Core i5-13500T vs Core i9-11900

Intel

Core i5-13500T

14 Cores20 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i9-11900

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2021
Core family
·······

Core i5-13500T vs Core i9-11900 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 i5-13500T vs Core i9-11900 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 i5-13500T vs Core i9-11900: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13500T

2023

Why buy it

  • +0.9% higher PassMark.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Costs $97 less on MSRP ($342 MSRP vs $439 MSRP).
  • Delivers 29.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.1 vs 51.1 PassMark/$ ($342 MSRP vs $439 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i9-11900

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +17.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (22,422 vs 22,622).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 51.1 vs 66.1 PassMark/$ ($439 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-13500T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13500T better than Core i9-11900?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-11900 is ahead with a 17.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13500T pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-13500T also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-13500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-13500T comes in $97 cheaper on MSRP at $342 MSRP versus $439 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-11900 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 17.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 29.5% better value on MSRP (66.1 vs 51.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i9-11900 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-13500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13500T vs Core i9-11900 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-13500T

The Core i5-13500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,622 points. Launch price was $232.

Intel

Core i9-11900

The Core i9-11900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 22,422 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13500T packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-11900 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13500T has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13500T versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-11900 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-13500T uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-11900 uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500T scores 22,622 against the Core i9-11900's 22,422 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-13500T. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500T vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900.

FeatureCore i5-13500TCore i9-11900
Cores / Threads
14 / 20+75%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
5.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
2.5 GHz+56%
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)+50%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+20380%
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark
22,622
22,422
Cinebench R23 Multi
11,028
Geekbench 6 Single
2,278
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,900
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-11900 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-13500TCore i9-11900
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13500T) / not specified (Core i9-11900). The Core i5-13500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i9-11900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13500T targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-13500T rivals Ryzen 7 5700X.

FeatureCore i5-13500TCore i9-11900
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Productivity
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13500T was priced at $342, while the Core i9-11900 came in at $439. On launch pricing ($342 vs $439), Core i5-13500T was $97 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13500T delivers 66.1 pts/$ vs 51.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900 — making the Core i5-13500T the 25.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-13500TCore i9-11900
MSRP
$342-22%
$439
Performance per Dollar
66.1+29%
51.1
Release Date
2023
2021

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