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 i9-7900X 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 i9-7900X: 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

✅Better for gaming: +7.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 140W, a 95W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core i9-7900X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i9-7900X

2017

Why buy it

✅57.1% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13500H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (8,536 vs 11,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Core i5-13500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌211.1% higher power demand at 140W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13500H better than Core i9-7900X?

Yes. Core i5-13500H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 34.7% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.8% 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 i5-13500H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.6% 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 i5-13500H is the stronger fit. You are getting 34.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB).

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

Core i5-13500H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-13500H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-7900X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

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 2017), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, 28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13500H vs Core i9-7900X Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i9-7900X

The Core i9-7900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 14 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,907 points. Launch price was $999.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13500H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-7900X 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 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-7900X — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13500H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-13500H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-7900X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500H scores 21,080 against the Core i9-7900X's 20,907 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-13500H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,400 vs 1,323, a 57.9% lead for the Core i5-13500H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,500 vs 8,536 (29.6% advantage for the Core i5-13500H). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500H vs 14 MB (total) on the Core i9-7900X.

Feature	Core i5-13500H	Core i9-7900X
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+4%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.3 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+29%	14 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	21,080	20,907
Cinebench R23 Multi	15,116	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,400+81%	1,323
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,500+35%	8,536

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-7900X uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13500H versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-7900X — the Core i5-13500H supports 95% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-7900X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13500H) vs 4 (Core i9-7900X). PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i5-13500H) vs 44 (Core i9-7900X) — the Core i9-7900X offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-13500H	Core i9-7900X
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200+95%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	96 GB	128 GB+33%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	28	44+57%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13500H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7900X). The Core i5-13500H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core i9-7900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13500H targets High performance laptop, Core i9-7900X targets High-End Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13500H rivals Ryzen 7 7735HS.

Feature	Core i5-13500H	Core i9-7900X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics 80EU	None
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	High performance laptop	High-End Desktop