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: +104.1% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Delivers 181.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 40.6 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 130W, a 5W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2667 v2, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
❌
9.7% HIGHER MSRP
$329 MSRPvs$300 MSRP

Xeon E5-2667 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅Costs $29 less on MSRP ($300 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,186 vs 37,655).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 40.6 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Xeon E5-2667 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +104.1% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Delivers 181.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 40.6 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 130W, a 5W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅Costs $29 less on MSRP ($300 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2667 v2, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
❌
9.7% HIGHER MSRP
$329 MSRPvs$300 MSRP

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,186 vs 37,655).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 40.6 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Xeon E5-2667 v2?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon E5-2667 v2 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 104.1% more average FPS across 2 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 209% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 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 9.7% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it gives you a 104.1% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 181.8% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 40.6 PassMark/$), 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 2013), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 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

Xeon E5-2667 v2 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Xeon E5-2667 v2
1080p
low	281 FPS	170 FPS
medium	264 FPS	145 FPS
high	220 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	95 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	145 FPS
medium	198 FPS	120 FPS
high	158 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	77 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	66 FPS
medium	133 FPS	59 FPS
high	102 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Xeon E5-2667 v2

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Xeon E5-2667 v2
1080p
low	632 FPS	305 FPS
medium	533 FPS	305 FPS
high	450 FPS	276 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	232 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	305 FPS
medium	474 FPS	288 FPS
high	403 FPS	245 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	203 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	204 FPS
medium	282 FPS	187 FPS
high	269 FPS	169 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	139 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Xeon E5-2667 v2

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Xeon E5-2667 v2
1080p
low	663 FPS	305 FPS
medium	543 FPS	305 FPS
high	477 FPS	305 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	305 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	305 FPS
medium	499 FPS	305 FPS
high	434 FPS	305 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	305 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	305 FPS
medium	381 FPS	305 FPS
high	344 FPS	305 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	305 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Xeon E5-2667 v2

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Xeon E5-2667 v2
1080p
low	941 FPS	305 FPS
medium	941 FPS	305 FPS
high	923 FPS	305 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	305 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	305 FPS
medium	850 FPS	305 FPS
high	738 FPS	305 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	305 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	305 FPS
medium	588 FPS	305 FPS
high	529 FPS	305 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	305 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Xeon E5-2667 v2

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Xeon E5-2667 v2

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.

Xeon E5-2667 v2

The Xeon E5-2667 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 12,186 points. Launch price was $2,300.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-2667 v2 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 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2667 v2 — a 24.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2667 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Xeon E5-2667 v2's 12,186 — a 102.2% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2667 v2.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Xeon E5-2667 v2
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+27%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+6%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB+20%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	37,655+209%	12,186

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2667 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E5-2667 v2 — the Core i5-13600K supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2667 v2 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13600K) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2667 v2). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2667 v2) — the Xeon E5-2667 v2 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2667 v2).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Xeon E5-2667 v2
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+67%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	768 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	40+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) / not specified (Xeon E5-2667 v2). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon E5-2667 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Xeon E5-2667 v2
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
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 Xeon E5-2667 v2 debuted at $300. On MSRP ($329 vs $300), the Xeon E5-2667 v2 is $29 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 40.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2667 v2 — making the Core i5-13600K the 95.2% better value option.