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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core 5 120

2025

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 14 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,629 vs 37,655).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 63.6 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($340 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.6% higher average FPS across 14 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Costs $11 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
✅Delivers 79.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 63.6 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Core 5 120

2025

Core i5-13600K

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.6% higher average FPS across 14 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Costs $11 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
✅Delivers 79.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 63.6 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 14 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,629 vs 37,655).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 63.6 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($340 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Core 5 120?

Yes. Core i5-13600K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 28.6% average FPS lead across 14 shared CPU game tests in our data and 74.1% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13600K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 28.6% more average FPS across 14 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600K is the better fit. You are getting 74.1% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i5-13600K is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13600K is $11 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $340 MSRP, and it gives you a 28.6% average FPS lead across 14 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 79.9% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 63.6 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core 5 120 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core 5 120 Benchmark Check

Core i5-13600K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core 5 120	Core i5-13600K
1080p
low	170 FPS	281 FPS
medium	147 FPS	264 FPS
high	118 FPS	220 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	188 FPS
1440p
low	145 FPS	235 FPS
medium	123 FPS	198 FPS
high	99 FPS	158 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	138 FPS
4K
low	79 FPS	159 FPS
medium	72 FPS	133 FPS
high	57 FPS	102 FPS
ultra	44 FPS	90 FPS

Open Core 5 120 Open Core i5-13600K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core 5 120	Core i5-13600K
1080p
low	471 FPS	632 FPS
medium	401 FPS	533 FPS
high	338 FPS	450 FPS
ultra	298 FPS	416 FPS
1440p
low	409 FPS	540 FPS
medium	355 FPS	474 FPS
high	309 FPS	403 FPS
ultra	264 FPS	351 FPS
4K
low	274 FPS	316 FPS
medium	243 FPS	282 FPS
high	223 FPS	269 FPS
ultra	191 FPS	238 FPS

Open Core 5 120 Open Core i5-13600K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core 5 120	Core i5-13600K
1080p
low	541 FPS	663 FPS
medium	541 FPS	543 FPS
high	541 FPS	477 FPS
ultra	496 FPS	414 FPS
1440p
low	541 FPS	600 FPS
medium	491 FPS	499 FPS
high	445 FPS	434 FPS
ultra	388 FPS	376 FPS
4K
low	411 FPS	441 FPS
medium	347 FPS	381 FPS
high	303 FPS	344 FPS
ultra	244 FPS	295 FPS

Open Core 5 120 Open Core i5-13600K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core 5 120	Core i5-13600K
1080p
low	541 FPS	941 FPS
medium	541 FPS	941 FPS
high	541 FPS	923 FPS
ultra	541 FPS	831 FPS
1440p
low	541 FPS	941 FPS
medium	541 FPS	850 FPS
high	541 FPS	738 FPS
ultra	534 FPS	651 FPS
4K
low	541 FPS	651 FPS
medium	499 FPS	588 FPS
high	440 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core 5 120 Open Core i5-13600K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 5 120 and Core i5-13600K

Core 5 120

The Core 5 120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,629 points. Launch price was $211.

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 Core 5 120 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-13600K offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13600K has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core 5 120 versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-13600K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120 scores 21,629 against the Core i5-13600K's 37,655 — a 54.1% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 120 vs 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i5-13600K
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	14 / 20+133%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5.1 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	24 MB+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
PassMark	21,629	37,655+74%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i5-13600K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	—	192 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core 5 120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i5-13600K
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 5 120 launched at $340 MSRP, while the Core i5-13600K debuted at $329. On MSRP ($340 vs $329), the Core i5-13600K is $11 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120 delivers 63.6 pts/$ vs 114.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-13600K — making the Core i5-13600K the 57.1% better value option.