Core i5-13600K vs EPYC 9755

CPU

GPU

Core i5-13600K

14 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2022

Popular choices:

•••••••••

EPYC 9755

128 Cores256 Thrd500 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2024

Popular choices:

••••••i5-13600K•••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-13600K

14 / 20

37,655

0.0%

166,328

+341.7%

Ryzen 7 9700X

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX

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 i5-13600K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.9% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $12,655 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $12,984 MSRP).
✅Delivers 793.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 12.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $12,984 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 500W, a 375W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 9755 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (37,655 vs 166,328).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 512 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9755, which brings 128 cores / 256 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 9755

2024

Why buy it

✅+341.7% higher PassMark.
✅+2033.3% larger total L3 cache (512 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 128 cores / 256 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.8 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($12,984 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌300% higher power demand at 500W vs 125W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-13600K

2022

EPYC 9755

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.9% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $12,655 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $12,984 MSRP).
✅Delivers 793.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 12.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $12,984 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 500W, a 375W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 9755 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+341.7% higher PassMark.
✅+2033.3% larger total L3 cache (512 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 128 cores / 256 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (37,655 vs 166,328).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 512 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9755, which brings 128 cores / 256 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.8 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($12,984 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌300% higher power demand at 500W vs 125W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9755 better than Core i5-13600K?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 9755 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-13600K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9755 is the better fit. You are getting 341.7% better PassMark, backed by 128 cores and 256 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 2033.3% larger total L3 cache (512 MB vs 24 MB).

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

EPYC 9755 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13600K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. EPYC 9755 is 3846.5% more expensive on MSRP at $12,984 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it gives you 341.7% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Core i5-13600K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.9% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13600K is also 793.4% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 12.8 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

EPYC 9755 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022), 2033.3% larger total L3 cache (512 MB vs 24 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 128 cores / 256 threads instead of 14/20. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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

EPYC 9755 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	EPYC 9755
1080p
low	281 FPS	170 FPS
medium	264 FPS	141 FPS
high	220 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	95 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	148 FPS
medium	198 FPS	119 FPS
high	158 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	69 FPS
medium	133 FPS	59 FPS
high	102 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	38 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open EPYC 9755

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	EPYC 9755
1080p
low	632 FPS	581 FPS
medium	533 FPS	510 FPS
high	450 FPS	414 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	361 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	489 FPS
medium	474 FPS	437 FPS
high	403 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	302 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	304 FPS
medium	282 FPS	275 FPS
high	269 FPS	247 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	221 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open EPYC 9755

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	EPYC 9755
1080p
low	663 FPS	741 FPS
medium	543 FPS	632 FPS
high	477 FPS	574 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	505 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	558 FPS
medium	499 FPS	473 FPS
high	434 FPS	423 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	366 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	403 FPS
medium	381 FPS	324 FPS
high	344 FPS	286 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	229 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open EPYC 9755

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	EPYC 9755
1080p
low	941 FPS	915 FPS
medium	941 FPS	830 FPS
high	923 FPS	715 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	632 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	726 FPS
medium	850 FPS	633 FPS
high	738 FPS	542 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	469 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	524 FPS
medium	588 FPS	468 FPS
high	529 FPS	411 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	352 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open EPYC 9755

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and EPYC 9755

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.

EPYC 9755

The EPYC 9755 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 128 cores and 256 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 512 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 500 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 166,328 points. Launch price was $12,984.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the EPYC 9755 offers 128 cores / 256 threads — the EPYC 9755 has 114 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 4.1 GHz on the EPYC 9755 — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 9755 uses Turin (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the EPYC 9755's 166,328 — a 126.2% lead for the EPYC 9755. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 512 MB (total) on the EPYC 9755.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	EPYC 9755
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	128 / 256+814%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+24%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+30%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB	512 MB (total)+2033%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Turin (2024)
PassMark	37,655	166,328+342%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,800
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	29,300

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 9755 uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 9 TB — 182.1% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13600K) vs 12 (EPYC 9755). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 128 (EPYC 9755) — the EPYC 9755 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and SP5 (EPYC 9755).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	EPYC 9755
Socket	LGA1700	SP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-6000
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	9 TB+4700%
RAM Channels	2	12+500%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) vs AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9755). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 9755 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop, EPYC 9755 targets Data Center / Cloud Computing. Direct competitor: EPYC 9755 rivals Xeon 6980P.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	EPYC 9755
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use	Desktop	Data Center / Cloud Computing

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the EPYC 9755 debuted at $12984. On MSRP ($329 vs $12984), the Core i5-13600K is $12655 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 12.8 pts/$ for the EPYC 9755 — making the Core i5-13600K the 159.7% better value option.