Intel Core i3-13100E vs Intel Core i5-11600T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear split between these two processors. The Intel Core i5-11600T wins six of the eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i3-13100E takes the remaining two. The decisive factor is workload type: the older Rocket Lake chip dominates in Cinebench tests, while the newer Raptor Lake part wins decisively in Geekbench.

In the Cinebench suite, the i5-11600T is consistently ahead by nearly identical margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 1248 against the i3's 1180, a 5.8% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows the i5 at 176 versus 166, a 6% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5 posts 5201 multi-core and 734 single-core, while the i3 manages 4918 and 694 respectively, again a 5.8% delta on both. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: 12385 versus 11710 multi-core (5.8% ahead) and 1748 versus 1653 single-core (5.7% ahead). Across the entire Cinebench family, the margin is remarkably stable, hovering between 5.7% and 6%. This consistency suggests the i5-11600T's extra two physical cores and four threads provide a structural advantage that the newer architecture cannot overcome in this rendering workload.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-13100E scores 7025 against the i5's 6653, a 5.3% victory. The single-core gap is even larger: 2001 versus 1791, which translates to a 10.5% lead for the i3. These are substantial margins, particularly in single-core performance where the i3's higher boost clock and newer microarchitecture clearly matter. The 10.5% single-core delta is the largest performance difference recorded in either direction across all eight tests.

Interpreting the full picture, the i5-11600T wins on raw throughput in Cinebench, but the i3-13100E demonstrates superior per-thread efficiency in Geekbench. The average benchmark scores reflect this mixed outcome: the i5 has an average of 3742, while the i3 sits at 3668. Both processors occupy the 56th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they perform at essentially the same overall level despite their differing strengths. The i5's nearest rival, the Intel Xeon Silver 4116, sits just 0.2% behind with an average score of 3733, while the i3's closest competitor, the AMD EPYC 7251, is 0.1% behind at 3671. These rival deltas are small, but they contextualize the two chips as nearly equal performers in the broader landscape.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is significant, spanning multiple generations and design philosophies. The i5-11600T is built on Rocket Lake, Intel's 14 nm process, with a die size of 276 mm². The i3-13100E uses Raptor Lake on a 10 nm node, with a much smaller 163 mm² die. This process shrink explains much of the efficiency and frequency advantage seen in the i3's benchmarks, even though the i5 is the higher-tier product.

Core counts differ notably. The i5-11600T provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i3-13100E offers 4 cores and 8 threads. This two-core, four-thread deficit is the primary reason the i3 cannot match the i5 in multi-threaded Cinebench tests. However, the i3 compensates with substantially higher clock speeds. Its base clock runs at 3.30 GHz and boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the i5 operates at 1.70 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. The i3's 300 MHz boost advantage, combined with the newer architecture, drives its 10.5% single-core Geekbench win.

Cache configurations show both similarities and differences. Both chips share 12 MB of L3 cache, and both have 80 KB of L1 per core. The L2 cache, however, diverges sharply: the i5 has 512 KB per core, while the i3 has 1.25 MB per core. This larger per-core L2 cache on the i3 likely contributes to its superior single-threaded responsiveness in latency-sensitive workloads.

Memory support also differs. The i5-11600T supports only DDR4, while the i3-13100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The i5's memory bandwidth is recorded at 51.2 GB/s, while the i3's bandwidth is not specified in the database. ECC memory support is another differentiator: the i3 supports ECC, while the i5 does not. This makes the i3 more suitable for error-sensitive environments, despite its lower core count.

PCIe capabilities favor the newer chip. The i5 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, whereas the i3 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The i3 also integrates a different graphics unit, the UHD Graphics 730, compared to the i5's UHD Graphics 750. Both are capable integrated solutions, but the i5's version carries a higher model number.

