CPU Showdown

Core i5-13600vsRyzen Threadripper 9980X

The Core i5-13600 is a sensible, everyday CPU for mainstream gamers and home builders, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a workstation monster for professionals who need massive multi-core throughput.

Intel Core i5-13600
14C / 20T · 65W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
64C / 128T · 350W
Intel

Core i5-13600

Raptor Lake-S · Intel 7 nm · 2023

19score
4.2/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
14 / 20
TDP
65W
Boost Clock
5.0 GHz
L3 Cache
24 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025

86score
3.9/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.4 GHz
L3 Cache
256 MB

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Aggregate Performance

Overall Performance Score

A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.

Core i5-13600
19
Ryzen Threadripper 9980XWinner
86
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X leads by 352.6% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#1EPYC 9755100
#2Ryzen Threadripper 9980X86
#3Ryzen Threadripper 7980X82
#95Core Ultra 5 235T19
#96Core i5-1360019
#97Ryzen 9 PRO 390019
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.

SpecsCore i5-13600Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
Cores
Total Cores1464
Threads20128
Base Clock2.7 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost Clock5.0 GHz5.4 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache17.5 MB64 MB
L3 Cache24 MB256 MB
Platform
PCIePCIe 5.0 and 4.0PCIe 5.0
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 770
Power
Base TDP65W350W
General
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Threadripper 9980X wins for raw multi-threaded work, but the Core i5-13600 is the smarter choice for most users due to its lower power draw and adequate speed.

Best value

The Core i5-13600 offers better value for everyday computing and gaming, while the Threadripper 9980X is overkill unless you need extreme multi-core power.

When the other wins

If you're building a compact, quiet office PC for browsing and light tasks, the Core i5-13600 is the right pick over the massive Threadripper.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i5-13600 better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (86 vs 19 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-13600 in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X than the Core i5-13600?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is roughly 353% faster than the Core i5-13600 overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i5-13600 or the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. If the Core i5-13600 is meaningfully cheaper where you shop, it can be the better value for similar real-world results — check current prices and the full spec comparison above before deciding.