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Core i9-13900KS — 24C/32T · 6.0 GHz · 150 W · PassMark #170
Intel

Core i9-13900KS

24C/32T · 6.0 GHz · 150 W · PassMark #170

33
/ 100
From $521
VS
Core i5-14600K wins by 54
Core i5-14600K — Raptor Lake Refresh · 14C · 5.3 GHz · $319
Intel

Core i5-14600K

Raptor Lake Refresh · 14C · 5.3 GHz · $319

87
/ 100
From $319
Specdex verdict

Core i5-14600K takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Core i9-13900KS lands at 33 and Core i5-14600K at 87. That puts Core i5-14600K ahead by 54 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Core i9-13900KS if…

  • ✓PassMark #170 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
  • ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $521

Pick Core i5-14600K if…

  • ✓Strong gaming performance
  • ✓Good productivity for price
  • ✓DDR4 and DDR5 compatible
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Value for money

Core i5-14600K

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Core i5-14600K more score per dollar ($319 vs $521).

Core i9-13900KS 33
vs
87 Core i5-14600K

Score breakdown

Core i9-13900KS
33
cpu 33
passmark 60485
single 0
multi 0
gaming 0
efficiency 0
Core i5-14600K
87
cpu 0
passmark 0
single 90
multi 86
gaming 92
efficiency 78

Specs side-by-side

Core i9-13900KS versus Core i5-14600K — full spec comparison
Spec Core i9-13900KS Core i5-14600K
Cores
▲ 24 (8P + 16E)
14 (6P+8E)
Threads
▲ 32
20
Base clock
3.2 GHz (P) / 2.4 GHz (E)
—
Boost clock
6.0 GHz
5.3 GHz
L3 cache
36 MB
—
TDP
150 W base / 253 W max
125 W
Socket
LGA 1700
LGA1700
Class
Desktop
—
PassMark rank
#170 of 5,901
—
PassMark CPU Mark
60,485
—

Core i9-13900KS

Pros
  • +PassMark #170 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
  • +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $521
Cons
  • −Requires recent-generation motherboard and DDR5 memory
  • −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings

Core i5-14600K

Pros
  • +Strong gaming performance
  • +Good productivity for price
  • +DDR4 and DDR5 compatible
Cons
  • −Last-gen LGA1700 socket
  • −Power hungry under load
  • −No AI instructions

FAQ: Core i9-13900KS vs Core i5-14600K

Which is better, Core i9-13900KS or Core i5-14600K? +

Core i5-14600K scores 87 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 54. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Core i9-13900KS worth the price? +

At $521, Core i9-13900KS delivers a Specdex score of 33 — strongest in passmark.

Is Core i5-14600K worth the price? +

At $319, Core i5-14600K delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in gaming.

Does Core i9-13900KS or Core i5-14600K last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is the better value, Core i9-13900KS or Core i5-14600K? +

Core i5-14600K — more score per dollar ($319 vs $521). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.