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 i5-13600

2023

Why buy it

✅+16.4% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $15 less on MSRP ($255 MSRP vs $270 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 7 8700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8700F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Ryzen 7 8700F

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +30.7% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,040 vs 21,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌
5.9% HIGHER MSRP
$270 MSRPvs$255 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-13600

2023

Ryzen 7 8700F

2024

Why buy it

✅+16.4% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $15 less on MSRP ($255 MSRP vs $270 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 7 8700F needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +30.7% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8700F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,040 vs 21,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌
5.9% HIGHER MSRP
$270 MSRPvs$255 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600 better than Ryzen 7 8700F?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen 7 8700F is ahead with a 30.7% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600 pulls ahead with 16.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-13600 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600 is the better fit. You are getting 16.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Core i5-13600 is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13600 is $15 cheaper on MSRP at $255 MSRP versus $270 MSRP, and it gives you 16.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The trade-off is that Ryzen 7 8700F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 30.7% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6.8% better value on MSRP (123.5 vs 115.7 PassMark/$), 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 AM5 + DDR5 setup, Ryzen 7 8700F is still an elite gaming CPU and a very strong platform-matched choice because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap while remaining one of the strongest gaming chips you can buy.

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

Ryzen 7 8700F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023). 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 i5-13600 Benchmark Check

Ryzen 7 8700F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600	Ryzen 7 8700F
1080p
low	260 FPS	266 FPS
medium	250 FPS	240 FPS
high	208 FPS	206 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	233 FPS
medium	191 FPS	190 FPS
high	153 FPS	158 FPS
ultra	135 FPS	138 FPS
4K
low	154 FPS	158 FPS
medium	131 FPS	131 FPS
high	101 FPS	102 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	88 FPS

Open Core i5-13600 Open Ryzen 7 8700F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600	Ryzen 7 8700F
1080p
low	609 FPS	483 FPS
medium	518 FPS	403 FPS
high	440 FPS	347 FPS
ultra	402 FPS	308 FPS
1440p
low	525 FPS	423 FPS
medium	465 FPS	374 FPS
high	396 FPS	322 FPS
ultra	341 FPS	273 FPS
4K
low	309 FPS	283 FPS
medium	277 FPS	259 FPS
high	263 FPS	244 FPS
ultra	231 FPS	209 FPS

Open Core i5-13600 Open Ryzen 7 8700F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600	Ryzen 7 8700F
1080p
low	648 FPS	781 FPS
medium	527 FPS	781 FPS
high	467 FPS	767 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	649 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	766 FPS
medium	486 FPS	629 FPS
high	425 FPS	544 FPS
ultra	370 FPS	463 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	530 FPS
medium	373 FPS	457 FPS
high	334 FPS	402 FPS
ultra	285 FPS	338 FPS

Open Core i5-13600 Open Ryzen 7 8700F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600	Ryzen 7 8700F
1080p
low	787 FPS	781 FPS
medium	787 FPS	781 FPS
high	726 FPS	781 FPS
ultra	645 FPS	781 FPS
1440p
low	787 FPS	781 FPS
medium	702 FPS	781 FPS
high	608 FPS	692 FPS
ultra	529 FPS	602 FPS
4K
low	555 FPS	615 FPS
medium	504 FPS	553 FPS
high	449 FPS	495 FPS
ultra	390 FPS	431 FPS

Open Core i5-13600 Open Ryzen 7 8700F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600 and Ryzen 7 8700F

Core i5-13600

The Core i5-13600 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 31,499 points. Launch price was $255.

Ryzen 7 8700F

The Ryzen 7 8700F is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,240 points. Launch price was $270.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600 packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8700F offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13600 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i5-13600 versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 8700F — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i5-13600 uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 8700F uses Phoenix (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600 scores 31,499 against the Ryzen 7 8700F's 31,240 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-13600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,000 vs 18,040 (15.2% advantage for the Core i5-13600). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,900 vs 2,649, a 32.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 8700F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,000 vs 13,500 (11.8% advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700F). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13600 vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8700F.

Feature	Core i5-13600	Ryzen 7 8700F
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	4.1 GHz+52%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+50%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Phoenix (2023−2024)
PassMark	31,499	31,240
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,000+16%	18,040
Geekbench 6 Single	1,900	2,649+39%
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,000	13,500+13%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 8700F uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Ryzen 7 8700F supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i5-13600) and XB650,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 8700F).

Feature	Core i5-13600	Ryzen 7 8700F
Socket	LGA1700	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	256 GB+33%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 8700F has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 7 8700F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13600) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 8700F). The Core i5-13600 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 7 8700F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600 targets High-end Productivity Desktop, Ryzen 7 8700F targets High-performance Gaming w/ dGPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-13600 rivals Ryzen 7 7700; Ryzen 7 8700F rivals Core i7-14700F.

Feature	Core i5-13600	Ryzen 7 8700F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	High-end Productivity Desktop	High-performance Gaming w/ dGPU

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600 launched at $255 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 8700F debuted at $270. On MSRP ($255 vs $270), the Core i5-13600 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600 delivers 123.5 pts/$ vs 115.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 8700F — making the Core i5-13600 the 6.5% better value option.