Core i5-13500H vs Core i9-10910

Intel

Core i5-13500H

12 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i9-10910

10 Cores20 Thrd2.5 WWMax: 5 GHz2020
Core family
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Core i5-13500H vs Core i9-10910 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 i5-13500H vs Core i9-10910 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 i5-13500H vs Core i9-10910: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13500H

2023

Why buy it

  • Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
  • 75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10910 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (21,080 vs 21,396).
  • 1700% higher power demand at 45W vs 2.5W.

Core i9-10910

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 3W instead of 45W, a 43W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $488 MSRP, while Core i5-13500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-13500H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10910 better than Core i5-13500H?
Yes. Core i9-10910 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10910 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.8% 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 i9-10910 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-10910 is the better buy right now. Core i9-10910 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $488 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (43.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13500H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13500H vs Core i9-10910 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-13500H

The Core i5-13500H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 21,080 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core i9-10910

The Core i9-10910 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 21,396 points. Launch price was $488.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13500H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-10910 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13500H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i5-13500H versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-10910 — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-10910 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-13500H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-10910 uses Comet Lake-S (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500H scores 21,080 against the Core i9-10910's 21,396 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i9-10910. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500H vs 20 MB on the Core i9-10910.

FeatureCore i5-13500HCore i9-10910
Cores / Threads
12 / 16+20%
10 / 20
Boost Clock
4.7 GHz
5 GHz+6%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
3.6 GHz+38%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)
20 MB+11%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
2.5 MB+25%
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)
Comet Lake-S (2020)
PassMark
21,080
21,396+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi
15,116
Geekbench 6 Single
2,400
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,500
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-10910 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13500H versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10910 — the Core i5-13500H supports 77.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-10910 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i5-13500H) vs 16 (Core i9-10910) — the Core i5-13500H offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-13500HCore i9-10910
Socket
FCBGA1744
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200+77%
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
96 GB
128 GB+33%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
28+75%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13500H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10910). Both include integrated graphics Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-13500H) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i9-10910) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13500H targets High performance laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13500H rivals Ryzen 7 7735HS.

FeatureCore i5-13500HCore i9-10910
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
High performance laptop