Intel Core i5-13500E vs Intel Core i9-9940X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clean sweep for the Intel Core i9-9940X across every single Cinebench test in the comparison. The margin is consistent: the i9-9940X leads by exactly 4.6% in all six head-to-head tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-9940X scores 2400 against the i5-13500E’s 2295. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern, with the i9-9940X at 338 and the i5-13500E at 323. This uniformity suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-dependent.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i9-9940X posts 10000 multi-core and 1411 single-core, while the i5-13500E manages 9564 and 1349 respectively. The delta remains locked at 4.6%. The same story unfolds in Cinebench R23, where the i9-9940X reaches 23810 multi-core and 3361 single-core, versus 22772 and 3214 for the i5-13500E. Notably, the i5-13500E has no Geekbench result in the data, so the comparison is limited to Cinebench iterations.

The average benchmark score reinforces the picture: the i9-9940X averages 6657, while the i5-13500E averages 6586. That is a difference of roughly 1.1% in aggregate, but the head-to-head deltas are larger because they isolate the same workloads. The i9-9940X’s wins are not concentrated in one test type; they appear across all three Cinebench versions and both single- and multi-threaded modes. There are no tests where the i5-13500E pulls ahead, making the outcome unambiguous.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-9940X wins everywhere the data allows a direct comparison. It is ahead by 4.6% in multi-core workloads, which is the more important metric for rendering, compilation, and other parallel tasks. Its single-core advantage is identical at 4.6%, meaning the older Skylake-X design holds its own even in lightly threaded scenarios. For users prioritizing Cinebench performance specifically, the i9-9940X is the clear choice.

The i5-13500E, however, has merits that are not captured in these benchmark scores. It supports DDR5 memory in addition to DDR4, whereas the i9-9940X is limited to DDR4. It also includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), which the i9-9940X lacks entirely. The i5-13500E supports ECC memory, a feature not present on the i9-9940X. Its PCIe implementation is Gen 5 with 16 lanes, compared to Gen 3 with 44 lanes on the i9-9940X. For systems that need a GPU for diagnostics or a headless setup, or for memory flexibility, the i5-13500E has advantages that benchmarks do not quantify.

The production status also differs: the i9-9940X is end-of-life, while the i5-13500E is active. That matters for long-term availability and platform support, even if it does not affect raw scores. The i5-13500E also has a lower TDP (65 versus 165), which implies easier cooling and lower system power draw, though the data does not provide wattage figures.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is substantial. The i9-9940X uses the Skylake-X architecture on a 14 nm process, with a die size of 484 mm². It has 14 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 only, running on a quad-channel bus with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. It lacks ECC support and integrated graphics. The i9-9940X uses Intel Socket 2066 and offers PCIe Gen 3 with 44 lanes.

The i5-13500E is built on Raptor Lake-S, a 10 nm architecture with a die size of 215 mm². It also has 14 cores but only 20 threads, indicating a hybrid design with performance and efficiency cores, though the data does not specify the mix. Its base clock is 2.40 GHz and boost clock is 4.60 GHz. Cache sizes are larger in some respects: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Memory support spans both DDR4 and DDR5, but the memory bus is dual-channel, and no bandwidth figure is provided. ECC is supported, and integrated graphics are present as UHD Graphics 770. The socket is Intel Socket 1700, with PCIe Gen 5 and 16 lanes.

The i9-9940X is unlocked for overclocking, while the i5-13500E is locked. The foundry is Intel for both. The i9-9940X has a larger die, which is consistent with its older, less dense process node. The i5-13500E’s smaller die and newer node likely contribute to its lower TDP and active production status. The i9-9940X’s quad-channel memory provides a bandwidth advantage on paper, but the i5-13500E’s support for DDR5 could offset that in practice, depending on the modules used.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i9-9940X scores 23810, which is 4.6% higher than the i5-13500E’s 22772.

Q: Does the i5-13500E support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, the i5-13500E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i9-9940X only supports DDR4.

Q: Are both CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The i9-9940X has an unlocked multiplier, but the i5-13500E is locked.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores between the two?

A: The i9-9940X averages 6657, while the i5-13500E averages 6586. The i9-9940X’s nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X, has an average score of 6647, placing the i9-9940X within 0.1% of that competitor.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i5-13500E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770). The i9-9940X has no integrated GPU.

Q: How do their TDP ratings compare?

A: The i9-9940X has a TDP of 165, while the i5-13500E has a TDP of 65.

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal: the Intel Core i9-9940X outperforms the i5-13500E in every benchmark test recorded. The 4.6% lead in both single- and multi-core Cinebench scores is consistent and reproducible across R15, R20, and R23. Its average benchmark score of 6657 also places it in the 62nd percentile of all CPUs, the same percentile as the i5-13500E, but with a higher absolute value. For any workload that relies on Cinebench-style rendering or CPU compute, the i9-9940X is the superior part.

However, the i5-13500E is not without reason for selection. It is the only one of the two with integrated graphics, ECC memory support, and DDR5 compatibility. It also has a significantly lower TDP (65 versus 165), which suggests simpler cooling and lower operating costs. The i5-13500E is an active product, while the i9-9940X is end-of-life. Its PCIe Gen 5 interface offers newer connectivity, even if the lane count is lower.

The choice depends on priorities. If raw Cinebench performance is the sole criterion, the i9-9940X wins outright. If system flexibility, modern memory support, integrated graphics, and energy efficiency matter more, the i5-13500E is the practical pick. The i9-9940X’s launch MSRP was $1387, but no such figure is provided for the i5-13500E, so a direct cost comparison is not possible from this data. The i9-9940X’s unlocked multiplier and quad-channel memory make it a workstation-oriented part, while the i5-13500E’s feature set aligns more with mainstream desktop builds. Neither CPU dominates the other across all dimensions; the benchmark results simply favor the i9-9940X by a narrow but uniform margin.