Intel Core i5-14600 vs Intel Core i9-13900HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14600 has 14 cores and 20 threads. The i9-13900HX leads by 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do their single-core Cinebench R23 scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600 scores 4300 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 52.2% higher than the i9-13900HX's 2056. This is the largest single-test margin in the entire comparison.

Q: Which chip wins in multi-threaded Cinebench R20?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900HX leads with a score of 14836 versus 12794 for the i5-14600, a 16% advantage. However, the i5-14600 flips the result in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 30464 against 27900, an 8.4% win for the desktop part.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The i9-13900HX has an average benchmark score of 46098, while the i5-14600 averages 44889. The i9-13900HX is about 2.7% ahead on average, and both processors sit at the 89th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Do both chips support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-13900HX and the Intel Core i5-14600 support ECC memory. Both also support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What are the launch MSRPs?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900HX has a launch MSRP of $668, while the Intel Core i5-14600 has a launch MSRP of $255.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture and use the same 10 nm process node with a 257 mm² die size. The foundry is Intel for both. The shared L1 cache is 80 KB per core and L2 is 2 MB per core on each chip. The key architectural splits lie elsewhere.

The i9-13900HX belongs to the Raptor Lake-HX family and comes from the 13th Gen Core series. It is a mobile-focused part with an Intel BGA 1964 socket, while the i5-14600 is a desktop chip from the 14th Gen Core series (Raptor Lake Refresh) using Intel Socket 1700. The i9-13900HX offers 36 MB of shared L3 cache versus 24 MB on the i5-14600, a 12 MB difference that favors the mobile chip in cache-heavy workloads.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The i9-13900HX provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-14600 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), a 4-lane gap. Both integrate UHD Graphics 770, so the integrated GPU capability is identical. The i9-13900HX has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i5-14600 is locked. The i9-13900HX was released on 2023-01-03, and the i5-14600 followed on 2024-01-07.

The TDP values also separate the two: the mobile i9-13900HX is rated at 55 W, and the desktop i5-14600 at 65 W. Base clocks differ, with the i9-13900HX at 2.20 GHz and the i5-14600 at 2.70 GHz. Boost clocks are closer: 5.40 GHz for the i9-13900HX and 5.20 GHz for the i5-14600. The i9-13900HX has part number SRMEC, and the i5-14600 has SRN44.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The i9-13900HX wins 12 of them, and the i5-14600 wins 5. The margin distribution tells a clear story about workload type.

Starting with the i9-13900HX's biggest wins, Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a score of 4494.5 versus 3070, a 46.4% advantage. Passmark integer math is another strong result: 156175 versus 117078, a 33.4% lead. Floating-point math also favors the mobile chip at 110470 versus 85759, a 28.8% gap. Data encryption shows 32130 versus 25082, a 28.1% win. Find prime numbers scores 190 versus 155, a 22.6% edge. Data compression follows at 531224 versus 434620, a 22.2% lead. Random string sorting is 59199 versus 48043, a 23.2% advantage. Passmark multithread shows 43062 versus 35848, a 20.1% win. Extended instructions score 30550 versus 25674, a 19% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core is 14836 versus 12794, a 16% win. Cinebench R20 single-core goes to the i9-13900HX at 2094 versus 1806, a 15.9% margin. Passmark physics completes the i9-13900HX's wins at 2645 versus 2330, a 13.5% edge.

The i5-14600's wins are fewer but decisive in single-threaded tests. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the largest gap anywhere: 4300 versus 2056, a 52.2% advantage for the desktop chip. Cinebench R15 single-core follows with 433 versus 296, a 31.6% win. Cinebench R23 multi-core goes to the i5-14600 at 30464 versus 27900, an 8.4% lead, which is notable because it reverses the multi-core trend seen in R15 and R20. Passmark single-thread shows a narrow 4167 versus 4081, a 2.1% win, and the duplicate passmark_singlethread test confirms the same result.

The pattern is consistent: the i9-13900HX dominates in multi-threaded and throughput-oriented benchmarks, while the i5-14600 takes single-thread and some newer multi-core workloads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-13900HX | Intel Core i5-14600 |

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

| Series | Core 13th Gen | Core 14th Gen |

| Cores | 24 | 14 |

| Threads | 32 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1964 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-HX | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Core i9 (Raptor Lake-HX) | Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $668 | $255 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SRMEC | SRN44 |

Shared specifications include the 10 nm process node, 257 mm² die size, 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, DDR4/DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, UHD Graphics 770, and the Active production status. Both are manufactured by Intel and use the Raptor Lake architecture.

The Verdict

The data points to two different usage profiles. The i9-13900HX is the multi-threaded throughput champion, winning 12 of 17 head-to-head comparisons and posting large margins in Cinebench R15 multi-core (46.4%), integer math (33.4%), and floating-point math (28.8%). Its 24 cores and 32 threads give it a structural advantage in any workload that scales with core count.

The i5-14600 is the single-thread and efficiency pick. Its Cinebench R23 single-core lead of 52.2% is the single largest margin in the entire comparison, and it also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 31.6%. The desktop chip even takes Cinebench R23 multi-core by 8.4%, which suggests that newer multi-core workloads may favor its higher base clock and Raptor Lake Refresh design despite fewer cores.

Both processors land at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, so neither is a weak performer. The i9-13900HX's average benchmark score of 46098 sits just 0.1% above the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and 0.1% above the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, while the i5-14600's 44889 is 0.5% below the Intel Core i9-12900KS and 0.5% below the AMD EPYC 4344P. The i5-14600 also sits 0.7% above the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D.

For users who prioritize raw multi-threaded throughput, the i9-13900HX is the clear choice from the recorded data. For users who need maximum single-thread performance or prefer a desktop platform with a lower launch MSRP, the i5-14600 offers the stronger single-core numbers and a newer release date.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-13900HX wins in every passmark throughput test recorded: data compression (22.2%), data encryption (28.1%), extended instructions (19%), find prime numbers (22.6%), floating-point math (28.8%), integer math (33.4%), multithread (20.1%), physics (13.5%), and random string sorting (23.2%). It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (46.4%), R20 multi-core (16%), and R20 single-core (15.9%). This makes it the pick for content creation, scientific computing, data processing, and any parallel workload where core count and cache size matter. Its 36 MB L3 cache and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes provide additional headroom for large datasets and high-bandwidth peripherals.

The i5-14600 wins in Cinebench R23 single-core (52.2%), Cinebench R15 single-core (31.6%), Cinebench R23 multi-core (8.4%), and Passmark single-thread (2.1%). These wins point to a processor that excels in lightly threaded tasks like everyday desktop responsiveness, gaming, and applications that still rely on one or two fast cores. The 2.70 GHz base clock, 0.50 GHz higher than the i9-13900HX, likely contributes to these single-thread results. The 65 W TDP also positions it as a desktop part that can sustain boost behavior differently than a 55 W mobile chip. The i5-14600 is the sensible choice for users whose workloads are latency-sensitive rather than throughput-bound, and its newer 2024 release date means it comes from a more recent generation of Intel desktop silicon.