Core i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Core i9-13900KS

24 Cores32 Thrd150 WWMax: 5.8 GHz2023

Core family

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-13900KS

24 / 32

60,543

+242.3%

17,685

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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.

Core i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 5 3600 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i9-13900KS

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +36.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
251.3% HIGHER MSRP
$699 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
❌130.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $500 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 150W, a 85W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-13900KS.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 40,998).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900KS moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900KS can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900KS better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Yes. Core i9-13900KS is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 36.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 331.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 242.3% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-13900KS is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 36.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13900KS is the stronger fit. You are getting 331.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads.

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

Core i9-13900KS is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-13900KS comes in 251.3% more expensive on MSRP at $699 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 36.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 2.6% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 86.6 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 3600 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core i9-13900KS makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i9-13900KS

The Core i9-13900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.8 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 60,543 points. Launch price was $699.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-13900KS packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-13900KS has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.8 GHz on the Core i9-13900KS versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 32% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900KS (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-13900KS uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900KS scores 60,543 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 109.6% lead for the Core i9-13900KS. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 40,998 vs 9,500 (124.7% advantage for the Core i9-13900KS). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,123 vs 1,295, a 82.8% lead for the Core i9-13900KS that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 21,421 vs 1,898 (167.4% advantage for the Core i9-13900KS). L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900KS vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i9-13900KS	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+300%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5.8 GHz+38%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)+13%	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+25500%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	60,543+242%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	40,998+332%	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	3,123+141%	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	21,421+1029%	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900KS uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-13900KS versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Core i9-13900KS supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13900KS supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13900KS) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760 (Core i9-13900KS) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Core i9-13900KS	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+75%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i9-13900KS) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core i9-13900KS includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-13900KS rivals Ryzen 9 7950X; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core i9-13900KS	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-13900KS was priced at $699, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($699 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $500 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900KS delivers 86.6 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 2.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-13900KS	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$699	$199-72%
Performance per Dollar	86.6	88.9+3%
Release Date	2023	2019

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