Core i5-13600K vs M4 Pro (14 cores)
Core i5-13600K
M4 Pro (14 cores)
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 Core i5-13600K
Performance Per Dollar M4 Pro (14 cores)
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-13600K | M4 Pro (14 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($319) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-13600K | M4 Pro (14 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($319) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Core i5-13600K and M4 Pro (14 cores)
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.
M4 Pro (14 cores)
The M4 Pro (14 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.59 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 38,127 points. Launch price was $499.
Processing Power
The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, matching the M4 Pro (14 cores)'s 14 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 4.5 GHz on the M4 Pro (14 cores) — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.59 GHz). The Core i5-13600K is built on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the M4 Pro (14 cores)'s 38,127 — a 1.2% lead for the M4 Pro (14 cores).
| Feature | Core i5-13600K | M4 Pro (14 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 20 | 14 / 14 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+13% | 4.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+35% | 2.59 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB | — |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 3 nm-57% |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) | — |
| PassMark | 37,655 | 38,127+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M4 Pro (14 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus 8533 on the M4 Pro (14 cores) — the M4 Pro (14 cores) supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 64 — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13600K) vs 0 (M4 Pro (14 cores)). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 0 (M4 Pro (14 cores)) — the Core i5-13600K offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and Apple M4 (M4 Pro (14 cores)).
| Feature | Core i5-13600K | M4 Pro (14 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5600 | 8533+170560% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 192 GB+314572700% | 64 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 0 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i5-13600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) vs VT-x, VT-d (macOS) (M4 Pro (14 cores)). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) and Apple M4 Pro GPU (20-core) (M4 Pro (14 cores)) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: M4 Pro (14 cores) rivals Core Ultra 7 258V.
| Feature | Core i5-13600K | M4 Pro (14 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 770 | Apple M4 Pro GPU (20-core) |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d (macOS) |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
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