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 $4,162 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Delivers 716.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 280W, a 155W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen Threadripper 3970X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (37,655 vs 62,946).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅220% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($4,491 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌124% higher power demand at 280W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $4,162 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Delivers 716.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 280W, a 155W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen Threadripper 3970X needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅220% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (37,655 vs 62,946).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($4,491 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌124% higher power demand at 280W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 3970X better than Core i5-13600K?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 20.5% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests. It also has a big cache advantage at 128 MB vs 24 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the better fit. You are getting 67.2% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13600K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is 1265.0% more expensive on MSRP at $4,491 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it gives you a 20.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13600K is also 716.6% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core i5-13600K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of TR4. 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

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
1080p
low	281 FPS	270 FPS
medium	264 FPS	222 FPS
high	220 FPS	183 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	131 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	211 FPS
medium	198 FPS	164 FPS
high	158 FPS	130 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	96 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	98 FPS
medium	133 FPS	81 FPS
high	102 FPS	63 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	51 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
1080p
low	632 FPS	806 FPS
medium	533 FPS	681 FPS
high	450 FPS	528 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	457 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	652 FPS
medium	474 FPS	565 FPS
high	403 FPS	458 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	373 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	381 FPS
medium	282 FPS	333 FPS
high	269 FPS	296 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	261 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
1080p
low	663 FPS	1025 FPS
medium	543 FPS	927 FPS
high	477 FPS	862 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	765 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	776 FPS
medium	499 FPS	644 FPS
high	434 FPS	580 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	506 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	539 FPS
medium	381 FPS	428 FPS
high	344 FPS	381 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	306 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
1080p
low	941 FPS	1325 FPS
medium	941 FPS	1015 FPS
high	923 FPS	1073 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	875 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	1031 FPS
medium	850 FPS	900 FPS
high	738 FPS	778 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	744 FPS
medium	588 FPS	662 FPS
high	529 FPS	579 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 November 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 62,946 points. Launch price was $1,999.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X's 62,946 — a 50.3% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 128 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	32 / 64+129%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+13%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.7 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	24 MB	128 MB+433%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	37,655	62,946+67%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	44,510
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,664
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	13,739

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X — the Core i5-13600K supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13600K) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) — the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and TRX40 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Socket	LGA1700	TR4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	256 GB+33%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	64+220%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 3970X rivals Core i9-10980XE.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	None
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X debuted at $4491. On MSRP ($329 vs $4491), the Core i5-13600K is $4162 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 14.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X — making the Core i5-13600K the 156.4% better value option.