AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs Intel Core i5-13600K
The Intel Core i5-13600K is the better buy for most people - its 5.1 GHz boost speed crushes the AMD Ryzen 5 5500's 4.2 GHz. This means if you're gaming or doing productivity work, the i5-13600K will give you a noticeable performance edge. In real-world use, the i5-13600K's 14 cores and 20 threads make multitasking a breeze compared to the Ryzen 5 5500's 6 cores and 12 threads. The 44MB of total cache in the i5-13600K helps in gaming, providing snappier performance, especially in CPU-heavy games where every millisecond counts.
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AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Intel Core i5-13600K
Comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs Intel Core i5-13600K
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Intel Core i5-13600K
| Criterion | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | Intel Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(9,261)Amazon | ★4.7(1,388)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000 Series / Cezanne) | Raptor Lake (13th Gen Intel Core i5) |
Socket Platform | Socket AM4 (PGA 1331) | Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700) |
Cores Threads | 6 Cores / 12 Threads | 14 Cores (6P + 8E) / 20 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz Base / Up to 4.2 GHz Boost | P-Core: 3.5 / 5.1 GHz; E-Core: 2.6 / 3.9 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.1 GHz |
Cache L2 L3 | 3 MB L2 + 16 MB L3 (19 MB Total) | 20 MB L2 + 24 MB L3 (44 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 65 W | 125 W (Processor Base Power) |
Max Turbo Power | 88 W (PPT) | 181 W (Maximum Turbo Power) |
Process Node | TSMC 7nm FinFET (Monolithic Die) | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) |
Memory Support | DDR4-3200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 128 GB; ECC Support: No | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W680 chipset required) |
Memory Bandwidth Max | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~51.2 GB/s @ 3200 MT/s) | 89.6 GB/s (DDR5-5600) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0 (x16 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) |
Pcie Lanes | 24 Total (20 Usable: x16 Graphics, x4 NVMe) | 20 Total (16 CPU PCIe 5.0 + 4 CPU PCIe 4.0) |
Igpu | None (Discrete graphics card required) | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 300 – 1500 MHz) |
Instruction Features | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 | Intel 64, AVX2, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.1/4.2, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 |
Cooler Included | Yes (Wraith Stealth) | No (Air cooler with 180W+ TDP rating or 240mm AIO recommended) |
Max Temp | 90°C (194°F) TjMax | 100°C (212°F) TjMax |
Notes Limits | Based on 'Cezanne' silicon (disabled iGPU). Limited to PCIe 3.0 speed (slower than 5600/5600X). Smaller L3 cache (16MB) impacts gaming performance vs. standard Zen 3 (32MB). | Unlocked multiplier. Known as the 'value king' of 13th Gen for gaming. Performance is virtually identical to the 14600K (~2-5% difference). LGA1700 platform is end-of-life. |
Chipset Support | A520, B450, B550, X570, X470, X370, B350, A320 (BIOS update required) | Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required) |
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AMD Ryzen 5 5500
✓ Pros:
- • Most affordable 6-core Zen 3 processor available
- • Low power consumption and easy to cool (Wraith Stealth included)
- • Works on virtually any AM4 motherboard (A320 to X570)
✗ Cons:
- • PCIe 3.0 limitation restricts maximum speed of modern SSDs and GPUs
- • Half the L3 cache of the Ryzen 5 5600, resulting in lower gaming FPS
- • No integrated graphics
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Intel Core i5-13600K
✓ Pros:
- • Outstanding gaming and productivity performance for the price
- • Flexible memory support allows for budget builds with DDR4
- • Cheaper alternative to the 14600K with negligible performance loss
✗ Cons:
- • High power draw (up to 181W) compared to Ryzen 5 competitors
- • No stock cooler included; demands decent aftermarket cooling
- • LGA1700 platform has no future CPU upgrade path
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Which one is better?
The Intel Core i5-13600K is the better buy for most people - its 5.1 GHz boost speed crushes the AMD Ryzen 5 5500's 4.2 GHz. That said, grab the Ryzen 5 5500 if you want to save power with its 65W draw - it's perfect for budget builds.
Who should buy each?
Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 if: you want an affordable CPU for casual gaming, need low power consumption for a compact build, or you're on a tight budget.
Choose the Intel Core i5-13600K if: you want top-tier performance for gaming, need serious multitasking capabilities, or plan to use demanding applications.
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 excels if you value most affordable 6-core zen 3 processor available. Intel Core i5-13600K is better if you prioritize outstanding gaming and productivity performance for the price. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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