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

✅Better for gaming: +27.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $71 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Delivers 114.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 53.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.

Core i7-11850HE

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,365 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 53.4 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Core i7-11850HE

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +27.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $71 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Delivers 114.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 53.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,365 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 53.4 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Core i7-11850HE?

Yes. Core i5-13600K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 27.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 76.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, 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 27.1% more average FPS across 50 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 76.2% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i5-13600K is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13600K is $71 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $400 MSRP, and it gives you a 27.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 114.3% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 53.4 PassMark/$), 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 i5-13600K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 8/16. 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.

Core i5-13600K Benchmark Check

Core i7-11850HE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-11850HE
1080p
low	281 FPS	165 FPS
medium	264 FPS	145 FPS
high	220 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	141 FPS
medium	198 FPS	120 FPS
high	158 FPS	97 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	81 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	77 FPS
medium	133 FPS	71 FPS
high	102 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i7-11850HE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-11850HE
1080p
low	632 FPS	297 FPS
medium	533 FPS	257 FPS
high	450 FPS	217 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	196 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	255 FPS
medium	474 FPS	228 FPS
high	403 FPS	198 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	171 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	158 FPS
medium	282 FPS	143 FPS
high	269 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	119 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i7-11850HE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-11850HE
1080p
low	663 FPS	534 FPS
medium	543 FPS	534 FPS
high	477 FPS	524 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	419 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	534 FPS
medium	499 FPS	518 FPS
high	434 FPS	445 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	362 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	444 FPS
medium	381 FPS	375 FPS
high	344 FPS	331 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	268 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i7-11850HE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-11850HE
1080p
low	941 FPS	534 FPS
medium	941 FPS	534 FPS
high	923 FPS	534 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	534 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	534 FPS
medium	850 FPS	534 FPS
high	738 FPS	534 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	512 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	534 FPS
medium	588 FPS	482 FPS
high	529 FPS	429 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	373 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i7-11850HE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Core i7-11850HE

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.

Core i7-11850HE

The Core i7-11850HE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 August 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,365 points. Launch price was $400.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i7-11850HE offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13600K has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-11850HE — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-11850HE uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Core i7-11850HE's 21,365 — a 55.2% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11850HE.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-11850HE
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+9%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+67%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	37,655+76%	21,365
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,984

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-11850HE uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11850HE — the Core i5-13600K supports 75% 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 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and RM590E,QM580E (Core i7-11850HE).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-11850HE
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+75%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-13600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-11850HE 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, EPT (Core i7-11850HE). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) and UHD Graphics (Core i7-11850HE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop, Core i7-11850HE targets Embedded/Industrial. Direct competitor: Core i7-11850HE rivals Ryzen Embedded V3000.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-11850HE
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	UHD Graphics
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Embedded/Industrial

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Core i7-11850HE debuted at $400. On MSRP ($329 vs $400), the Core i5-13600K is $71 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 53.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-11850HE — making the Core i5-13600K the 72.7% better value option.