Core i5-13600K vs Ryzen 7 5700U

Intel

Core i5-13600K

14 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2022

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5700U

8 Cores16 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2021

Popular choices:

i5-13600K

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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: +56.0% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +200% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FP6 and DDR4.
  • 66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Ryzen 7 5700U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 733.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 15W.

Ryzen 7 5700U

2021

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 125W, a 110W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (15,511 vs 37,655).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Older platform position on FP6 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Ryzen 7 5700U?
Yes. Core i5-13600K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 56.0% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data, 142.8% 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 i5-13600K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 56.0% 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 142.8% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 8 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 at an unclear MSRP at $329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 56.0% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FP6, 200% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 8 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i5-13600KRyzen 7 5700U
1080p
low281 FPS179 FPS
medium264 FPS147 FPS
high220 FPS119 FPS
ultra188 FPS96 FPS
1440p
low235 FPS152 FPS
medium198 FPS123 FPS
high158 FPS99 FPS
ultra138 FPS80 FPS
4K
low159 FPS82 FPS
medium133 FPS72 FPS
high102 FPS57 FPS
ultra90 FPS44 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-13600KRyzen 7 5700U
1080p
low632 FPS212 FPS
medium533 FPS179 FPS
high450 FPS164 FPS
ultra416 FPS144 FPS
1440p
low540 FPS185 FPS
medium474 FPS160 FPS
high403 FPS149 FPS
ultra351 FPS128 FPS
4K
low316 FPS150 FPS
medium282 FPS135 FPS
high269 FPS127 FPS
ultra238 FPS111 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-13600KRyzen 7 5700U
1080p
low663 FPS388 FPS
medium543 FPS388 FPS
high477 FPS388 FPS
ultra414 FPS388 FPS
1440p
low600 FPS388 FPS
medium499 FPS388 FPS
high434 FPS388 FPS
ultra376 FPS388 FPS
4K
low441 FPS388 FPS
medium381 FPS388 FPS
high344 FPS341 FPS
ultra295 FPS279 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-13600KRyzen 7 5700U
1080p
low941 FPS388 FPS
medium941 FPS388 FPS
high923 FPS388 FPS
ultra831 FPS388 FPS
1440p
low941 FPS388 FPS
medium850 FPS388 FPS
high738 FPS388 FPS
ultra651 FPS388 FPS
4K
low651 FPS388 FPS
medium588 FPS388 FPS
high529 FPS357 FPS
ultra437 FPS303 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Ryzen 7 5700U

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 5700U

The Ryzen 7 5700U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,511 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700U 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 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700U — a 17% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700U uses Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Ryzen 7 5700U's 15,511 — a 83.3% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700U.

FeatureCore i5-13600KRyzen 7 5700U
Cores / Threads
14 / 20+75%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5.1 GHz+19%
4.3 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz+94%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
24 MB+200%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)+300%
512K (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021)
PassMark
37,655+143%
15,511
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,600
Geekbench 6 Single
1,200
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700U uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus LPDDR4x-4267 on the Ryzen 7 5700U — the Core i5-13600K supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 12 (Ryzen 7 5700U) — the Core i5-13600K offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and SoC (Ryzen 7 5700U).

FeatureCore i5-13600KRyzen 7 5700U
Socket
LGA1700
FP6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600+25%
LPDDR4x-4267
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB+200%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
20+67%
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-13600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700U). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) and Radeon Graphics (8 CUs) (Ryzen 7 5700U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop, Ryzen 7 5700U targets Mainstream Laptop.

FeatureCore i5-13600KRyzen 7 5700U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 770
Radeon Graphics (8 CUs)
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
Mainstream Laptop