Core i5-13500 vs Ryzen 9 3900

CPU

GPU

Core i5-13500

14 Cores20 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023

Core family

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Ryzen 9 3900

12 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core i5-13500 vs Ryzen 9 3900 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-13500

14 / 20

31,109

+1.7%

30,588

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

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 i5-13500 vs Ryzen 9 3900 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 Ryzen 9 3900: 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

✅+41.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $257 less on MSRP ($242 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 109.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 128.5 vs 61.3 PassMark/$ ($242 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 9 3900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,713 vs 2,419).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,700 vs 20,924).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.3 vs 128.5 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $242 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13500 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13500 better than Ryzen 9 3900?

Yes. Core i5-13500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 18.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 1.7% 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 i5-13500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.1% 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 i5-13500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 18.2% 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 i5-13500 is the better buy right now. Core i5-13500 comes in $257 cheaper on MSRP at $242 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 109.7% better value on MSRP (128.5 vs 61.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 9 3900 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 12/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13500 vs Ryzen 9 3900 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.

Ryzen 9 3900

The Ryzen 9 3900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,588 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13500 packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i5-13500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13500 versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900 — a 11% clock advantage for the Core i5-13500 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-13500 uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500 scores 31,109 against the Ryzen 9 3900's 30,588 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-13500. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 20,924 vs 17,700 (16.7% advantage for the Core i5-13500). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,419 vs 1,713, a 34.2% lead for the Core i5-13500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,160 vs 10,983 (10.2% advantage for the Core i5-13500). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3900.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Ryzen 9 3900
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+17%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+12%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	64 MB+167%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	31,109+2%	30,588
Cinebench R23 Multi	20,924+18%	17,700
Geekbench 6 Single	2,419+41%	1,713
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,160+11%	10,983

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-13500 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3900 — the Core i5-13500 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. 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. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13500) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 3900) — the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i5-13500) and X570,B550,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 3900).

Feature	Core i5-13500	Ryzen 9 3900
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+50%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 3900 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13500) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3900). The Core i5-13500 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 9 3900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13500 targets High-end Productivity / Gaming, Ryzen 9 3900 targets Workstation Desktop (low power). Direct competitor: Core i5-13500 rivals Ryzen 7 7700; Ryzen 9 3900 rivals Core i9-9900.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Ryzen 9 3900
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	High-end Productivity / Gaming	Workstation Desktop (low power)

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13500 was priced at $242, while the Ryzen 9 3900 came in at $499. On launch pricing ($242 vs $499), Core i5-13500 was $257 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13500 delivers 128.5 pts/$ vs 61.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 3900 — making the Core i5-13500 the 70.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Ryzen 9 3900
MSRP	$242-52%	$499
Performance per Dollar	128.5+110%	61.3
Release Date	2023	2019

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