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 i7-13700K vs Core i9-13980HX 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 i7-13700K vs Core i9-13980HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-13700K

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $259 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).
✅Delivers 62.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 68.8 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13980HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (45,784 vs 45,950).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

Core i9-13980HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.8 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($668 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13980HX better than Core i7-13700K?

Yes. Core i9-13980HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-13980HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.0% 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 i9-13980HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

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

Core i9-13980HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-13700K is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-13980HX comes in 63.3% more expensive on MSRP at $668 MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-13700K is also 62.7% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 68.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i9-13980HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 16/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-13700K vs Core i9-13980HX Technical Specifications

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

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 i9-13980HX

The Core i9-13980HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 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: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 45,950 points. Launch price was $668.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i9-13980HX offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13980HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 5.5 GHz on the Core i9-13980HX — a 1.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-13980HX (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-13980HX uses Raptor Lake-HX (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Core i9-13980HX's 45,950 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i9-13980HX. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13980HX.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13980HX
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	24 / 32+50%
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz	5.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+55%	2.2 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-HX (2023)
PassMark	45,784	45,950
Cinebench R23 Multi	31,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,846	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,980	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-13980HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 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: Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K) and Raptor Lake-HX (Core i9-13980HX).

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13980HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	5600
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-13980HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13980HX). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-13700K) and Intel UHD Graphics (Core i9-13980HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X; Core i9-13980HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13980HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-13700K was priced at $409, while the Core i9-13980HX came in at $668. On launch pricing ($409 vs $668), Core i7-13700K was $259 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 68.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-13980HX — making the Core i7-13700K the 47.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13980HX
MSRP	$409-39%	$668
Performance per Dollar	111.9+63%	68.8
Release Date	2022	2023

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