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: +5.0% higher average FPS across 33 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $970 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 380.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 250W, a 125W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

2018

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 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 33 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (30,954 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($1,299 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 250W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 33 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $970 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 380.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 250W, a 125W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 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 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 33 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (30,954 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($1,299 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 250W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX 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 5.0% more average FPS across 33 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 21.6% 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 $970 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $1,299 MSRP, and it gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 33 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 380.3% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 23.8 PassMark/$), 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 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of TR4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 24/48. 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 2970WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
1080p
low	281 FPS	198 FPS
medium	264 FPS	177 FPS
high	220 FPS	143 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	115 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	160 FPS
medium	198 FPS	134 FPS
high	158 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	85 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	73 FPS
medium	133 FPS	64 FPS
high	102 FPS	50 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	41 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
1080p
low	632 FPS	536 FPS
medium	533 FPS	483 FPS
high	450 FPS	404 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	354 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	473 FPS
medium	474 FPS	424 FPS
high	403 FPS	360 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	299 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	295 FPS
medium	282 FPS	265 FPS
high	269 FPS	242 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	213 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
1080p
low	663 FPS	768 FPS
medium	543 FPS	640 FPS
high	477 FPS	577 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	504 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	640 FPS
medium	499 FPS	533 FPS
high	434 FPS	465 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	408 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	469 FPS
medium	381 FPS	377 FPS
high	344 FPS	336 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	280 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
1080p
low	941 FPS	774 FPS
medium	941 FPS	774 FPS
high	923 FPS	704 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	616 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	730 FPS
medium	850 FPS	644 FPS
high	738 FPS	549 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	474 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	523 FPS
medium	588 FPS	473 FPS
high	529 FPS	419 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	362 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

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 2970WX

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,954 points. Launch price was $1,299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — a 19.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX's 30,954 — a 19.5% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	24 / 48+71%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+21%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+17%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB	64 MB+167%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-42%	12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	37,655+22%	30,954
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	29,045
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,240
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,241

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — the Core i5-13600K supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 165.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13600K) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX 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 2970WX).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Socket	LGA1700	TR4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+25%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	2048 GB+967%
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 2970WX). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX targets Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX rivals Core i9-7940X.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
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	Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX debuted at $1299. On MSRP ($329 vs $1299), the Core i5-13600K is $970 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 23.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — making the Core i5-13600K the 131.1% better value option.