Core i5-13600H vs Ryzen 9 5980HX

Intel

Core i5-13600H

12 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 5980HX

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2021
Ryzen family
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Core i5-13600H vs Ryzen 9 5980HX 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 i5-13600H vs Ryzen 9 5980HX 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 i5-13600H vs Ryzen 9 5980HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13600H

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +11.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of FP6 and DDR4.
  • 75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (23,291 vs 23,300).

Ryzen 9 5980HX

2021

Why buy it

  • +0% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Older platform position on FP6 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5980HX better than Core i5-13600H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-13600H is ahead with a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 5980HX pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 5980HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 5980HX still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 9 5980HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-13600H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of FP6. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13600H vs Ryzen 9 5980HX Technical Specifications

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

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.

AMD

Ryzen 9 5980HX

The Ryzen 9 5980HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne-HX (Zen 3) (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 23,300 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5980HX offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13600H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13600H versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5980HX — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-13600H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5980HX uses Cezanne-HX (Zen 3) (2021) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600H scores 23,291 against the Ryzen 9 5980HX's 23,300 — a 0% lead for the Ryzen 9 5980HX. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-13600H vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 5980HX.

FeatureCore i5-13600HRyzen 9 5980HX
Cores / Threads
12 / 16+50%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz
4.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.3 GHz+18%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)+13%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)+300%
512 kB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)
Cezanne-HX (Zen 3) (2021)
PassMark
23,291
23,300
Cinebench R23 Multi
14,857
Geekbench 6 Single
2,423
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,684
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5980HX uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13600H versus LPDDR4-4266 on the Ryzen 9 5980HX — the Core i5-13600H supports 21.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13600H supports up to 96 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i5-13600H) vs 16 (Ryzen 9 5980HX) — the Core i5-13600H offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-13600HRyzen 9 5980HX
Socket
FCBGA1744
FP6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200+22%
LPDDR4-4266
Max RAM Capacity
96 GB+50%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
28+75%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13600H) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5980HX). Both include integrated graphics Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-13600H) and Radeon Graphics (8CU) (Ryzen 9 5980HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600H targets High performance laptop, Ryzen 9 5980HX targets Mobile High-End. Direct competitor: Core i5-13600H rivals Ryzen 7 7840HS.

FeatureCore i5-13600HRyzen 9 5980HX
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
Radeon Graphics (8CU)
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
High performance laptop
Mobile High-End