Core i5-13600H vs Core i7-13700K

Intel

Core i5-13600H

12 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023

Popular choices:

i7-13700K
VS
Intel

Core i7-13700K

16 Cores24 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-13600H

2023

Why buy it

  • Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.
  • 40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (14,857 vs 31,000).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 30 MB).

Core i7-13700K

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Core i5-13600H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Core i5-13600H?
Yes. Core i7-13700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 108.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 96.6% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-13700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 5.3% 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 i7-13700K is the better fit. You are getting 108.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-13700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-13700K is at an unclear MSRP at $409 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-13600H is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i5-13600HCore i7-13700K
1080p
low291 FPS284 FPS
medium259 FPS268 FPS
high218 FPS223 FPS
ultra188 FPS190 FPS
1440p
low239 FPS238 FPS
medium191 FPS200 FPS
high157 FPS159 FPS
ultra138 FPS139 FPS
4K
low166 FPS159 FPS
medium135 FPS134 FPS
high104 FPS103 FPS
ultra91 FPS90 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-13600HCore i7-13700K
1080p
low582 FPS689 FPS
medium544 FPS580 FPS
high446 FPS484 FPS
ultra402 FPS439 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS595 FPS
medium469 FPS525 FPS
high393 FPS441 FPS
ultra337 FPS378 FPS
4K
low345 FPS348 FPS
medium291 FPS314 FPS
high267 FPS295 FPS
ultra235 FPS261 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-13600HCore i7-13700K
1080p
low582 FPS648 FPS
medium582 FPS530 FPS
high582 FPS467 FPS
ultra582 FPS405 FPS
1440p
low582 FPS591 FPS
medium582 FPS491 FPS
high582 FPS427 FPS
ultra507 FPS371 FPS
4K
low582 FPS434 FPS
medium499 FPS374 FPS
high445 FPS339 FPS
ultra376 FPS290 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-13600HCore i7-13700K
1080p
low582 FPS970 FPS
medium582 FPS883 FPS
high582 FPS766 FPS
ultra582 FPS689 FPS
1440p
low582 FPS829 FPS
medium582 FPS740 FPS
high582 FPS642 FPS
ultra582 FPS566 FPS
4K
low582 FPS567 FPS
medium558 FPS515 FPS
high502 FPS463 FPS
ultra433 FPS404 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600H and Core i7-13700K

Intel

Core i5-13600H

The Core i5-13600H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 23,291 points. Launch price was $311.

Intel

Core i7-13700K

The Core i7-13700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 45,784 points. Launch price was $409.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-13700K offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13600H versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-13600H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-13700K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600H scores 23,291 against the Core i7-13700K's 45,784 — a 65.1% lead for the Core i7-13700K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 14,857 vs 31,000 (70.4% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,423 vs 2,846, a 16.1% lead for the Core i7-13700K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,684 vs 18,980 (64.9% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-13600H vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K.

FeatureCore i5-13600HCore i7-13700K
Cores / Threads
12 / 16
16 / 24+33%
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz
5.4 GHz+13%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.4 GHz+21%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)
30 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
2 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)
Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
PassMark
23,291
45,784+97%
Cinebench R23 Multi
14,857
31,000+109%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,423
2,846+17%
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,684
18,980+96%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-13700K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i7-13700K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i5-13600H) vs 20 (Core i7-13700K) — the Core i5-13600H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-13600HCore i7-13700K
Socket
FCBGA1744
LGA1700
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200
DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity
96 GB
192 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
28+40%
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13600H) vs true (Core i7-13700K). Both include integrated graphics Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-13600H) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-13700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600H targets High performance laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13600H rivals Ryzen 7 7840HS; Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

FeatureCore i5-13600HCore i7-13700K
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
true
Target Use
High performance laptop