Core i5-13500HX vs Core i5-13600HX

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 i5-13500HX vs Core i5-13600HX 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 i5-13500HX vs Core i5-13600HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13500HX

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

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

Core i5-13600HX

2023

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (27,646 vs 27,827).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13500HX better than Core i5-13600HX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-13600HX is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13500HX pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13500HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i5-13500HX still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-13500HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-13500HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 14/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-13500HX vs Core i5-13600HX Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-13500HX

The Core i5-13500HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 27,827 points. Launch price was $326.

Core i5-13600HX

The Core i5-13600HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 27,646 points. Launch price was $284.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-13500HX and Core i5-13600HX share an identical 14-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i5-13500HX versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13600HX — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600HX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). Both are built on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-13500HX scores 27,827 against the Core i5-13600HX's 27,646 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-13500HX. Both processors carry 24 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-13500HX	Core i5-13600HX
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	14 / 20
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.8 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
PassMark	27,827	27,646