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Is Core i5-13600 good for gaming?

Last Updated on April 18, 2023
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Intel i5 is the most purchased Intel CPUs for gaming. The main characteristic of these CPUs is the value-per-performance balance. The i5-13600 was launched at $255 and is a fast CPU that will match the speed and power of the most gaming-suited GPUs.

The Intel i5-13600 is a good mid-range CPU for gaming, that will be suitable for most gaming titles. It can handle most games at reasonable settings and resolutions, but for more demanding games and high refresh rate monitors, a more powerful CPU may be needed. It also depends on the other components in your system and the specific games you want to play. In general, the i5-13600 is a good choice for casual or mid-level gaming.

If you’re planning to play at 1080p or 1440p, this CPU will come really handy. For the price, you’ll have a great performer capable of helping the GPU get the most FPS possible available. However, when it comes to 4K gaming the system starts asking for more CPU power and speed. There is an i5, even though a 13th gen will start to feel sluggish. However, for most gaming scenarios, is a great choice. Match with a strong GPU it can reach 200+ FPS in 1080p gaming.

Intel i5-13600: Specs

The Intel i5-13600 is part of Intel’s 13th generation of processors, known as the Raptor Lake generation. It has a socket type of Socket 1700, which means it is compatible with motherboards that support that socket.

The 13600 has 14 cores and 20 threads, with 6 cores being P-Cores (performance cores) and 8 cores being E-Cores (efficiency cores). This design allows for good performance and efficiency when handling different types of tasks.

DetailSpecs
GenerationRaptor Lake (13th gen)
SocketSocket 1700
Cores/threads14 / 20
Hybrid coresP-Cores: 6E-Cores: 8
Base clock speed2.7 GHz
Boost clock speed5.0 GHz
TDP65W
Cache L324MB
MSRP$255

The base clock speed of the i5-13600 is 2.7 GHz, with a boost clock speed of 5.0 GHz. This means that the CPU can run at a maximum clock speed of 5.0 GHz for short bursts of intensive tasks.

The TDP of the i5-13600 is 65W, which is relatively low compared to other CPUs. This makes it a good choice for systems with limited cooling capacity, but will also limit the capacity of the unit to get good clock speeds and to be overclocked.

Besides, the i5-13600 has 24MB of L3 cache, which is a large amount of cache that can be used to store frequently accessed data, improving performance. in conclusion, these specs make the CPU a great overall performer, and an MSRP of $255 is a bargain you can’t let slide through your fingers.

Kevin is the Editor of PC Guide. He has a broad interest and enthusiasm for consumer electronics, PCs and all things consumer tech - and more than 15 years experience in tech journalism.