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 i9-13900K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +44.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 33.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 97.5 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅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

❌
100.3% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$299 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $300 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 58,373).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-13900K

2022

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +44.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 33.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 97.5 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅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 $300 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
100.3% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$299 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 58,373).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i9-13900K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 44.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 167.2% 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 i9-13900K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 44.0% 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 i9-13900K is the better fit. You are getting 167.2% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads.

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

Core i9-13900K is the smarter buy today. Core i9-13900K is 100.3% more expensive on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it gives you a 44.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 33.4% better value on MSRP (97.5 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13900K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 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 i9-13900K Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-13900K	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	325 FPS	203 FPS
medium	314 FPS	174 FPS
high	249 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	211 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	281 FPS	169 FPS
medium	241 FPS	141 FPS
high	179 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	158 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	194 FPS	85 FPS
medium	165 FPS	76 FPS
high	123 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-13900K	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	756 FPS	464 FPS
medium	658 FPS	387 FPS
high	529 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	474 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	635 FPS	397 FPS
medium	573 FPS	334 FPS
high	472 FPS	290 FPS
ultra	390 FPS	253 FPS
4K
low	355 FPS	263 FPS
medium	324 FPS	226 FPS
high	304 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	270 FPS	171 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-13900K	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	765 FPS	546 FPS
medium	628 FPS	473 FPS
high	545 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	468 FPS	358 FPS
1440p
low	683 FPS	508 FPS
medium	570 FPS	413 FPS
high	488 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	426 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	503 FPS	348 FPS
medium	441 FPS	292 FPS
high	394 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	336 FPS	199 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open Ryzen 5 5600X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-13900K	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	1034 FPS	546 FPS
medium	926 FPS	546 FPS
high	812 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	722 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	859 FPS	546 FPS
medium	757 FPS	546 FPS
high	663 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	582 FPS	524 FPS
4K
low	634 FPS	529 FPS
medium	568 FPS	484 FPS
high	503 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	379 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-13900K

The Core i9-13900K 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 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). 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: 58,373 points. Launch price was $589.

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 i9-13900K packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-13900K has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.7 GHz on the Core i9-13900K versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 21.4% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900K (base: 3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-13900K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900K scores 58,373 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 91.1% lead for the Core i9-13900K. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900K vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i9-13900K	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+300%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5.7 GHz+24%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.7 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)+13%	32 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	58,373+167%	21,845
Cinebench R23 Multi	40,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,985	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	19,967	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900K 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 i9-13900K versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Core i9-13900K supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13900K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13900K) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z790,Intel Z690 (Core i9-13900K) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i9-13900K	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	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i9-13900K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i9-13900K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900K targets Desktop, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-13900K	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-13900K launched at $599 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X debuted at $299. On MSRP ($599 vs $299), the Ryzen 5 5600X is $300 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900K delivers 97.5 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Core i9-13900K the 28.6% better value option.