Core i7-13700K vs EPYC 9754

Intel

Core i7-13700K

16 Cores24 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

EPYC 9754

128 Cores256 Thrd360 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2023

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: +38.8% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $11,491 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $11,900 MSRP).
  • Delivers 1253.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 8.3 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $11,900 MSRP).
  • Draws 125W instead of 360W, a 235W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 9754 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (31,000 vs 104,584).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9754, which brings 128 cores / 256 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 9754

2023

Why buy it

  • +237.4% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • +753.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 30 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 128 cores / 256 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 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.3 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($11,900 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
  • 188% higher power demand at 360W vs 125W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than EPYC 9754?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 9754 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9754 is the better fit. You are getting 237.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 128 cores and 256 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 753.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 30 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-13700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-13700K is $11,491 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $11,900 MSRP, and it gives you a 38.8% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that EPYC 9754 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 237.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 1253.1% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 8.3 PassMark/$), 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?
EPYC 9754 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), 753.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 30 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 128 cores / 256 threads instead of 16/24. That extra cache should hold up really well in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

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 9754
1080p
low284 FPS163 FPS
medium268 FPS134 FPS
high223 FPS113 FPS
ultra190 FPS89 FPS
1440p
low238 FPS143 FPS
medium200 FPS114 FPS
high159 FPS90 FPS
ultra139 FPS72 FPS
4K
low159 FPS68 FPS
medium134 FPS58 FPS
high103 FPS45 FPS
ultra90 FPS37 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i7-13700KEPYC 9754
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 9754
1080p
low648 FPS650 FPS
medium530 FPS541 FPS
high467 FPS481 FPS
ultra405 FPS422 FPS
1440p
low591 FPS503 FPS
medium491 FPS418 FPS
high427 FPS365 FPS
ultra371 FPS318 FPS
4K
low434 FPS371 FPS
medium374 FPS289 FPS
high339 FPS246 FPS
ultra290 FPS199 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i7-13700KEPYC 9754
1080p
low970 FPS876 FPS
medium883 FPS793 FPS
high766 FPS682 FPS
ultra689 FPS592 FPS
1440p
low829 FPS695 FPS
medium740 FPS602 FPS
high642 FPS515 FPS
ultra566 FPS435 FPS
4K
low567 FPS495 FPS
medium515 FPS441 FPS
high463 FPS387 FPS
ultra404 FPS330 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and EPYC 9754

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 9754

The EPYC 9754 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 June 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Bergamo (2023) architecture. It features 128 cores and 256 threads. Base frequency is 2.25 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 360 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 98,450 points. Launch price was $11,900.

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the EPYC 9754 offers 128 cores / 256 threads — the EPYC 9754 has 112 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 3.1 GHz on the EPYC 9754 — a 54.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.25 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 9754 uses Bergamo (2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the EPYC 9754's 98,450 — a 73% lead for the EPYC 9754. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 31,000 vs 104,584 (108.5% advantage for the EPYC 9754). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,846 vs 1,634, a 54.1% lead for the Core i7-13700K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,980 vs 16,825 (12% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9754.

FeatureCore i7-13700KEPYC 9754
Cores / Threads
16 / 24
128 / 256+700%
Boost Clock
5.4 GHz+74%
3.1 GHz
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+51%
2.25 GHz
L3 Cache
30 MB (total)
256 MB (total)+753%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)+100%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
5 nm-29%
Architecture
Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
Bergamo (2023)
PassMark
45,784
98,450+115%
Cinebench R23 Multi
31,000
104,584+237%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,846+74%
1,634
Geekbench 6 Multi
18,980+13%
16,825
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 9754 uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i7-13700K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 6 TB 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-13700K) vs 12 (EPYC 9754). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700K) vs 128 (EPYC 9754) — the EPYC 9754 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 SP5 (EPYC 9754).

FeatureCore i7-13700KEPYC 9754
Socket
LGA1700
SP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600
DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
6 TB+3100%
RAM Channels
2
12+500%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
128+540%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9754). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 9754 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: EPYC 9754 targets Data Center / Cloud Native. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X; EPYC 9754 rivals Xeon 6780E.

FeatureCore i7-13700KEPYC 9754
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
AMD-V, SEV-SNP
Target Use
Data Center / Cloud Native
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the EPYC 9754 debuted at $11900. On MSRP ($409 vs $11900), the Core i7-13700K is $11491 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 8.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 9754 — making the Core i7-13700K the 172.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-13700KEPYC 9754
MSRP
$409-97%
$11900
Performance per Dollar
111.9+1248%
8.3
Release Date
2022
2023