Core i5-13500T vs Core i9-12900TE

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 i9-12900TE 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 i9-12900TE: 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

✅Costs $152 less on MSRP ($342 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.1 vs 46.3 PassMark/$ ($342 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core i9-12900TE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900TE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (22,622 vs 22,887).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).

Core i9-12900TE

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 46.3 vs 66.1 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900TE better than Core i5-13500T?

Yes. Core i9-12900TE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900TE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.4% 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 i9-12900TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Core i9-12900TE is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13500T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-12900TE comes in 44.4% more expensive on MSRP at $494 MSRP versus $342 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13500T is also 42.8% better value on MSRP (66.1 vs 46.3 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-13500T vs Core i9-12900TE Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i9-12900TE

The Core i9-12900TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,887 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13500T packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-12900TE offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900TE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13500T versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-12900TE — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900TE (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-13500T uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-12900TE uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500T scores 22,622 against the Core i9-12900TE's 22,887 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i9-12900TE. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500T vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900TE.

Feature	Core i5-13500T	Core i9-12900TE
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	16 / 24+14%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+45%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	22,622	22,887+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,028	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,278	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,900	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Core i5-13500T	Core i9-12900TE
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13500T) / not specified (Core i9-12900TE). The Core i5-13500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i9-12900TE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13500T targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-13500T rivals Ryzen 7 5700X.

Feature	Core i5-13500T	Core i9-12900TE
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Productivity	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13500T was priced at $342, while the Core i9-12900TE came in at $494. On launch pricing ($342 vs $494), Core i5-13500T was $152 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13500T delivers 66.1 pts/$ vs 46.3 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900TE — making the Core i5-13500T the 35.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13500T	Core i9-12900TE
MSRP	$342-31%	$494
Performance per Dollar	66.1+43%	46.3
Release Date	2023	2022

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