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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerIntel Core i5-13600K vs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Time to compare Intel Core i5-13600K with AMD Ryzen 9 9950X. We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
Ratings: 4.7★ vs 4.7★
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Intel Core i5-13600K
★4.7
(1,388)•Amazon
Architecture Gen:Raptor Lake (13th Gen Intel Core i5)
Socket Platform:Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700)
Cores Threads:14 Cores (6P + 8E) / 20 Threads
Base Boost Clock:P-Core: 3.5 / 5.1 GHz; E-Core: 2.6 / 3.9 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.1 GHz
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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
★4.7
(892)•Amazon
Architecture Gen:Zen 5 (Ryzen 9000 Series)
Socket Platform:Socket AM5 (LGA 1718)
Cores Threads:16 Cores / 32 Threads
Base Boost Clock:4.3 GHz Base / Up to 5.7 GHz Boost
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Comparison: Intel Core i5-13600K vs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Intel Core i5-13600K
★4.7(1,388)Amazon
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
★4.7(892)Amazon
| Criterion | Intel Core i5-13600K | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(1,388)Amazon | ★4.7(892)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Raptor Lake (13th Gen Intel Core i5) | Zen 5 (Ryzen 9000 Series) |
Socket Platform | Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700) | Socket AM5 (LGA 1718) |
Cores Threads | 14 Cores (6P + 8E) / 20 Threads | 16 Cores / 32 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | P-Core: 3.5 / 5.1 GHz; E-Core: 2.6 / 3.9 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.1 GHz | 4.3 GHz Base / Up to 5.7 GHz Boost |
Cache L2 L3 | 20 MB L2 + 24 MB L3 (44 MB Total) | 16 MB L2 + 64 MB L3 (80 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 125 W (Processor Base Power) | 170 W |
Max Turbo Power | 181 W (Maximum Turbo Power) | 230 W (PPT) |
Process Node | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) | TSMC 4nm FinFET (Core Complex) / 6nm (I/O Die) |
Memory Support | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W680 chipset required) | DDR5-5600 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support |
Memory Bandwidth Max | 89.6 GB/s (DDR5-5600) | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~89.6 GB/s @ 5600 MT/s) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 5.0 (x16 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) | PCIe 5.0 |
Pcie Lanes | 20 Total (16 CPU PCIe 5.0 + 4 CPU PCIe 4.0) | 28 Total (24 Usable for Graphics/Storage) |
Igpu | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 300 – 1500 MHz) | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 Cores, 2200 MHz) |
Instruction Features | Intel 64, AVX2, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.1/4.2, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512 (Full 512-bit datapath), FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 |
Cooler Included | No (Air cooler with 180W+ TDP rating or 240mm AIO recommended) | No (Liquid cooler recommended) |
Max Temp | 100°C (212°F) TjMax | 95°C (203°F) TjMax |
Notes Limits | 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. | Flagship Zen 5 CPU designed to run at 95°C under load for maximum performance boost. Features full 512-bit AVX-512 support for AI/HPC workloads. Requires robust cooling (360mm AIO recommended). |
Chipset Support | Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required) | A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870, X870E |
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Intel Core i5-13600K
Rating:★4.7(1,388)Amazon
Architecture Gen:Raptor Lake (13th Gen Intel Core i5)
Socket Platform:Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700)
Cores Threads:14 Cores (6P + 8E) / 20 Threads
Base Boost Clock:P-Core: 3.5 / 5.1 GHz; E-Core: 2.6 / 3.9 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.1 GHz
Cache L2 L3:20 MB L2 + 24 MB L3 (44 MB Total)
TDP Power:125 W (Processor Base Power)
Max Turbo Power:181 W (Maximum Turbo Power)
Process Node:Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin)
Memory Support:DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W680 chipset required)
Memory Bandwidth Max:89.6 GB/s (DDR5-5600)
Pcie Version:PCIe 5.0 (x16 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes)
Pcie Lanes:20 Total (16 CPU PCIe 5.0 + 4 CPU PCIe 4.0)
Igpu:Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 300 – 1500 MHz)
Instruction Features:Intel 64, AVX2, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.1/4.2, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0
Cooler Included:No (Air cooler with 180W+ TDP rating or 240mm AIO recommended)
Max Temp:100°C (212°F) TjMax
Notes Limits: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:Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required)
✓ 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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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Rating:★4.7(892)Amazon
Architecture Gen:Zen 5 (Ryzen 9000 Series)
Socket Platform:Socket AM5 (LGA 1718)
Cores Threads:16 Cores / 32 Threads
Base Boost Clock:4.3 GHz Base / Up to 5.7 GHz Boost
Cache L2 L3:16 MB L2 + 64 MB L3 (80 MB Total)
TDP Power:170 W
Max Turbo Power:230 W (PPT)
Process Node:TSMC 4nm FinFET (Core Complex) / 6nm (I/O Die)
Memory Support:DDR5-5600 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support
Memory Bandwidth Max:N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~89.6 GB/s @ 5600 MT/s)
Pcie Version:PCIe 5.0
Pcie Lanes:28 Total (24 Usable for Graphics/Storage)
Igpu:AMD Radeon Graphics (2 Cores, 2200 MHz)
Instruction Features:AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512 (Full 512-bit datapath), FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2
Cooler Included:No (Liquid cooler recommended)
Max Temp:95°C (203°F) TjMax
Notes Limits:Flagship Zen 5 CPU designed to run at 95°C under load for maximum performance boost. Features full 512-bit AVX-512 support for AI/HPC workloads. Requires robust cooling (360mm AIO recommended).
Chipset Support:A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870, X870E
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading multi-core productivity performance
- • Improved AVX-512 performance (full 512-bit path) for AI/workstation tasks
- • Stronger single-core performance and efficiency vs. 7950X
✗ Cons:
- • High thermal output (designed to push to 95°C)
- • Expensive; value proposition lower for pure gaming vs. X3D models
- • No cooler included
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Which one is better?
Intel Core i5-13600K is stronger in overall satisfaction, but AMD Ryzen 9 9950X could still be the better pick if you value its unique advantages.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Intel Core i5-13600K suits buyers who need Outstanding gaming and productivity performance for the price, Flexible memory support allows for budget builds with DDR4
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X suits buyers who want Class-leading multi-core productivity performance, Improved AVX-512 performance (full 512-bit path) for AI/workstation tasks
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?
Intel Core i5-13600K excels if you value outstanding gaming and productivity performance for the price. AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is better if you prioritize class-leading multi-core productivity performance. 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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