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 i7-13700K

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $140 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Delivers 35.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 82.4 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).

Core i9-13900

2023

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (45,252 vs 45,784).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 82.4 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Core i7-13700K

2022

Core i9-13900

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $140 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Delivers 35.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 82.4 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (45,252 vs 45,784).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 82.4 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Core i9-13900?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i9-13900 is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700K pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i9-13900 also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

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 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i7-13700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-13700K is $140 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $549 MSRP, and it gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Core i9-13900 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 35.8% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 82.4 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i9-13900 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB). 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 i7-13700K Benchmark Check

Core i9-13900 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900
1080p
low	284 FPS	321 FPS
medium	268 FPS	311 FPS
high	223 FPS	247 FPS
ultra	190 FPS	209 FPS
1440p
low	238 FPS	278 FPS
medium	200 FPS	240 FPS
high	159 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	192 FPS
medium	134 FPS	164 FPS
high	103 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	112 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-13900

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900
1080p
low	689 FPS	496 FPS
medium	580 FPS	434 FPS
high	484 FPS	354 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	313 FPS
1440p
low	595 FPS	421 FPS
medium	525 FPS	380 FPS
high	441 FPS	316 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	257 FPS
4K
low	348 FPS	236 FPS
medium	314 FPS	216 FPS
high	295 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	179 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-13900

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900
1080p
low	648 FPS	762 FPS
medium	530 FPS	626 FPS
high	467 FPS	543 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	467 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	680 FPS
medium	491 FPS	567 FPS
high	427 FPS	485 FPS
ultra	371 FPS	423 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	497 FPS
medium	374 FPS	430 FPS
high	339 FPS	383 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	329 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-13900

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900
1080p
low	970 FPS	1010 FPS
medium	883 FPS	905 FPS
high	766 FPS	792 FPS
ultra	689 FPS	704 FPS
1440p
low	829 FPS	838 FPS
medium	740 FPS	739 FPS
high	642 FPS	646 FPS
ultra	566 FPS	568 FPS
4K
low	567 FPS	619 FPS
medium	515 FPS	555 FPS
high	463 FPS	491 FPS
ultra	404 FPS	430 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-13900

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Core i9-13900

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.

Core i9-13900

The Core i9-13900 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 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 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: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 45,252 points. Launch price was $549.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i9-13900 offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 5.5 GHz on the Core i9-13900 — a 1.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-13900 uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Core i9-13900's 45,252 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-13700K. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	24 / 32+50%
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz	5.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+70%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	45,784+1%	45,252
Cinebench R23 Multi	31,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,846	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,980	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700K versus 5600 on the Core i9-13900 — the Core i9-13900 supports 199.6% 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 128 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K) and Z790,B760 (Core i9-13900).

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	5600+111900%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+157286300%	128
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13900). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-13700K) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X; Core i9-13900 rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Core i9-13900 debuted at $549. On MSRP ($409 vs $549), the Core i7-13700K is $140 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 82.4 pts/$ for the Core i9-13900 — making the Core i7-13700K the 30.4% better value option.