Ryzen 5 2500U vs Core i5-13600K
Ryzen 5 2500U
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. The Ryzen 5 2500U is positioned at rank #106 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. 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 Ryzen 5 2500U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-13600K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($349) | ✅ More affordable ($319) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raven Ridge (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+534%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($349) | ✅ 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 2500U and Core i5-13600K
Ryzen 5 2500U
The Ryzen 5 2500U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 26 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,494 points. Launch price was $149.
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 Ryzen 5 2500U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-13600K offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13600K has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2500U versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K — a 34.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 5 2500U uses the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-13600K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 2500U scores 6,494 against the Core i5-13600K's 37,655 — a 141.2% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2500U vs 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 14 / 20+250% |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 5.1 GHz+42% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 3.5 GHz+75% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 24 MB+500% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Raven Ridge (2017−2019) | Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) |
| PassMark | 6,494 | 37,655+480% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 818 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,310 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 2500U uses the FP5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-13600K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Ryzen 5 2500U versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K — the Core i5-13600K supports 22.2% 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 32 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Ryzen 5 2500U) vs 20 (Core i5-13600K) — the Core i5-13600K offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FP5 (Ryzen 5 2500U) and Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP5 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR5-5600+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 192 GB+500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 20+67% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i5-13600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 2500U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon Vega 8 (Ryzen 5 2500U) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 2500U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-13600K targets Desktop.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon Vega 8 | UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 5 2500U launched at $349 MSRP, while the Core i5-13600K debuted at $329.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 2500U | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $349 | $329-6% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $319 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2022 |
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