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: +34.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $184 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Delivers 202.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 127W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i9-9900KS

2019

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,397 vs 37,655).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.8 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Core i9-9900KS

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $184 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Delivers 202.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 127W, a 2W reduction.

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,397 vs 37,655).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.8 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Core i9-9900KS?

Yes. Core i5-13600K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 34.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 94.1% 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 34.0% more average FPS across 4 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 94.1% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 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 $184 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $513 MSRP, and it gives you a 34.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 202.7% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 37.8 PassMark/$), 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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB), 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 i9-9900KS Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9900KS
1080p
low	281 FPS	301 FPS
medium	264 FPS	273 FPS
high	220 FPS	228 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	180 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	266 FPS
medium	198 FPS	218 FPS
high	158 FPS	177 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	142 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	168 FPS
medium	133 FPS	139 FPS
high	102 FPS	107 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	93 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-9900KS

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9900KS
1080p
low	632 FPS	449 FPS
medium	533 FPS	369 FPS
high	450 FPS	322 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	286 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	397 FPS
medium	474 FPS	344 FPS
high	403 FPS	298 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	255 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	267 FPS
medium	282 FPS	238 FPS
high	269 FPS	226 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	192 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-9900KS

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9900KS
1080p
low	663 FPS	485 FPS
medium	543 FPS	485 FPS
high	477 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	429 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	485 FPS
medium	499 FPS	485 FPS
high	434 FPS	454 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	373 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	462 FPS
medium	381 FPS	401 FPS
high	344 FPS	351 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	283 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-9900KS

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9900KS
1080p
low	941 FPS	485 FPS
medium	941 FPS	485 FPS
high	923 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	485 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	485 FPS
medium	850 FPS	485 FPS
high	738 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	485 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	485 FPS
medium	588 FPS	485 FPS
high	529 FPS	440 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	380 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-9900KS

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Core i9-9900KS

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 i9-9900KS

The Core i9-9900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 127 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,397 points. Launch price was $513.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-9900KS 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 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-9900KS uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Core i9-9900KS's 19,397 — a 64% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9900KS
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+2%	5 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	4 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	24 MB+50%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	37,655+94%	19,397

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9900KS uses LGA1151 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9900KS
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	—
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) / not specified (Core i9-9900KS). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i9-9900KS requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9900KS
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Core i9-9900KS debuted at $513. On MSRP ($329 vs $513), the Core i5-13600K is $184 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 37.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900KS — making the Core i5-13600K the 100.7% better value option.