Core i5-13500HX vs Core i9-9940X

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 i9-9940X 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 i9-9940X: 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

✅+24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (27,827 vs 28,088).

Core i9-9940X

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,387 MSRP, while Core i5-13500HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i5-13500HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9940X better than Core i5-13500HX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-13500HX is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9940X pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-13500HX also has the bigger cache pool with 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9940X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.

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

Core i9-9940X is the better buy right now. Core i9-9940X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,387 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-13500HX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13500HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, and 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13500HX vs Core i9-9940X 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 i9-9940X

The Core i9-9940X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 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: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 28,088 points. Launch price was $1,387.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13500HX packs 14 cores / 20 threads, matching the Core i9-9940X's 14 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i5-13500HX versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9940X — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13500HX (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 i9-9940X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500HX scores 27,827 against the Core i9-9940X's 28,088 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i9-9940X. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500HX vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9940X.

Feature	Core i5-13500HX	Core i9-9940X
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	14 / 28
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+4%	4.5 GHz
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)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	27,827	28,088

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9940X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-13500HX	Core i9-9940X
Socket	FCBGA1964	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	44