EPYC 9555 vs Core i5-13600K
EPYC 9555
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 9555
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-13600K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 9555 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($7,973) | ✅ More affordable ($319) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Turin (2024) / 4 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 9555 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+606%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($7,973) | ✅ More affordable ($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 9555 and Core i5-13600K
EPYC 9555
The EPYC 9555 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 360 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 133,253 points. Launch price was $9,826.
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 9555 packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the Core i5-13600K offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the EPYC 9555 has 50 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the EPYC 9555 versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The EPYC 9555 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Core i5-13600K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9555 scores 133,253 against the Core i5-13600K's 37,655 — a 111.9% lead for the EPYC 9555. L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9555 vs 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K.
| Feature | EPYC 9555 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 64 / 128+357% | 14 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 5.1 GHz+16% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.5 GHz+9% |
| L3 Cache | 256 MB (total)+967% | 24 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 4 nm-43% | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Turin (2024) | Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) |
| PassMark | 133,253+254% | 37,655 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9555 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-13600K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6000 memory speed. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 6 TB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9555) vs 2 (Core i5-13600K). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9555) vs 20 (Core i5-13600K) — the EPYC 9555 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9555) and Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K).
| Feature | EPYC 9555 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP5 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-6000 | DDR5-5600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6 TB+3100% | 192 GB |
| RAM Channels | 12+500% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+540% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9555) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 9555 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: EPYC 9555 targets Data Center, Core i5-13600K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: EPYC 9555 rivals Xeon 6972P.
| Feature | EPYC 9555 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V, SEV-SNP | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Data Center | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The EPYC 9555 launched at $9826 MSRP, while the Core i5-13600K debuted at $329. At current prices ($7973 vs $319), the Core i5-13600K is $7654 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9555 delivers 16.7 pts/$ vs 118.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-13600K — making the Core i5-13600K the 150.4% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9555 | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $9826 | $329-97% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $7973 | $319-96% |
| Performance per Dollar | 16.7 | 118.0+607% |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2022 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on EPYC 9555 and Core i5-13600K
