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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-13490F

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $174 less on MSRP ($235 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Core i7-13700K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,500 vs 31,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-13700K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13490F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
74% HIGHER MSRP
$409 MSRPvs$235 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13490F.

Core i5-13490F

2023

Core i7-13700K

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $174 less on MSRP ($235 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Core i7-13700K.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i5-13490F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,500 vs 31,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
74% HIGHER MSRP
$409 MSRPvs$235 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13490F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Core i5-13490F?

Yes. Core i7-13700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 14.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 87.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 71.7% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-13700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 14.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700K is the better fit. You are getting 87.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-13700K is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13490F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-13700K is 74.0% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $235 MSRP, and it gives you a 14.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13490F is also 1.4% better value on MSRP (113.5 vs 111.9 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-13490F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-13490F Benchmark Check

Core i7-13700K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13490F	Core i7-13700K
1080p
low	246 FPS	284 FPS
medium	231 FPS	268 FPS
high	196 FPS	223 FPS
ultra	169 FPS	190 FPS
1440p
low	215 FPS	238 FPS
medium	183 FPS	200 FPS
high	151 FPS	159 FPS
ultra	132 FPS	139 FPS
4K
low	149 FPS	159 FPS
medium	127 FPS	134 FPS
high	98 FPS	103 FPS
ultra	86 FPS	90 FPS

Open Core i5-13490F Open Core i7-13700K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13490F	Core i7-13700K
1080p
low	590 FPS	689 FPS
medium	501 FPS	580 FPS
high	422 FPS	484 FPS
ultra	377 FPS	439 FPS
1440p
low	485 FPS	595 FPS
medium	427 FPS	525 FPS
high	370 FPS	441 FPS
ultra	316 FPS	378 FPS
4K
low	296 FPS	348 FPS
medium	263 FPS	314 FPS
high	248 FPS	295 FPS
ultra	215 FPS	261 FPS

Open Core i5-13490F Open Core i7-13700K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13490F	Core i7-13700K
1080p
low	667 FPS	648 FPS
medium	667 FPS	530 FPS
high	667 FPS	467 FPS
ultra	667 FPS	405 FPS
1440p
low	667 FPS	591 FPS
medium	667 FPS	491 FPS
high	667 FPS	427 FPS
ultra	656 FPS	371 FPS
4K
low	596 FPS	434 FPS
medium	502 FPS	374 FPS
high	447 FPS	339 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	290 FPS

Open Core i5-13490F Open Core i7-13700K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13490F	Core i7-13700K
1080p
low	667 FPS	970 FPS
medium	667 FPS	883 FPS
high	667 FPS	766 FPS
ultra	667 FPS	689 FPS
1440p
low	667 FPS	829 FPS
medium	667 FPS	740 FPS
high	667 FPS	642 FPS
ultra	592 FPS	566 FPS
4K
low	661 FPS	567 FPS
medium	585 FPS	515 FPS
high	514 FPS	463 FPS
ultra	436 FPS	404 FPS

Open Core i5-13490F Open Core i7-13700K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13490F and Core i7-13700K

Core i5-13490F

The Core i5-13490F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 26,670 points. Launch price was $235.

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 Core i5-13490F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-13700K offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13490F versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-13490F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-13700K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13490F scores 26,670 against the Core i7-13700K's 45,784 — a 52.8% lead for the Core i7-13700K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,500 vs 31,000 (61.1% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,844 vs 2,846, a 42.7% lead for the Core i7-13700K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,200 vs 18,980 (51.6% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13490F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K.

Feature	Core i5-13490F	Core i7-13700K
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	16 / 24+60%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5.4 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.4 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
PassMark	26,670	45,784+72%
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,500	31,000+88%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,844	2,846+54%
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,200	18,980+69%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B660,B760,H610,H670,Z690,Z790 (Core i5-13490F) and Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K).

Feature	Core i5-13490F	Core i7-13700K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-13700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13490F) vs true (Core i7-13700K). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i5-13490F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13490F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

Feature	Core i5-13490F	Core i7-13700K
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	true
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13490F launched at $235 MSRP, while the Core i7-13700K debuted at $409. On MSRP ($235 vs $409), the Core i5-13490F is $174 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13490F delivers 113.5 pts/$ vs 111.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-13700K — making the Core i5-13490F the 1.4% better value option.