Core i5-13500 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

CPU

GPU

Core i5-13500

14 Cores20 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023

Core family

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Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

24 Cores48 Thrd250 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2018

Threadripper family

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Core i5-13500 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX Performance Spectrum

Core i5-13500

14 / 20

31,109

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

24 / 48

30,954

0.0%

Ryzen 5 6600U

Ryzen 7 5800H

Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Ryzen 9 7900

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX

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 Threadripper 2970WX 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 Threadripper 2970WX: 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 $1,057 less on MSRP ($242 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 439.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 128.5 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($242 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 250W, a 185W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (20,924 vs 29,045).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅220% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 128.5 PassMark/$ ($1,299 MSRP vs $242 MSRP).
❌284.6% higher power demand at 250W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 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.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13500.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX better than Core i5-13500?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-13500 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.4% 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, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the stronger fit. You are getting 38.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX comes in 436.8% more expensive on MSRP at $1,299 MSRP versus $242 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13500 is also 439.5% better value on MSRP (128.5 vs 23.8 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of TR4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13500 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX 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 Threadripper 2970WX

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,954 points. Launch price was $1,299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13500 packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13500 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13500 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-13500 uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500 scores 31,109 against the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX's 30,954 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-13500. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 20,924 vs 29,045 (32.5% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,419 vs 1,240, a 64.4% lead for the Core i5-13500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,160 vs 7,241 (50.7% advantage for the Core i5-13500). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	24 / 48+71%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+14%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	64 MB+167%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+40860%
Process	Intel 7 nm-42%	12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	31,109	30,954
Cinebench R23 Multi	20,924	29,045+39%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,419+95%	1,240
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,160+68%	7,241

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-13500 versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — the Core i5-13500 supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 966.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13500) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13500) vs 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i5-13500) and X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX).

Feature	Core i5-13500	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Socket	LGA1700	TR4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+64%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	2048 GB+967%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	64+220%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX 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 Threadripper 2970WX). The Core i5-13500 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13500 targets High-end Productivity / Gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX targets Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-13500 rivals Ryzen 7 7700; Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX rivals Core i9-7940X.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
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	Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13500 was priced at $242, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX came in at $1299. On launch pricing ($242 vs $1299), Core i5-13500 was $1057 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13500 delivers 128.5 pts/$ vs 23.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — making the Core i5-13500 the 137.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
MSRP	$242-81%	$1299
Performance per Dollar	128.5+440%	23.8
Release Date	2023	2018

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