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 i9-13900T

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +26.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
83.6% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$299 MSRP

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $250 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 42,735).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-13900T

2023

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +26.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Costs $250 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
83.6% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$299 MSRP

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 42,735).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i9-13900T is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 26.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 95.6% 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 i9-13900T is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 26.7% 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 i9-13900T is the better fit. You are getting 95.6% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads.

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

Core i9-13900T is the smarter buy today. Core i9-13900T is 83.6% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it gives you a 26.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6.5% better value on MSRP (77.8 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13900T 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 i9-13900T Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-13900T	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	321 FPS	203 FPS
medium	311 FPS	174 FPS
high	247 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	209 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	278 FPS	169 FPS
medium	240 FPS	141 FPS
high	178 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	158 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	192 FPS	85 FPS
medium	164 FPS	76 FPS
high	123 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core i9-13900T Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-13900T	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	401 FPS	464 FPS
medium	350 FPS	387 FPS
high	286 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	252 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	341 FPS	397 FPS
medium	306 FPS	334 FPS
high	255 FPS	290 FPS
ultra	207 FPS	253 FPS
4K
low	191 FPS	263 FPS
medium	174 FPS	226 FPS
high	166 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	171 FPS

Open Core i9-13900T Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-13900T	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	761 FPS	546 FPS
medium	625 FPS	473 FPS
high	542 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	466 FPS	358 FPS
1440p
low	677 FPS	508 FPS
medium	565 FPS	413 FPS
high	483 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	421 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	495 FPS	348 FPS
medium	428 FPS	292 FPS
high	381 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	328 FPS	199 FPS

Open Core i9-13900T Open Ryzen 5 5600X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-13900T	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	1004 FPS	546 FPS
medium	897 FPS	546 FPS
high	785 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	698 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	833 FPS	546 FPS
medium	733 FPS	546 FPS
high	640 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	562 FPS	524 FPS
4K
low	615 FPS	529 FPS
medium	550 FPS	484 FPS
high	487 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	426 FPS	379 FPS

Open Core i9-13900T Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-13900T

The Core i9-13900T 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 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 42,735 points. Launch price was $549.

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 i9-13900T packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-13900T has 18 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core i9-13900T versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900T (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-13900T uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900T scores 42,735 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 64.7% lead for the Core i9-13900T. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900T vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i9-13900T	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+300%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+15%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+236%
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-S (2023−2024)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	42,735+96%	21,845

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900T 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 5600 on the Core i9-13900T versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Core i9-13900T supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13900T supports up to 192 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13900T) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Raptor Lake-HX (Core i9-13900T) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i9-13900T	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	5600+139900%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192	128 GB+69904967%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-13900T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13900T) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i9-13900T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i9-13900T rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX.

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

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-13900T launched at $549 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X debuted at $299. On MSRP ($549 vs $299), the Ryzen 5 5600X is $250 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900T delivers 77.8 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Core i9-13900T the 6.3% better value option.