13th Gen Core i9-13900K vs Core i5-14600K
Short answer: which is best?
13th Gen Core i9-13900K is 114.2 % stronger than Core i5-14600K. 13th Gen Core i9-13900K ranks #8 of 103 measured processors at WhatFPS (13,199 CPU score over 2 verified runs). Core i5-14600K ranks #75 of 103 measured processors at WhatFPS (6,162 CPU score over 1 verified runs). The numbers are measured in 3 verified WhatFPS runs — not estimated, not self-reported.
Measured comparison
| Metric | 13th Gen Core i9-13900K | Core i5-14600K |
|---|---|---|
| CPU score (the processor's own performance) | 13,199 | 6,162 |
| Best rig (GAMING — whole PC) | 10,782 | 4,842 |
| Integer (MT) | 12.5 Gop/s | 4.1 Gop/s |
| Single-thread (1T) | 0.88 Gop/s | 0.41 Gop/s |
| Draw calls/s (DX11) | 9,342,700 | 6,499,030 |
| Cores / threads | 24 / 32 | 14 / 20 |
| L3 cache | 36 MB | 24 MB |
Fragz' verdict
The 13th Gen Core i9-13900K is the clear winner in this CPU comparison, leading the Core i5-14600K by a massive 114.2% in overall CPU score. This dominance is evident across the board, with the i9-13900K delivering significantly higher single-thread and multi-thread integer Gop/s, faster draw calls per second, and a superior 77.9 FPS in the Supernova DX11 test compared to the i5's 54.2 FPS. The increased core and thread count, coupled with a higher peak clock speed and more L3 cache, translates directly into a much higher potential for peak gaming performance and smoother handling of background tasks. While the Core i5-14600K's single verified run and the i9-13900K's two verified runs mean the sample size is thin for both, the measured gap in raw CPU performance is substantial. For gamers seeking the absolute highest frame rates and uncompromised processing power, the 13th Gen Core i9-13900K stands out, leaving the Core i5-14600K as a more modest option for less demanding scenarios.
Generated October 31, 2026 from the 3 verified runs available then. The verdict is never silently rewritten — new numbers get a new verdict.
What the numbers mean
The CPU score is the processor's own performance — that is what we rank on. GAMING is the whole rig's score in the best PC we measured the processor in, and leans heavily on the graphics card. A strong processor in a weak PC gets a low GAMING score without being worse. We show both and never mix them.
All numbers come from our benchmark suite: four hand-built 3D scenes written directly against the graphics APIs in Rust, the same load on every PC. The methodology is open at https://whatfps.com/metodik
All measurements for 13th Gen Core i9-13900K · All measurements for Core i5-14600K