Athlon X4 850 vs Core i7-13700K
Athlon X4 850
Core i7-13700K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Athlon X4 850 is positioned at rank #539 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X4 850
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-13700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X4 850 | Core i7-13700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($20) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Godaveri (2014−2016) / 28 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X4 850 | Core i7-13700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+20%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($20) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon X4 850 and Core i7-13700K
Athlon X4 850
The Athlon X4 850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,756 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i7-13700K
The Core i7-13700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 45,784 points. Launch price was $409.
Processing Power
The Athlon X4 850 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-13700K offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Athlon X4 850 versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Athlon X4 850 uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-13700K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 850 scores 2,756 against the Core i7-13700K's 45,784 — a 177.3% lead for the Core i7-13700K.
| Feature | Athlon X4 850 | Core i7-13700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 16 / 24+300% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 5.4 GHz+38% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.4 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | — | 30 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+100% | 2 MB (per core) |
| Process | 28 nm | Intel 7 nm-75% |
| Architecture | Godaveri (2014−2016) | Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) |
| PassMark | 2,756 | 45,784+1561% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 31,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,846 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 18,980 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X4 850 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-13700K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 850 versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700K — the Core i7-13700K supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13700K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon X4 850) vs 20 (Core i7-13700K) — the Core i7-13700K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 850) and Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K).
| Feature | Athlon X4 850 | Core i7-13700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM2+ | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-2133 | DDR5-5600+67% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 192 GB+200% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X4 850) vs true (Core i7-13700K). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Athlon X4 850 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X4 850 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.
| Feature | Athlon X4 850 | Core i7-13700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | true |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Athlon X4 850 launched at $77 MSRP, while the Core i7-13700K debuted at $409. At current prices ($20 vs $400), the Athlon X4 850 is $380 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 850 delivers 137.8 pts/$ vs 114.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-13700K — making the Athlon X4 850 the 18.5% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon X4 850 | Core i7-13700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $77-81% | $409 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-95% | $400 |
| Performance per Dollar | 137.8+20% | 114.5 |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2022 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Athlon X4 850 and Core i7-13700K
