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 i5-13600T

2023

Why buy it

✅+55.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $129 less on MSRP ($255 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Delivers 52.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 110.6 vs 72.6 PassMark/$ ($255 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-13700T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,364 vs 2,537).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).

Core i7-13700T

2023

Why buy it

✅+7.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,611 vs 18,100).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 72.6 vs 110.6 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $255 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13600T.

Core i5-13600T

2023

Core i7-13700T

2023

Why buy it

✅+55.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $129 less on MSRP ($255 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Delivers 52.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 110.6 vs 72.6 PassMark/$ ($255 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-13700T.

Why buy it

✅+7.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,364 vs 2,537).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,611 vs 18,100).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 72.6 vs 110.6 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $255 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13600T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600T better than Core i7-13700T?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i7-13700T is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600T pulls ahead with 55.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i7-13700T also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600T is the better fit. You are getting 55.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i5-13600T is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13600T is $129 cheaper on MSRP at $255 MSRP versus $384 MSRP, and it gives you 55.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The trade-off is that Core i7-13700T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 52.3% better value on MSRP (110.6 vs 72.6 PassMark/$), 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 i7-13700T is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more overall headroom and a better platform outlook.

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 i5-13600T Benchmark Check

Core i7-13700T Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600T	Core i7-13700T
1080p
low	262 FPS	264 FPS
medium	253 FPS	254 FPS
high	209 FPS	210 FPS
ultra	178 FPS	181 FPS
1440p
low	226 FPS	225 FPS
medium	194 FPS	193 FPS
high	156 FPS	153 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS
4K
low	157 FPS	154 FPS
medium	134 FPS	131 FPS
high	104 FPS	101 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	90 FPS

Open Core i5-13600T Open Core i7-13700T

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600T	Core i7-13700T
1080p
low	313 FPS	312 FPS
medium	265 FPS	266 FPS
high	224 FPS	223 FPS
ultra	205 FPS	205 FPS
1440p
low	258 FPS	258 FPS
medium	228 FPS	228 FPS
high	198 FPS	197 FPS
ultra	173 FPS	172 FPS
4K
low	158 FPS	160 FPS
medium	141 FPS	143 FPS
high	133 FPS	134 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	119 FPS

Open Core i5-13600T Open Core i7-13700T

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600T	Core i7-13700T
1080p
low	705 FPS	647 FPS
medium	610 FPS	526 FPS
high	540 FPS	465 FPS
ultra	458 FPS	404 FPS
1440p
low	685 FPS	588 FPS
medium	549 FPS	484 FPS
high	480 FPS	423 FPS
ultra	412 FPS	368 FPS
4K
low	493 FPS	431 FPS
medium	412 FPS	370 FPS
high	369 FPS	332 FPS
ultra	311 FPS	283 FPS

Open Core i5-13600T Open Core i7-13700T

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600T	Core i7-13700T
1080p
low	705 FPS	697 FPS
medium	705 FPS	697 FPS
high	658 FPS	697 FPS
ultra	584 FPS	629 FPS
1440p
low	705 FPS	697 FPS
medium	645 FPS	685 FPS
high	555 FPS	592 FPS
ultra	483 FPS	516 FPS
4K
low	513 FPS	543 FPS
medium	464 FPS	492 FPS
high	410 FPS	438 FPS
ultra	357 FPS	382 FPS

Open Core i5-13600T Open Core i7-13700T

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600T and Core i7-13700T

Core i5-13600T

The Core i5-13600T 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 28,202 points. Launch price was $255.

Core i7-13700T

The Core i7-13700T 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 27,890 points. Launch price was $384.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600T packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i7-13700T offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13600T versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-13700T — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700T (base: 1.8 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). Both are built on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-13600T scores 28,202 against the Core i7-13700T's 27,890 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-13600T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18,100 vs 11,611 (43.7% advantage for the Core i5-13600T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,364 vs 2,537, a 7.1% lead for the Core i7-13700T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,911 vs 15,020 (31.7% advantage for the Core i7-13700T). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13600T vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700T.

Feature	Core i5-13600T	Core i7-13700T
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	16 / 24+14%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	4.9 GHz+2%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz+29%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	28,202+1%	27,890
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,100+56%	11,611
Geekbench 6 Single	2,364	2,537+7%
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,911	15,020+38%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i7-13700T 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: H610,B660,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i5-13600T) and Z790,B760,H770,H710 (Core i7-13700T).

Feature	Core i5-13600T	Core i7-13700T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13600T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-13700T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600T) and UHD 770 (Core i7-13700T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600T targets Quiet Desktop / SFF PC, Core i7-13700T targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13600T rivals Ryzen 5 7600; Core i7-13700T rivals Ryzen 7 7700.

Feature	Core i5-13600T	Core i7-13700T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	UHD 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Quiet Desktop / SFF PC	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600T launched at $255 MSRP, while the Core i7-13700T debuted at $384. On MSRP ($255 vs $384), the Core i5-13600T is $129 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600T delivers 110.6 pts/$ vs 72.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-13700T — making the Core i5-13600T the 41.4% better value option.