
Core i5-13500HX vs Core i9-10940X

Core i5-13500HX

Core i9-10940X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-13500HX
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-10940X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-13500HX | Core i9-10940X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($460) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-HX (2023) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake-X (2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-13500HX | Core i9-10940X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($460) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13500HX and Core i9-10940X

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 i9-10940X
The Core i9-10940X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 27,684 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i5-13500HX packs 14 cores / 20 threads, matching the Core i9-10940X's 14 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i5-13500HX versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10940X — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-10940X (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-13500HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-10940X uses Cascade Lake-X (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500HX scores 27,827 against the Core i9-10940X's 27,684 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-13500HX. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500HX vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-10940X.
| Feature | Core i5-13500HX | Core i9-10940X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 20 | 14 / 28 |
| Boost Clock | 4.7 GHz | 4.8 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.3 GHz+32% |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB (total)+25% | 19.25 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+100% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake-HX (2023) | Cascade Lake-X (2019) |
| PassMark | 27,827 | 27,684 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 19,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,450 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 11,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-13500HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-10940X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-13500HX | Core i9-10940X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1964 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 256 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 4 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 48 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-13500HX) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10940X). Primary use case: Core i9-10940X targets High-End Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-13500HX | Core i9-10940X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | High-End Desktop |
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