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

✅+24.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $228 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $557 MSRP).
✅Delivers 110.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 54.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $557 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Core i9-14901E

2024

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (30,298 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 54.4 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($557 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Core i5-13600K

2022

Core i9-14901E

2024

Why buy it

✅+24.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $228 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $557 MSRP).
✅Delivers 110.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 54.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $557 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (30,298 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 54.4 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($557 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-14901E better than Core i5-13600K?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i9-14901E is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600K pulls ahead with 24.3% better PassMark. Core i9-14901E also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).

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 24.3% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-14901E is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13600K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-14901E is 69.3% more expensive on MSRP at $557 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i5-13600K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 24.3% better PassMark. Core i5-13600K is also 110.4% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 54.4 PassMark/$), 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 i9-14901E is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and 50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB). 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 i9-14901E Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-14901E
1080p
low	281 FPS	273 FPS
medium	264 FPS	254 FPS
high	220 FPS	212 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	184 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	256 FPS
medium	198 FPS	214 FPS
high	158 FPS	166 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	148 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	175 FPS
medium	133 FPS	147 FPS
high	102 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	97 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-14901E

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-14901E
1080p
low	632 FPS	757 FPS
medium	533 FPS	677 FPS
high	450 FPS	549 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	479 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	659 FPS
medium	474 FPS	594 FPS
high	403 FPS	491 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	395 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	369 FPS
medium	282 FPS	337 FPS
high	269 FPS	317 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	273 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-14901E

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-14901E
1080p
low	663 FPS	757 FPS
medium	543 FPS	653 FPS
high	477 FPS	570 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	481 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	720 FPS
medium	499 FPS	587 FPS
high	434 FPS	506 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	435 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	508 FPS
medium	381 FPS	437 FPS
high	344 FPS	394 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	331 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-14901E

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-14901E
1080p
low	941 FPS	757 FPS
medium	941 FPS	757 FPS
high	923 FPS	757 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	729 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	757 FPS
medium	850 FPS	750 FPS
high	738 FPS	656 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	576 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	629 FPS
medium	588 FPS	563 FPS
high	529 FPS	499 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	436 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-14901E

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Core i9-14901E

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 i9-14901E

The Core i9-14901E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Julho 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,298 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-14901E 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 5.6 GHz on the Core i9-14901E — a 9.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-14901E (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-14901E uses Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Core i9-14901E's 30,298 — a 21.7% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-14901E.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-14901E
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz	5.6 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+25%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB	36 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
PassMark	37,655+24%	30,298
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,894
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	14,262

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. 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 Intel 600 Series,Intel 700 Series (Core i9-14901E).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-14901E
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) vs Yes (Core i9-14901E). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-14901E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-14901E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Core i9-14901E debuted at $557. On MSRP ($329 vs $557), the Core i5-13600K is $228 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 54.4 pts/$ for the Core i9-14901E — making the Core i5-13600K the 71.1% better value option.