Market analysis and benchmark results for late 2025 show a shift in the price-to-performance ratio for entry-level and mid-range desktop processors. Intel 13th Generation Core i5 chips have become the primary recommendation for systems costing under $200. This trend follows significant price reductions on LGA 1700 socket hardware as Intel transitions its primary focus to the newer Core Ultra 200 series.
The Intel Core i5-13500 is currently the focal point of this market segment. It features 14 cores and 20 threads, consisting of 6 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores. In synthetic multi-threaded benchmarks such as Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 6, the i5-13500 consistently outperforms the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT in tasks related to video rendering and file compression. While the Ryzen 9 5900XT was originally a higher-tier enthusiast part, its reliance on the older AM4 platform and DDR4 memory limits its effectiveness against Intel’s hybrid architecture which supports both DDR4 and DDR5.
The Core i5-13400 also maintains a strong position for gaming-focused builds. With 10 cores and 16 threads, it provides sufficient single-core clock speeds to match or exceed the performance of the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 in various titles at 1080p resolution. A major factor in Intel’s current advantage is the total platform cost. Motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 socket are widely available at lower price points than the AMD AM5 motherboards required for the latest Ryzen 7000 and 9000 series chips.
AMD has attempted to counter these Intel offerings by lowering the prices of its previous-generation AM4 processors. However, the Ryzen 9 5900XT and Ryzen 7 5800X3D are frequently outpaced by the i5-13500 in modern productivity suites that take advantage of the high thread count provided by Intel’s efficiency cores. AMD’s newer AM5 options, such as the Ryzen 5 8400F and 8500G, often fall behind due to smaller cache sizes or reduced core counts intended to keep manufacturing costs low.
This current market environment marks a change from previous years when AMD was typically the leader in value-oriented multi-threaded performance. The availability of affordable B660 and B760 motherboards allows users to build a complete Intel-based system for less than the cost of a comparable AMD AM5 setup, which requires more expensive DDR5 memory modules.
The Intel Core i5-13500 is currently available at major retailers for approximately $195. The Core i5-13400 is priced near $175. Both processors are compatible with 600 and 700 series chipsets and are sold through vendors including Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy. These prices reflect current holiday discounts and are expected to remain stable through the first quarter of 2026 as retailers clear inventory for newer generations.
