
EPYC 7251 vs Core i5-13600K

EPYC 7251

Core i5-13600K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 7251
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-13600K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 7251 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($319) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Naples (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 7251 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($319) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 7251 and Core i5-13600K

EPYC 7251
The EPYC 7251 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 14,935 points. Launch price was $574.

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.
Processing Power
The EPYC 7251 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-13600K offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13600K has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the EPYC 7251 versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K — a 55% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The EPYC 7251 uses the Naples (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-13600K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7251 scores 14,935 against the Core i5-13600K's 37,655 — a 86.4% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7251 vs 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K.
| Feature | EPYC 7251 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 14 / 20+75% |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz | 5.1 GHz+76% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.5 GHz+67% |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total)+33% | 24 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Naples (2017−2018) | Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) |
| PassMark | 14,935 | 37,655+152% |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 7251 uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-13600K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | EPYC 7251 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | TR4 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR5-5600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 192 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (EPYC 7251) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 7251 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop.
| Feature | EPYC 7251 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
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