Core i5-13500T vs Xeon W-1290P

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 Xeon W-1290P 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 Xeon W-1290P: 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

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1290P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $342 MSRP, while Xeon W-1290P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon W-1290P

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,373 vs 22,622).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i5-13500T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13500T better than Xeon W-1290P?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1290P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-13500T is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 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 at an unclear MSRP at $342 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W-1290P is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (66.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 10/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13500T vs Xeon W-1290P 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.

Xeon W-1290P

The Xeon W-1290P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,373 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13500T packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon W-1290P offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13500T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13500T versus 5.2 GHz on the Xeon W-1290P — a 12.2% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290P (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-13500T uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon W-1290P uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500T scores 22,622 against the Xeon W-1290P's 22,373 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-13500T. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500T vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290P.

Feature	Core i5-13500T	Xeon W-1290P
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+40%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5.2 GHz+13%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+131%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+20%	20 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)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	22,622+1%	22,373
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,028	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,278	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,900	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon W-1290P uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-13500T	Xeon W-1290P
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13500T) / not specified (Xeon W-1290P). The Core i5-13500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon W-1290P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13500T targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-13500T rivals Ryzen 7 5700X.