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 i9-13900E

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +32.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
85.3% HIGHER MSRP
$554 MSRPvs$299 MSRP

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $255 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 40,476).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-13900E

2023

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +32.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Costs $255 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
85.3% HIGHER MSRP
$554 MSRPvs$299 MSRP

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 40,476).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900E better than Ryzen 5 5600X?

Yes. Core i9-13900E is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 32.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 85.3% 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 i9-13900E is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 32.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13900E is the better fit. You are getting 85.3% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads.

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

Core i9-13900E is the smarter buy today. Core i9-13900E is 85.3% more expensive on MSRP at $554 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it gives you a 32.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 5600X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-13900E is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 6/12. 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 i9-13900E Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-13900E	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	305 FPS	203 FPS
medium	288 FPS	174 FPS
high	234 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	268 FPS	169 FPS
medium	229 FPS	141 FPS
high	174 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	154 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	184 FPS	85 FPS
medium	157 FPS	76 FPS
high	118 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	106 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core i9-13900E Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-13900E	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	412 FPS	464 FPS
medium	360 FPS	387 FPS
high	293 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	257 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	350 FPS	397 FPS
medium	314 FPS	334 FPS
high	261 FPS	290 FPS
ultra	210 FPS	253 FPS
4K
low	197 FPS	263 FPS
medium	179 FPS	226 FPS
high	170 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	146 FPS	171 FPS

Open Core i9-13900E Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-13900E	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	1012 FPS	546 FPS
medium	1012 FPS	473 FPS
high	977 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	838 FPS	358 FPS
1440p
low	991 FPS	508 FPS
medium	881 FPS	413 FPS
high	793 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	656 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	599 FPS	348 FPS
medium	519 FPS	292 FPS
high	463 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	396 FPS	199 FPS

Open Core i9-13900E Open Ryzen 5 5600X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-13900E	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	1012 FPS	546 FPS
medium	1012 FPS	546 FPS
high	935 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	810 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	1010 FPS	546 FPS
medium	881 FPS	546 FPS
high	761 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	524 FPS
4K
low	756 FPS	529 FPS
medium	662 FPS	484 FPS
high	578 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	379 FPS

Open Core i9-13900E Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-13900E and Ryzen 5 5600X

Core i9-13900E

The Core i9-13900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 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 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 40,476 points. Launch price was $499.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-13900E packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-13900E has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-13900E versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 12.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900E (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-13900E uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900E scores 40,476 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 59.8% lead for the Core i9-13900E. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900E vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i9-13900E	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+300%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+13%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.7 GHz+106%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)+13%	32 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512K (per core)
Process	10 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	40,476+85%	21,845
Geekbench 6 Single	2,606	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	15,000	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-13900E versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Core i9-13900E supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13900E) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: W680,Q670,Z790,H770 (Core i9-13900E) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i9-13900E	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13900E) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i9-13900E includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900E targets Embedded, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-13900E	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Embedded	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-13900E launched at $554 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X debuted at $299. On MSRP ($554 vs $299), the Ryzen 5 5600X is $255 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900E delivers 73.1 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Core i9-13900E the 0% better value option.