	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,160	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-12850HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i5-13500 supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Core i7-12850HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-12850HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-12850HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12850HX). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13500) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12850HX) — 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 i7-12850HX targets Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-13500 rivals Ryzen 7 7700.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Core i7-12850HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	High-end Productivity / Gaming	Mobile Workstation