Intel Core i5-13500 offers all-core boost of 4.5 GHz with power unlocked, 12600/12700K performance for $270

Intel Core i5-13500 14-core CPU tested ahead of launch

Intel’s new 13th Gen Core CPUs are so easy to obtain that they are literally sitting on shelves in Asian stores as we speak. Luckily for us, more than a week before formal launch, a known overclocker from JagatOC team Alva “Lucky_n00b” Jonathan has been able to buy one himself. This provides first-hand information on one of the most interesting Intel desktop CPUs for this generation.

Intel Core i5-13500, Source: Lucky_n00b

As a reminder, the Core i5-13500 is a 14-core CPU with 6 Performance and 8 Efficient cores. That’s one of the biggest jumps compared to 12th Gen series, as the predecessor had no Efficient cores at all. What is intriguing is that Alva seemingly confirms that this i5-13500 might be using Alder Lake C0 die.

The Core i5-13500 is part of the new 65W TDP series. This power level applies to PL1 (Power Limit 1) or Processor Base Power as Intel calls it now. However, the CPU also supports PL2 or MTP (Max Turbo Power) of 154W which can actually be forced in motherboard BIOS. Many of existing and upcoming Intel motherboards will offer an option to increase the period for the CPU to stay boosted with maximum power, effectively putting the CPU into a higher performance state for a prolonged time.

Intel Core i5-13500 CPU-Z Clocks, Source: Lucky_n00b

According to Alva, this CPU gains massively from running in max power mode, with a difference of 1.5 GHz for all cores running simultaneously during heavy workloads such as Cinebench. With default 65W TDP the max all-core boost is 2.9 to 3.0 GHz, but with TDP unlocked it goes up to 4.5 GHz with all cores. This, of course, applies to Performance cores, but Efficient cores gain higher frequency as well, from 2.9 GHz to 3.5 GHz, as per report.

It is said that the CPU running at 4.5 GHz all-core mode almost reaches a multi-core performance of Core i7-12700K processor, while in 65W mode it almost matches i5-12600K (both tested in Cinebench R23). However, unlocked power mode means that stock cooler is insufficient and not recommended using in this mode.

Intel Core i5-13500 Cinebench R23 Performance, Source: Lucky_n00b

Alva did not have time for a full review yet, but here are his notes from the brief testing:

Quick Pretest Core i5-13500 notes:

• Run on MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 (1.90 BIOS), and GSkill TridentZ RGB DDR4-3600 2x16GB
• Judging from the L2 Cache, seems like an Alder Lake C0 die with 2 less P-Core?
• Default detected power config is 65W PL1/154W PL2
• Increasing PL1 from default 65W to Max/Unlimited mode will give massive clock boost
• Max Clock 1-Core 4.8Ghz (P-Core)
• Sustained All-core Clock on default 65W Mode 2.9-3Ghz P-Core, 2.9Ghz E-Core
• Sustained All-core Clock on Max/unlimited PL1 4.5Ghz P-Core, 3.5Ghz E-Core
• Default 65W Mode might be feasible for Stock Heatsink (Temp might be higher just for the initial Burst to 130W ish)
• Unlimited/Max PL1 Power IS NOT RECOMMENDED for Stock Heatsink (will easily hit TjMax)
• 65W Multi-Core Performance almost match an i5-12600K on Cinebench R23
• Max/Unlimited Power Multi-Core Performance slightly below i7-12700K!
• Single-Core close to i5-12600K.

Quick Summary:

• Pretty Decent overall performance
• Might be run on cheap/value H610 board, but PLEASE make sure power is 65W, not maxxed out
• Recommended to pair with midrange B660 and Decent 120mm Tower HSF (like Thermalright TA120 EX or ID-Cooling SE-224XT), max out all power limit on the board to get optimal multi-core performance. Now I’m not sure if i5-13600K is my best CPU of the year, this i5-13500 CPU might have better multi-core performance-per-dollar 😃

— Alva “Lucky_n00b” Jonathan

Alva claims that he bought the processor for as little as $270 (after conversion). He also confirms that the CPU has a max 1-core boost of 4.8 GHz, so we can now update the chart below with new data.

Source: Alva “Lucky_n00b” Jonathan