Core i7-13700K vs EPYC 7663

Intel

Core i7-13700K

16 Cores24 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

EPYC 7663

56 Cores112 Thrd240 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021

Popular choices:

i7-13700K

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

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

  • Better for gaming: +12.0% higher average FPS across 13 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $5,957 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $6,366 MSRP).
  • Delivers 767.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 12.9 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $6,366 MSRP).
  • Draws 125W instead of 240W, a 115W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7663, which brings 56 cores / 112 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7663

2021

Why buy it

  • +753.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 30 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 56 cores / 112 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
  • 540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 13 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (12,380 vs 18,980).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.9 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($6,366 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
  • 92% higher power demand at 240W vs 125W.
  • Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core i7-13700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than EPYC 7663?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7663 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-13700K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.
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 12.0% more average FPS across 13 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 53.3% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 $5,957 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $6,366 MSRP, and it gives you a 12.0% average FPS lead across 13 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 767.8% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 12.9 PassMark/$), 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 i7-13700K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of SP3, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 56/112. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i7-13700KEPYC 7663
1080p
low284 FPS190 FPS
medium268 FPS155 FPS
high223 FPS123 FPS
ultra190 FPS96 FPS
1440p
low238 FPS156 FPS
medium200 FPS123 FPS
high159 FPS94 FPS
ultra139 FPS75 FPS
4K
low159 FPS72 FPS
medium134 FPS60 FPS
high103 FPS46 FPS
ultra90 FPS38 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i7-13700KEPYC 7663
1080p
low689 FPS238 FPS
medium580 FPS211 FPS
high484 FPS174 FPS
ultra439 FPS138 FPS
1440p
low595 FPS195 FPS
medium525 FPS177 FPS
high441 FPS151 FPS
ultra378 FPS116 FPS
4K
low348 FPS121 FPS
medium314 FPS112 FPS
high295 FPS97 FPS
ultra261 FPS79 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i7-13700KEPYC 7663
1080p
low648 FPS836 FPS
medium530 FPS696 FPS
high467 FPS649 FPS
ultra405 FPS573 FPS
1440p
low591 FPS602 FPS
medium491 FPS500 FPS
high427 FPS458 FPS
ultra371 FPS400 FPS
4K
low434 FPS430 FPS
medium374 FPS335 FPS
high339 FPS300 FPS
ultra290 FPS242 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i7-13700KEPYC 7663
1080p
low970 FPS954 FPS
medium883 FPS863 FPS
high766 FPS739 FPS
ultra689 FPS637 FPS
1440p
low829 FPS733 FPS
medium740 FPS636 FPS
high642 FPS542 FPS
ultra566 FPS466 FPS
4K
low567 FPS522 FPS
medium515 FPS464 FPS
high463 FPS406 FPS
ultra404 FPS353 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and EPYC 7663

Intel

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.

AMD

EPYC 7663

The EPYC 7663 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 56 cores and 112 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm+ process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 240 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 82,120 points. Launch price was $6,366.

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the EPYC 7663 offers 56 cores / 112 threads — the EPYC 7663 has 40 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 3.5 GHz on the EPYC 7663 — a 42.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (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 EPYC 7663 uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm+). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the EPYC 7663's 82,120 — a 56.8% lead for the EPYC 7663. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,846 vs 1,370, a 70% lead for the Core i7-13700K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,980 vs 12,380 (42.1% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7663.

FeatureCore i7-13700KEPYC 7663
Cores / Threads
16 / 24
56 / 112+250%
Boost Clock
5.4 GHz+54%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+70%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
30 MB (total)
256 MB (total)+753%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)+300%
512 kB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm+
Architecture
Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
Milan (2021−2023)
PassMark
45,784
82,120+79%
Cinebench R23 Multi
31,000
Geekbench 6 Single
2,846+108%
1,370
Geekbench 6 Multi
18,980+53%
12,380
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 7663 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700K versus DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7663 — the Core i7-13700K supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7663 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB 182.1% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-13700K) vs 8 (EPYC 7663). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700K) vs 128 (EPYC 7663) — the EPYC 7663 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K) and SP3 (EPYC 7663).

FeatureCore i7-13700KEPYC 7663
Socket
LGA1700
SP3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600+25%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
4096 GB+2033%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
128+540%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-13700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs AMD-V (EPYC 7663). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 7663 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: EPYC 7663 targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X; EPYC 7663 rivals Xeon Platinum 8380.

FeatureCore i7-13700KEPYC 7663
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 770
None
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
AMD-V
Target Use
Server
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the EPYC 7663 debuted at $6366. On MSRP ($409 vs $6366), the Core i7-13700K is $5957 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 12.9 pts/$ for the EPYC 7663 — making the Core i7-13700K the 158.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-13700KEPYC 7663
MSRP
$409-94%
$6366
Performance per Dollar
111.9+767%
12.9
Release Date
2022
2021