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 i5-13600KF

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $249 MSRP, while Core i7-13850HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13850HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-13850HX

2023

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Core i5-13600KF needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600KF across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (36,409 vs 37,434).

Core i5-13600KF

2022

Core i7-13850HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Core i5-13600KF needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $249 MSRP, while Core i7-13850HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13850HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600KF across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (36,409 vs 37,434).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600KF better than Core i7-13850HX?

Yes. Core i5-13600KF is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 5.8% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data and 2.8% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13600KF is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 5.8% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600KF is the better fit. You are getting 2.8% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i5-13600KF is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13600KF is at an unclear MSRP at $249 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (150.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-13850HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and 25% larger total L3 cache (30 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 i5-13600KF Benchmark Check

Core i7-13850HX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600KF	Core i7-13850HX
1080p
low	281 FPS	291 FPS
medium	264 FPS	284 FPS
high	220 FPS	229 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	192 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	233 FPS
medium	198 FPS	203 FPS
high	158 FPS	159 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	139 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	161 FPS
medium	133 FPS	140 FPS
high	102 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	95 FPS

Open Core i5-13600KF Open Core i7-13850HX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600KF	Core i7-13850HX
1080p
low	632 FPS	349 FPS
medium	533 FPS	298 FPS
high	450 FPS	251 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	227 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	304 FPS
medium	474 FPS	270 FPS
high	403 FPS	228 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	195 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	179 FPS
medium	282 FPS	163 FPS
high	269 FPS	155 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	136 FPS

Open Core i5-13600KF Open Core i7-13850HX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600KF	Core i7-13850HX
1080p
low	663 FPS	647 FPS
medium	543 FPS	530 FPS
high	477 FPS	467 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	405 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	590 FPS
medium	499 FPS	491 FPS
high	434 FPS	427 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	370 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	433 FPS
medium	381 FPS	373 FPS
high	344 FPS	338 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	289 FPS

Open Core i5-13600KF Open Core i7-13850HX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600KF	Core i7-13850HX
1080p
low	936 FPS	910 FPS
medium	936 FPS	851 FPS
high	923 FPS	735 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	660 FPS
1440p
low	936 FPS	799 FPS
medium	850 FPS	712 FPS
high	738 FPS	615 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	542 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	548 FPS
medium	588 FPS	497 FPS
high	529 FPS	444 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	388 FPS

Open Core i5-13600KF Open Core i7-13850HX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600KF and Core i7-13850HX

Core i5-13600KF

The Core i5-13600KF 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 (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 W, 181 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 37,434 points. Launch price was $294.

Core i7-13850HX

The Core i7-13850HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 20 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 36,409 points. Launch price was $428.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13600KF packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i7-13850HX offers 20 cores / 28 threads — the Core i7-13850HX has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600KF versus 5.3 GHz on the Core i7-13850HX — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13850HX (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-13600KF uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-13850HX uses Raptor Lake-HX (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600KF scores 37,434 against the Core i7-13850HX's 36,409 — a 2.8% lead for the Core i5-13600KF. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13600KF vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13850HX.

Feature	Core i5-13600KF	Core i7-13850HX
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	20 / 28+43%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz	5.3 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+67%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
PassMark	37,434+3%	36,409
Cinebench R23 Multi	23,960	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600KF uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-13850HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600KF versus 5600 on the Core i7-13850HX — the Core i7-13850HX supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760 (Core i5-13600KF) and Raptor Lake-HX (Core i7-13850HX).

Feature	Core i5-13600KF	Core i7-13850HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	5600+111900%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+104857500%	192
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-13850HX includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Core i5-13600KF requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13850HX rivals Ryzen 7 8845HS.