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 i5-13600K

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $225 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅Delivers 207.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 37.2 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.

Core i9-13900TE

2023

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,602 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.2 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($554 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Core i5-13600K

2022

Core i9-13900TE

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $225 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅Delivers 207.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 37.2 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,602 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.2 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($554 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Core i9-13900TE?

Yes. Core i5-13600K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 82.8% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13600K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 1.2% 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 i5-13600K is the better fit. You are getting 82.8% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i5-13600K is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13600K is $225 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $554 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 207.8% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 37.2 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13900TE is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and 50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB). 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.

Core i5-13600K Benchmark Check

Core i9-13900TE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13900TE
1080p
low	281 FPS	306 FPS
medium	264 FPS	288 FPS
high	220 FPS	235 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	199 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	268 FPS
medium	198 FPS	229 FPS
high	158 FPS	174 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	154 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	184 FPS
medium	133 FPS	157 FPS
high	102 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	106 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-13900TE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13900TE
1080p
low	632 FPS	415 FPS
medium	533 FPS	363 FPS
high	450 FPS	296 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	259 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	352 FPS
medium	474 FPS	316 FPS
high	403 FPS	263 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	212 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	198 FPS
medium	282 FPS	180 FPS
high	269 FPS	171 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	146 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-13900TE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13900TE
1080p
low	663 FPS	515 FPS
medium	543 FPS	515 FPS
high	477 FPS	515 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	483 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	515 FPS
medium	499 FPS	515 FPS
high	434 FPS	498 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	427 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	510 FPS
medium	381 FPS	429 FPS
high	344 FPS	380 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	321 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-13900TE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13900TE
1080p
low	941 FPS	515 FPS
medium	941 FPS	515 FPS
high	923 FPS	515 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	515 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	515 FPS
medium	850 FPS	515 FPS
high	738 FPS	515 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	515 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	515 FPS
medium	588 FPS	515 FPS
high	529 FPS	498 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-13900TE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Core i9-13900TE

Core i5-13600K

The Core i5-13600K 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. 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: 37,655 points. Launch price was $319.

Core i9-13900TE

The Core i9-13900TE 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 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 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: 20,602 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-13900TE offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900TE has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-13900TE — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-13900TE uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Core i9-13900TE's 20,602 — a 58.5% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900TE.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13900TE
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	24 / 32+71%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+2%	5 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+250%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB	36 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	37,655+83%	20,602

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and LGA1700 (Core i9-13900TE).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13900TE
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-13600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-13900TE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900TE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13900TE
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Core i9-13900TE debuted at $554. On MSRP ($329 vs $554), the Core i5-13600K is $225 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 37.2 pts/$ for the Core i9-13900TE — making the Core i5-13600K the 101.9% better value option.