Core i7-13700E vs Core i9-12900

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 i7-13700E vs Core i9-12900 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 i7-13700E vs Core i9-12900: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-13700E

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $129 less on MSRP ($390 MSRP vs $519 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 86.7 vs 64.9 PassMark/$ ($390 MSRP vs $519 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i9-12900

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (33,695 vs 33,824).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 64.9 vs 86.7 PassMark/$ ($519 MSRP vs $390 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700E better than Core i9-12900?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-12900 is ahead with a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700E pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i7-13700E is the better buy right now. Core i7-13700E comes in $129 cheaper on MSRP at $390 MSRP versus $519 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-12900 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 33.6% better value on MSRP (86.7 vs 64.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-13700E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 16/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-13700E vs Core i9-12900 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-13700E

The Core i7-13700E 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 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 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: 33,824 points. Launch price was $499.

Core i9-12900

The Core i9-12900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 33,695 points. Launch price was $489.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-13700E and Core i9-12900 share an identical 16-core/24-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i7-13700E versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-13700E uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-12900 uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700E scores 33,824 against the Core i9-12900's 33,695 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-13700E. Both processors carry 30 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-13700E	Core i9-12900
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	16 / 24
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz	5.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2.4 GHz+26%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	30 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+60%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	33,824	33,695
Cinebench R23 Multi	24,775	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,118	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	14,711	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-13700E versus 4800 on the Core i9-12900 — the Core i7-13700E supports 16.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610E,Q670E,R680E,W680 (Core i7-13700E) and Z690,B660 (Core i9-12900).

Feature	Core i7-13700E	Core i9-12900
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200+17%	4800
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-13700E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-13700E) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-13700E targets Embedded Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700E rivals Ryzen 7 7700; Core i9-12900 rivals Ryzen 9 5900.

Feature	Core i7-13700E	Core i9-12900
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Embedded Workstation	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-13700E was priced at $390, while the Core i9-12900 came in at $519. On launch pricing ($390 vs $519), Core i7-13700E was $129 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700E delivers 86.7 pts/$ vs 64.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-12900 — making the Core i7-13700E the 28.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-13700E	Core i9-12900
MSRP	$390-25%	$519
Performance per Dollar	86.7+34%	64.9
Release Date	2023	2022

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