Intel Core i5-13490F vs Intel Core i9-10900K Comparison

The database compares the Intel Core i5-13490F and the Intel Core i9-10900K. Both are 10-core desktop parts, but they come from different generations and platforms. The i5-13490F is a Raptor Lake chip on Socket 1700 with 16 threads, while the i9-10900K is a Comet Lake chip on Socket 1200 with 20 threads. Across 23 head-to-head benchmarks, the i5 wins 16 and the i9 wins 7. Average scores are close: 28185 for the i5 versus 27872 for the i9, placing them at the 80th and 79th percentiles respectively.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900K has 20 threads, while the Intel Core i5-13490F has 16 threads. Both have 10 cores.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The i9-10900K boosts to 5.30 GHz, higher than the i5-13490F's 4.80 GHz. The i9 also has a higher base clock at 3.70 GHz versus 2.50 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The i5-13490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i9-10900K supports DDR4 only. The i9 lists a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-13490F scores 22747 versus 18895 for the i9-10900K, a 20.4% lead for the i5.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i9-10900K includes UHD Graphics 630. The i5-13490F has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The i9-10900K has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-13490F does not.

Architecture Differences

The two chips are built on different process nodes. The i5-13490F uses a 10 nm process, while the i9-10900K uses 14 nm. The i5 is Raptor Lake-S architecture, the i9 is Comet Lake. Sockets differ: the i5 uses Intel Socket 1700, the i9 uses Intel Socket 1200. Die sizes are close: 215 mm² for the i5, 206 mm² for the i9.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The i5 has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3. The i9 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The i5's larger per-core L2 and L3 give it a cache advantage.

Memory support diverges. The i5 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The i9 supports DDR4 only, also dual-channel, with a listed bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. PCIe also differs: the i5 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i9 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

The i9 includes UHD Graphics 630; the i5 has no integrated graphics. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier; the i5 is locked. TDP differs: 65 W for the i5, 125 W for the i9. The i5 was released on 2023-02-09 and is Active; the i9 was released on 2020-04-29 and is End-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to the i5-13490F for most compute-heavy workloads. It wins 16 of 23 head-to-head benchmarks. Its Cinebench leads are consistent: 20.4% ahead in R15, R20, and R23 multi-core, and 20.4% to 20.5% ahead in single-core across those same tests. It also leads in PassMark multithread by 18.3% and in PassMark single-thread by 23%. The i5 is the pick for rendering, encryption, physics, and prime-number workloads.

The i9-10900K retains advantages in specific areas. It has 20 threads versus 16, a higher boost clock at 5.30 GHz, and an unlocked multiplier. It wins in data compression by 12.5%, random string sorting by 26.6%, extended instructions by 15.4%, integer math by 2%, and 3DMark max-thread by 15.5%. It also includes integrated graphics. Users who need those specific workloads, or who want overclocking, may prefer the i9.

Average scores are nearly identical: 28185 for the i5, 27872 for the i9. The i5's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 at 28128, a 0.2% gap. The i9's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U at 27887, a 0.1% gap. The i5 also sits 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14500T and 0.5% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE, while trailing the Intel Core i9-11950H by 0.5%. The i9 trails the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D by 0.1% and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 by 0.2%, while leading the Intel Core i5-12600KF by 0.3%.

For a new build, the i5-13490F offers the newer platform, DDR5 support, and a much lower TDP at 65 W versus 125 W. The i9-10900K is end-of-life and limited to DDR4. The i5 is the stronger all-round choice from the recorded data.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i5-13490F | Intel Core i9-10900K |

|---|---|---|

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Comet Lake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die size | 215 mm² | 206 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 24 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 46.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | None | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2023-02-09 | 2020-04-29 |

| Launch MSRP | $235 | $547 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SRMC0 | SRH91 |

Both have 10 cores, dual-channel memory buses, no ECC support, and the Desktop market segment.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-13490F dominates the head-to-head record with 16 wins against 7 for the i9-10900K. The largest i5 win is in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 17902 versus 7796, a 129.6% lead. PassMark physics shows an 86.1% advantage (1915 versus 1029). PassMark find prime numbers goes to the i5 by 81% (114 versus 63). PassMark single-thread is 23% ahead (3828 versus 3113).

Cinebench results are uniformly in the i5's favor. R15 single-core: 323 versus 268, a 20.5% lead. R15 multi-core: 2292 versus 1904, 20.4%. R20 single-core: 1348 versus 1120, 20.4%. R20 multi-core: 9553 versus 7935, 20.4%. R23 single-core: 3211 versus 2667, 20.4%. R23 multi-core: 22747 versus 18895, 20.4%. PassMark multithread: 26569 versus 22452, 18.3%. 3DMark single-thread: 1002 versus 851, 17.7%. 3DMark 2-thread: 1959 versus 1688, 16.1%. PassMark floating point math: 60273 versus 53123, 13.5%. 3DMark 4-thread: 3552 versus 3313, 7.2%.

The i9-10900K's wins are concentrated in specific workloads. PassMark random string sorting: 46389 versus 34042, a 26.6% lead for the i9. 3DMark max-thread: 8938 versus 7550, 15.5%. PassMark extended instructions: 24620 versus 20837, 15.4%. PassMark data compression: 375336 versus 328397, 12.5%. 3DMark 16-thread: 8257 versus 7556, 8.5%. 3DMark 8-thread: 6221 versus 5731, 7.9%. PassMark integer math: 85404 versus 83723, 2%.

The pattern is clear. The i5 wins on single-thread and most multi-thread rendering workloads, plus encryption, physics, and prime finding. The i9 wins on compression, sorting, extended instructions, integer math, and the highest-thread-count 3DMark tests. The i9's 20 threads and higher boost clock help in those specific cases, but the i5's newer architecture and larger caches carry most benchmarks.