Core i5-13600K vs Core i7-13620H

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

✅+58.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13620H across 45 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Core i7-13620H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.

Core i7-13620H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 45 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (23,804 vs 37,655).

Core i5-13600K

2022

Core i7-13620H

2023

Why buy it

✅+58.2% higher PassMark.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 45 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13620H across 45 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Core i7-13620H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (23,804 vs 37,655).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13620H better than Core i5-13600K?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i7-13620H is ahead with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 45 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600K pulls ahead with 58.2% better PassMark.

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 58.2% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i7-13620H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13600K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-13620H is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 45 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i5-13600K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 58.2% better PassMark. Core i5-13600K is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core i7-13620H 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 i5-13600K Benchmark Check

Core i7-13620H Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-13620H
1080p
low	281 FPS	293 FPS
medium	264 FPS	269 FPS
high	220 FPS	229 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	196 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	241 FPS
medium	198 FPS	197 FPS
high	158 FPS	162 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	141 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	169 FPS
medium	133 FPS	138 FPS
high	102 FPS	107 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	93 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i7-13620H

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-13620H
1080p
low	632 FPS	595 FPS
medium	533 FPS	519 FPS
high	450 FPS	426 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	384 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	538 FPS
medium	474 FPS	450 FPS
high	403 FPS	380 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	325 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	333 FPS
medium	282 FPS	281 FPS
high	269 FPS	258 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	227 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i7-13620H

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-13620H
1080p
low	663 FPS	595 FPS
medium	543 FPS	595 FPS
high	477 FPS	595 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	595 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	595 FPS
medium	499 FPS	595 FPS
high	434 FPS	587 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	507 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	595 FPS
medium	381 FPS	494 FPS
high	344 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	374 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i7-13620H

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-13620H
1080p
low	941 FPS	595 FPS
medium	941 FPS	595 FPS
high	923 FPS	595 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	595 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	595 FPS
medium	850 FPS	595 FPS
high	738 FPS	595 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	595 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	595 FPS
medium	588 FPS	557 FPS
high	529 FPS	502 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	432 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i7-13620H

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Core i7-13620H

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 i7-13620H

The Core i7-13620H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 23,804 points. Launch price was $502.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i7-13620H offers 10 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13600K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-13620H — a 4% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-13620H uses Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Core i7-13620H's 23,804 — a 45.1% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-13620H.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-13620H
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+40%	10 / 16
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+4%	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+46%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)
PassMark	37,655+58%	23,804
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	15,176
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,859
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,766

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-13620H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB — 66.7% 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 Mobile (Core i7-13620H).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i7-13620H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+100%	96 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i7-13620H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) and UHD Graphics (64EU) (Core i7-13620H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop.