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 $339 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).
✅Delivers 66.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 68.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13980HX across 45 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (37,655 vs 45,950).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

Core i9-13980HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 45 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.8 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($668 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Core i5-13600K

2022

Core i9-13980HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $339 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).
✅Delivers 66.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 68.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 45 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13980HX across 45 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (37,655 vs 45,950).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.8 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($668 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13980HX better than Core i5-13600K?

Yes. Core i9-13980HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 7.5% average FPS lead across 45 shared CPU game tests in our data, 22% 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 i9-13980HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 7.5% more average FPS across 45 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13980HX is the better fit. You are getting 22% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Core i9-13980HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13600K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-13980HX is 103.0% more expensive on MSRP at $668 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 45 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13600K is also 66.4% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 68.8 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13980HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), 50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 14/20. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 i9-13980HX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13980HX
1080p
low	281 FPS	321 FPS
medium	264 FPS	311 FPS
high	220 FPS	247 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	209 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	278 FPS
medium	198 FPS	240 FPS
high	158 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	192 FPS
medium	133 FPS	164 FPS
high	102 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	112 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-13980HX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13980HX
1080p
low	632 FPS	497 FPS
medium	533 FPS	434 FPS
high	450 FPS	354 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	313 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	422 FPS
medium	474 FPS	380 FPS
high	403 FPS	316 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	257 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	236 FPS
medium	282 FPS	216 FPS
high	269 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	179 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-13980HX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13980HX
1080p
low	663 FPS	762 FPS
medium	543 FPS	626 FPS
high	477 FPS	543 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	467 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	680 FPS
medium	499 FPS	567 FPS
high	434 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	423 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	497 FPS
medium	381 FPS	430 FPS
high	344 FPS	383 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	329 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-13980HX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13980HX
1080p
low	941 FPS	1012 FPS
medium	941 FPS	905 FPS
high	923 FPS	792 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	704 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	840 FPS
medium	850 FPS	739 FPS
high	738 FPS	646 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	568 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	620 FPS
medium	588 FPS	555 FPS
high	529 FPS	491 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	430 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-13980HX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Core i9-13980HX

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 i9-13980HX

The Core i9-13980HX 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 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 45,950 points. Launch price was $668.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-13980HX offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13980HX has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 5.5 GHz on the Core i9-13980HX — a 7.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-13980HX (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-13980HX uses Raptor Lake-HX (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Core i9-13980HX's 45,950 — a 19.8% lead for the Core i9-13980HX. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13980HX.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13980HX
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	24 / 32+71%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz	5.5 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+59%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB	36 MB (total)+50%
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-HX (2023)
PassMark	37,655	45,950+22%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-13980HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus 5600 on the Core i9-13980HX — the Core i9-13980HX supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. 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 Raptor Lake-HX (Core i9-13980HX).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13980HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	5600+111900%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+104857500%	192
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-13980HX 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 Intel UHD Graphics (Core i9-13980HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i9-13980HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-13980HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Core i9-13980HX debuted at $668. On MSRP ($329 vs $668), the Core i5-13600K is $339 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 68.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-13980HX — making the Core i5-13600K the 49.8% better value option.