Core i7-13700 vs Ryzen 9 5900X

Intel

Core i7-13700

16 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core i7-13700 vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i7-13700 vs Ryzen 9 5900X FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-13700 vs Ryzen 9 5900X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-13700

2023

Why buy it

  • Costs $165 less on MSRP ($384 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
  • Delivers 33.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 94.3 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (36,230 vs 38,955).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +19.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 71.0 vs 94.3 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
  • 61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-13700 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-13700.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Core i7-13700?
Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 7.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.6% 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, Ryzen 9 5900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.5% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 5900X is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-13700 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in 43.0% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $384 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-13700 is also 33.0% better value on MSRP (94.3 vs 71.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i7-13700 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-13700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-13700 vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i7-13700

The Core i7-13700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 36,230 points. Launch price was $384.

AMD

Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700 packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i7-13700 versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-13700 uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700 scores 36,230 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 7.2% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

FeatureCore i7-13700Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads
16 / 24+33%
12 / 24
Boost Clock
5.2 GHz+8%
4.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
3.7 GHz+76%
L3 Cache
30 MB (total)
64 MB+113%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+25500%
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
36,230
38,955+8%
Cinebench R23 Multi
21,000
Geekbench 6 Single
2,174
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,888
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Core i7-13700 supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13700 supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760 (Core i7-13700) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

FeatureCore i7-13700Ryzen 9 5900X
Socket
LGA1700
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600+75%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB+50%
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-13700 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-13700) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). The Core i7-13700 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

FeatureCore i7-13700Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-13700 was priced at $384, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($384 vs $549), Core i7-13700 was $165 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700 delivers 94.3 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Core i7-13700 the 28.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-13700Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP
$384-30%
$549
Performance per Dollar
94.3+33%
71.0
Release Date
2023
2020

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