Core i5-13600K vs EPYC 9275F

Intel

Core i5-13600K

14 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2022

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

EPYC 9275F

24 Cores48 Thrd320 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2024

Popular choices:

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.

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 i5-13600K

2022

Why buy it

  • Costs $3,110 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $3,439 MSRP).
  • Delivers 365.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $3,439 MSRP).
  • Draws 125W instead of 320W, a 195W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 9275F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • No 3D V-Cache or similar L3 advantage, which matters in CPU-limited gaming (24 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Lower PassMark (37,655 vs 84,620).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9275F, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 9275F

2024

Why buy it

  • Massive L3 cache advantage with 256 MB vs 24 MB, which is a real win in CPU-limited gaming.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
  • 540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.6 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($3,439 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 156% higher power demand at 320W vs 125W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 9275F better than Core i5-13600K?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 9275F makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-13600K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, EPYC 9275F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests. It also has a big cache advantage at 256 MB vs 24 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9275F is the better fit. You are getting 124.7% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 966.7% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 24 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 9275F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13600K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. EPYC 9275F is 945.3% more expensive on MSRP at $3,439 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13600K is also 365.1% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 24.6 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 9275F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 256 MB L3 cache instead of 24 MB, more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 14/20, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i5-13600KEPYC 9275F
1080p
low281 FPS315 FPS
medium264 FPS290 FPS
high220 FPS241 FPS
ultra188 FPS204 FPS
1440p
low235 FPS278 FPS
medium198 FPS230 FPS
high158 FPS178 FPS
ultra138 FPS159 FPS
4K
low159 FPS191 FPS
medium133 FPS157 FPS
high102 FPS120 FPS
ultra90 FPS107 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-13600KEPYC 9275F
1080p
low632 FPS725 FPS
medium533 FPS618 FPS
high450 FPS485 FPS
ultra416 FPS421 FPS
1440p
low540 FPS579 FPS
medium474 FPS510 FPS
high403 FPS419 FPS
ultra351 FPS341 FPS
4K
low316 FPS338 FPS
medium282 FPS300 FPS
high269 FPS270 FPS
ultra238 FPS239 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-13600KEPYC 9275F
1080p
low663 FPS923 FPS
medium543 FPS748 FPS
high477 FPS675 FPS
ultra414 FPS572 FPS
1440p
low600 FPS724 FPS
medium499 FPS584 FPS
high434 FPS515 FPS
ultra376 FPS433 FPS
4K
low441 FPS511 FPS
medium381 FPS421 FPS
high344 FPS374 FPS
ultra295 FPS309 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-13600KEPYC 9275F
1080p
low941 FPS1141 FPS
medium941 FPS1015 FPS
high923 FPS902 FPS
ultra831 FPS813 FPS
1440p
low941 FPS891 FPS
medium850 FPS785 FPS
high738 FPS689 FPS
ultra651 FPS600 FPS
4K
low651 FPS650 FPS
medium588 FPS580 FPS
high529 FPS515 FPS
ultra437 FPS437 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and EPYC 9275F

Intel

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.

AMD

EPYC 9275F

The EPYC 9275F is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 320 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 84,620 points. Launch price was $3,439.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the EPYC 9275F offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 9275F has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 4.8 GHz on the EPYC 9275F — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 9275F uses Turin (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the EPYC 9275F's 84,620 — a 76.8% lead for the EPYC 9275F. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9275F.

FeatureCore i5-13600KEPYC 9275F
Cores / Threads
14 / 20
24 / 48+71%
Boost Clock
5.1 GHz+6%
4.8 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
4.1 GHz+17%
L3 Cache
24 MB
256 MB (total)+967%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)+100%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
Turin (2024)
PassMark
37,655
84,620+125%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 9275F uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus 6000 on the EPYC 9275F — the EPYC 9275F supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9275F supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 192 GB 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13600K) vs 12 (EPYC 9275F). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 128 (EPYC 9275F) — the EPYC 9275F offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and SP5 (EPYC 9275F).

FeatureCore i5-13600KEPYC 9275F
Socket
LGA1700
SP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600
6000+119900%
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB+3276700%
6144
RAM Channels
2
12+500%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
128+540%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-13600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 9275F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) vs VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9275F). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 9275F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: EPYC 9275F rivals Xeon 6980P.

FeatureCore i5-13600KEPYC 9275F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 770
None
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the EPYC 9275F debuted at $3439. On MSRP ($329 vs $3439), the Core i5-13600K is $3110 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 24.6 pts/$ for the EPYC 9275F — making the Core i5-13600K the 129.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-13600KEPYC 9275F
MSRP
$329-90%
$3439
Performance per Dollar
114.5+365%
24.6
Release Date
2022
2024