Core i5-13450HX vs Core i5-13600K

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 i5-13450HX

2023

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,869 vs 37,655).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌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: +23.1% higher average FPS across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13450HX needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Core i5-13450HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-13450HX

2023

Core i5-13600K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +23.1% higher average FPS across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13450HX needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,869 vs 37,655).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Core i5-13450HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Core i5-13450HX?

Yes. Core i5-13600K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 23.1% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data and 51.4% 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 23.1% more average FPS across 11 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 51.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 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 at an unclear MSRP at $329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 23.1% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13450HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 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 i5-13450HX Benchmark Check

Core i5-13600K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13450HX	Core i5-13600K
1080p
low	172 FPS	281 FPS
medium	159 FPS	264 FPS
high	132 FPS	220 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	188 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	235 FPS
medium	124 FPS	198 FPS
high	99 FPS	158 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	138 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	159 FPS
medium	74 FPS	133 FPS
high	59 FPS	102 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	90 FPS

Open Core i5-13450HX Open Core i5-13600K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13450HX	Core i5-13600K
1080p
low	544 FPS	632 FPS
medium	463 FPS	533 FPS
high	387 FPS	450 FPS
ultra	354 FPS	416 FPS
1440p
low	457 FPS	540 FPS
medium	402 FPS	474 FPS
high	345 FPS	403 FPS
ultra	300 FPS	351 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	316 FPS
medium	246 FPS	282 FPS
high	231 FPS	269 FPS
ultra	203 FPS	238 FPS

Open Core i5-13450HX Open Core i5-13600K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13450HX	Core i5-13600K
1080p
low	530 FPS	663 FPS
medium	449 FPS	543 FPS
high	415 FPS	477 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	414 FPS
1440p
low	490 FPS	600 FPS
medium	422 FPS	499 FPS
high	382 FPS	434 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	376 FPS
4K
low	393 FPS	441 FPS
medium	331 FPS	381 FPS
high	296 FPS	344 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	295 FPS

Open Core i5-13450HX Open Core i5-13600K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13450HX	Core i5-13600K
1080p
low	622 FPS	941 FPS
medium	622 FPS	941 FPS
high	622 FPS	923 FPS
ultra	622 FPS	831 FPS
1440p
low	622 FPS	941 FPS
medium	622 FPS	850 FPS
high	592 FPS	738 FPS
ultra	517 FPS	651 FPS
4K
low	529 FPS	651 FPS
medium	487 FPS	588 FPS
high	435 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	379 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i5-13450HX Open Core i5-13600K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13450HX and Core i5-13600K

Core i5-13450HX

The Core i5-13450HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): + 20 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,869 points. Launch price was $326.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13450HX packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-13600K offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13600K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13450HX versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-13450HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-13600K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13450HX scores 24,869 against the Core i5-13600K's 37,655 — a 40.9% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13450HX vs 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K.

Feature	Core i5-13450HX	Core i5-13600K
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	14 / 20+40%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+46%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	24 MB+20%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
PassMark	24,869	37,655+51%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13450HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-13600K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-13450HX	Core i5-13600K
Socket	FCBGA1964	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

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-13450HX) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-13450HX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop.