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: +9.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $670 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 316.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 27.5 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 180W, a 55W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3r2 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

2017

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅220% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (27,487 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.5 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌44% higher power demand at 180W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on SP3r2 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $670 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 316.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 27.5 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 180W, a 55W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3r2 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅220% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (27,487 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.5 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌44% higher power demand at 180W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on SP3r2 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Ryzen Threadripper 1950X?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper 1950X makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-13600K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

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 9.0% 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 37% 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 $670 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 316.0% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 27.5 PassMark/$), 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 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of SP3r2, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 16/32. 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

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
1080p
low	281 FPS	198 FPS
medium	264 FPS	172 FPS
high	220 FPS	141 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	110 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	155 FPS
medium	198 FPS	129 FPS
high	158 FPS	103 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	69 FPS
medium	133 FPS	61 FPS
high	102 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	37 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
1080p
low	632 FPS	407 FPS
medium	533 FPS	365 FPS
high	450 FPS	311 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	259 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	348 FPS
medium	474 FPS	318 FPS
high	403 FPS	272 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	224 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	224 FPS
medium	282 FPS	204 FPS
high	269 FPS	185 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	150 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
1080p
low	663 FPS	687 FPS
medium	543 FPS	687 FPS
high	477 FPS	687 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	687 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	687 FPS
medium	499 FPS	687 FPS
high	434 FPS	656 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	584 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	519 FPS
medium	381 FPS	428 FPS
high	344 FPS	383 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	321 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
1080p
low	941 FPS	687 FPS
medium	941 FPS	687 FPS
high	923 FPS	687 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	640 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	687 FPS
medium	850 FPS	687 FPS
high	738 FPS	611 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	510 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	578 FPS
medium	588 FPS	517 FPS
high	529 FPS	458 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	382 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

The Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 27,487 points. Launch price was $999.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X — a 24.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X's 27,487 — a 31.2% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 32 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	16 / 32+14%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+27%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+3%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB	32 MB+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	37,655+37%	27,487
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,040
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X uses SP3r2 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X — the Core i5-13600K supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper 1950X supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13600K) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 1950X). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 1950X) — the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 1950X).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
Socket	LGA1700	SP3r2
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+25%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	256 GB+33%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	64+220%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper 1950X). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop, Ryzen Threadripper 1950X targets Workstation.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X debuted at $999. On MSRP ($329 vs $999), the Core i5-13600K is $670 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 27.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X — making the Core i5-13600K the 122.5% better value option.