Core i5-13500E vs Ryzen Z2 Extreme

Intel

Core i5-13500E

14 Cores20 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
VS
AMD

Ryzen Z2 Extreme

8 Cores16 Thrd8 WWMax: 5 GHz2025

Core i5-13500E vs Ryzen Z2 Extreme 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 i5-13500E vs Ryzen Z2 Extreme 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 i5-13500E vs Ryzen Z2 Extreme: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13500E

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen Z2 Extreme needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Z2 Extreme across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (24,096 vs 24,177).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $235 MSRP, while Ryzen Z2 Extreme mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌712.5% higher power demand at 65W vs 8W.

Ryzen Z2 Extreme

2025

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Draws 8W instead of 65W, a 57W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13500E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Z2 Extreme better than Core i5-13500E?
Yes. Ryzen Z2 Extreme is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better 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, Ryzen Z2 Extreme is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.4% 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 Z2 Extreme is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen Z2 Extreme is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13500E is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen Z2 Extreme comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $235 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13500E is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (102.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen Z2 Extreme makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 14/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13500E vs Ryzen Z2 Extreme Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-13500E

The Core i5-13500E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023βˆ’2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 24,096 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

Ryzen Z2 Extreme

The Ryzen Z2 Extreme is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Point (Zen 5) (2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MBΒ +Β 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,177 points. Launch price was $299.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-13500E packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen Z2 Extreme offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Core i5-13500E has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13500E versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen Z2 Extreme β€” a 8.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z2 Extreme (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-13500E uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023βˆ’2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen Z2 Extreme uses Strix Point (Zen 5) (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500E scores 24,096 against the Ryzen Z2 Extreme's 24,177 β€” a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen Z2 Extreme. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500E vs 16 MB on the Ryzen Z2 Extreme.

FeatureCore i5-13500ERyzen Z2 Extreme
Cores / Threads
14 / 20+75%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
5 GHz+9%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+20%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)+50%
16 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
8 MB+540%
Process
10 nm
4 nm-60%
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023βˆ’2024)
Strix Point (Zen 5) (2025)
PassMark
24,096
24,177
Cinebench R23 Multi
21,216
β€”
Geekbench 6 Single
1,862
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
14,166
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Z2 Extreme uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-13500ERyzen Z2 Extreme
Socket
LGA1700
FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
Yes
β€”
PCIe Lanes
20
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13500E) / not specified (Ryzen Z2 Extreme). The Core i5-13500E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen Z2 Extreme requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i5-13500ERyzen Z2 Extreme
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 770
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
Yes
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
β€”