Production status and platform support further separate these parts. The i5-11600T is end-of-life, released in March 2021, and uses Intel Socket 1200. The i3-13100E is active, released in January 2023, and uses Intel Socket 1700. This means the i3 is a current-generation option with ongoing availability, while the i5 is a legacy part. The i5's launch MSRP was $213, while the i3's launch MSRP was $480, though pricing is not the focus of this analysis.

The Verdict

The data supports a workload-based recommendation. For users prioritizing multi-threaded rendering performance in Cinebench-class workloads, the i5-11600T is the stronger choice. It leads by 5.8% in R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, and its 6-core, 12-thread configuration provides a tangible throughput advantage that the i3 cannot match. The i5 also wins every single-core Cinebench test, albeit by smaller margins around 5.7% to 6%.

For users prioritizing single-threaded speed and modern platform features, the i3-13100E is the better fit. Its 10.5% Geekbench single-core victory and 5.3% multi-core Geekbench win demonstrate superior per-thread performance and architectural efficiency. The i3 also offers DDR5 support, ECC memory, PCIe Gen 5, and an active production status, making it a forward-looking choice for new builds on Socket 1700.

The average benchmark scores are close: 3742 for the i5 versus 3668 for the i3, a difference of roughly 2%. Both sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are equally positioned in the overall performance hierarchy. The i5's nearest rival, the Xeon Silver 4116, is within 0.2%, while the i3's nearest rival, the EPYC 7251, is within 0.1%. Neither chip dominates the other in absolute terms; they excel in different domains.

The i5-11600T is the pick for legacy platforms and multi-threaded rendering tasks. The i3-13100E is the pick for new systems, single-threaded responsiveness, and feature-rich environments. The choice hinges on whether the user values the i5's two extra cores or the i3's architectural recency and platform longevity.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 6 (i5-11600T) versus 4 (i3-13100E)
• Threads: 12 versus 8
• Base Clock: 1.70 GHz versus 3.30 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.10 GHz versus 4.40 GHz
• TDP: 35 W versus 60 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1200 versus Intel Socket 1700
• Architecture: Rocket Lake versus Raptor Lake
• Process Node: 14 nm versus 10 nm
• Die Size: 276 mm² versus 163 mm²
• L2 Cache: 512 KB per core versus 1.25 MB per core
• Memory Support: DDR4 only versus DDR4 and DDR5
• Memory Bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s versus not specified
• ECC Memory: Not supported versus supported
• PCIe: Gen 4, 20 lanes versus Gen 5, 16 lanes
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 750 versus UHD Graphics 730
• Production Status: End-of-life versus Active
• Release Date: March 2021 versus January 2023
• Launch MSRP: $213 versus $480
• Part Number: SRKNX versus SRMFR

Fields that are identical include L1 cache (80 KB per core), L3 cache (12 MB shared), memory bus (dual-channel), market segment (desktop), and unlocked multiplier (false for both).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i5-11600T wins six of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, including all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, both single and multi-core). The Intel Core i3-13100E wins the remaining two Geekbench tests.

Q: How large is the i5-11600T's advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5 scores 12385 against the i3's 11710, a 5.8% lead. This is consistent with the margins seen in Cinebench R15 (5.8%) and R20 (5.8%) multi-core tests.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap recorded between these two chips?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the i3-13100E scores 2001 versus the i5's 1791, a 10.5% advantage for the i3. This is nearly double the i5's largest winning margin of 6%.

Q: Do both processors have the same amount of L3 cache?

A: Yes, both have 12 MB of shared L3 cache. They also share the same 80 KB per core L1 cache. The L2 cache differs, with the i3 offering 1.25 MB per core versus 512 KB per core on the i5.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-13100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Intel Core i5-11600T supports only DDR4. The i3 also supports ECC memory, which the i5 does not.

Q: How do the two chips compare in overall average benchmark score and percentile?

A: The i5-11600T has an average benchmark score of 3742, while the i3-13100E has an average of 3668. Both sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating nearly equal overall standing.