Core i5-13600K vs Core i5-14600K

The Core i5-13600K and the Core i5-14600K perform about the same in games, within 4% in our estimates. Below: FPS in popular games, the specs side by side, and the graphics cards that suit each.

Updated · By Muhammad Muzammil

The short answer

In a typical one of 8 popular games at 1080p High with an RTX 5090, the Core i5-13600K gets about 159 FPS and the Core i5-14600K about 164 FPS. With a slower graphics card, or at 1440p and 4K, the card sets the FPS more often and the gap gets smaller.

Both use the LGA1700 socket. Both take DDR4/DDR5 memory. Cores and threads: 14 / 20 on the Core i5-13600K, 14 / 20 on the Core i5-14600K. Neither comes with a cooler, so budget for one.

Core i5-13600K vs Core i5-14600K: FPS in popular games

Estimated FPS at 1080p High with 32 GB RAM (Core i5-13600K / Core i5-14600K in each column). With an RTX 5090, the processor sets the frame rate wherever it can. Values above 500 show as 500+. See FPS for your own PC.

GameRTX 5090RTX 5060
Counter-Strike 2366 / 376305 / 305
Valorant402 / 413402 / 413
Fortnite175 / 180164 / 164
Apex Legends161 / 165161 / 165
Marvel Rivals124 / 12889 / 89
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6159 / 164110 / 110
Cyberpunk 2077129 / 132104 / 104
Baldur's Gate 3130 / 134130 / 134

With a mid-range graphics card such as an RTX 5060, the card sets the frame rate in more games, so the difference between the two processors is smaller.

Estimated FPS. Numbers come from the FPSVibe model, not measured benchmarks. How we estimate

Specs side by side

SpecCore i5-13600KCore i5-14600K
Cores / threads14 / 2014 / 20
Boost clockup to 5.1 GHzup to 5.3 GHz
L3 cache24 MB24 MB
SocketLGA1700LGA1700
MemoryDDR5-5600 / DDR4-3200DDR5-5600 / DDR4-3200
Integrated graphicsIntel UHD 770Intel UHD 770
Cooler in the boxNot includedNot included
Power (TDP)125 W125 W
Launch year20222023
Gaming index (est.)73.175.1

Gaming index: estimated CPU-bound gaming performance at 1080p, Ryzen 7 9800X3D = 100. Memory and box cooler as listed on AMD and Intel product pages; where we couldn't confirm a value there, check the manufacturer's page.

Graphics cards that pair well with the Core i5-13600K

Graphics cards that pair well with the Core i5-14600K

Core i5-13600K vs Core i5-14600K FAQs

Is the Core i5-13600K better than the Core i5-14600K for gaming?

The Core i5-13600K and the Core i5-14600K perform about the same in games, within 4% in our estimates. In a typical one of 8 popular games at 1080p High with an RTX 5090, the Core i5-13600K gets about 159 FPS and the Core i5-14600K about 164 FPS.

Core i5-13600K or Core i5-14600K: which gets more FPS in Counter-Strike 2?

With an RTX 5090 at 1080p High, the Core i5-13600K gets about 366 FPS and the Core i5-14600K about 376 FPS in our estimates.

Do the Core i5-13600K and Core i5-14600K use the same motherboard?

Yes. Both use the LGA1700 socket, so the same motherboard can take either (it may need a BIOS update first).

Do the Core i5-13600K and Core i5-14600K come with a cooler?

No. Neither comes with a cooler in the box, so you need to buy one.

Do the Core i5-13600K and Core i5-14600K have integrated graphics?

Yes. The Core i5-13600K has Intel UHD 770 and the Core i5-14600K has Intel UHD 770: enough for a display and light games, not for new games at good settings.

What graphics card should I pair with the Core i5-13600K or the Core i5-14600K?

Balanced picks in our estimates: for the Core i5-13600K, RX 9070, RTX 5070, RX 9070 GRE, RTX 5060 Ti 16GB; for the Core i5-14600K, RX 9070, RTX 5070, RX 9070 GRE, RTX 5060 Ti 16GB.