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 $1,011 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,340 MSRP).
✅Delivers 169.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 42.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,340 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 350W, a 225W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (37,655 vs 56,854).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.4 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($1,340 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌180% higher power demand at 350W vs 125W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,011 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,340 MSRP).
✅Delivers 169.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 42.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,340 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 350W, a 225W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 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 Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (37,655 vs 56,854).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.4 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($1,340 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌180% higher power demand at 350W vs 125W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX better than Core i5-13600K?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX 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 PRO 9945WX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is the better fit. You are getting 51% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13600K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is 307.3% more expensive on MSRP at $1,340 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13600K is also 169.8% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 42.4 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB), more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 14/20, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. 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 PRO 9945WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
1080p
low	281 FPS	278 FPS
medium	264 FPS	253 FPS
high	220 FPS	216 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	188 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	262 FPS
medium	198 FPS	214 FPS
high	158 FPS	169 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	152 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	180 FPS
medium	133 FPS	147 FPS
high	102 FPS	111 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	98 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
1080p
low	632 FPS	791 FPS
medium	533 FPS	650 FPS
high	450 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	409 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	651 FPS
medium	474 FPS	555 FPS
high	403 FPS	428 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	333 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	366 FPS
medium	282 FPS	315 FPS
high	269 FPS	277 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	233 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
1080p
low	663 FPS	886 FPS
medium	543 FPS	704 FPS
high	477 FPS	622 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	534 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	712 FPS
medium	499 FPS	566 FPS
high	434 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	414 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	507 FPS
medium	381 FPS	418 FPS
high	344 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	315 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
1080p
low	941 FPS	1106 FPS
medium	941 FPS	991 FPS
high	923 FPS	867 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	781 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	860 FPS
medium	850 FPS	759 FPS
high	738 FPS	664 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	576 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	632 FPS
medium	588 FPS	562 FPS
high	529 FPS	496 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	429 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

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 PRO 9945WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 56,854 points. Launch price was $2,000.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i5-13600K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX (base: 3.5 GHz vs 4.7 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX's 56,854 — a 40.6% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+17%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz	5.4 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	4.7 GHz+34%
L3 Cache	24 MB	64 MB (total)+167%
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)	Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark	37,655	56,854+51%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus 6400 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 192 GB — 165.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13600K) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
Socket	LGA1700	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	6400+127900%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+9830300%	2048
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX rivals Xeon w7-3545.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	None
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX debuted at $1340. On MSRP ($329 vs $1340), the Core i5-13600K is $1011 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 42.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX — making the Core i5-13600K the 91.8% better value option.