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

✅Costs $2,090 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 158.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 43.4 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 350W, a 225W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen Threadripper 9970X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9970X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (31,000 vs 76,136).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 9970X, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 92 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 92 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅360% more PCIe lanes (92 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.4 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌180% higher power demand at 350W vs 125W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-13700K

2022

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,090 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 158.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 43.4 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 350W, a 225W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen Threadripper 9970X needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 92 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅360% more PCIe lanes (92 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9970X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (31,000 vs 76,136).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 9970X, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 92 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.4 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌180% higher power demand at 350W vs 125W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9970X better than Core i7-13700K?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper 9970X 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, Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 10.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a big cache advantage at 128 MB vs 30 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the better fit. You are getting 145.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 326.7% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 30 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-13700K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is 511.0% more expensive on MSRP at $2,499 MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it gives you a 10.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-13700K is also 158.1% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 43.4 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 128 MB L3 cache instead of 30 MB, more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 16/24, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. 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.

Core i7-13700K Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	284 FPS	314 FPS
medium	268 FPS	289 FPS
high	223 FPS	240 FPS
ultra	190 FPS	203 FPS
1440p
low	238 FPS	278 FPS
medium	200 FPS	231 FPS
high	159 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	191 FPS
medium	134 FPS	158 FPS
high	103 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	107 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	689 FPS	818 FPS
medium	580 FPS	697 FPS
high	484 FPS	542 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	472 FPS
1440p
low	595 FPS	674 FPS
medium	525 FPS	599 FPS
high	441 FPS	480 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	388 FPS
4K
low	348 FPS	377 FPS
medium	314 FPS	339 FPS
high	295 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	271 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	648 FPS	891 FPS
medium	530 FPS	723 FPS
high	467 FPS	649 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	552 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	714 FPS
medium	491 FPS	580 FPS
high	427 FPS	508 FPS
ultra	371 FPS	427 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	508 FPS
medium	374 FPS	419 FPS
high	339 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	311 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
1080p
low	970 FPS	1116 FPS
medium	883 FPS	1002 FPS
high	766 FPS	879 FPS
ultra	689 FPS	792 FPS
1440p
low	829 FPS	872 FPS
medium	740 FPS	768 FPS
high	642 FPS	674 FPS
ultra	566 FPS	587 FPS
4K
low	567 FPS	636 FPS
medium	515 FPS	568 FPS
high	463 FPS	504 FPS
ultra	404 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 30 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 108,377 points. Launch price was $2,499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.4 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X's 108,377 — a 81.2% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 31,000 vs 76,136 (84.3% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,846 vs 3,220, a 12.3% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,980 vs 29,244 (42.6% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	32 / 64+100%
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz	5.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	4 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	128 MB (total)+327%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark	45,784	108,377+137%
Cinebench R23 Multi	31,000	76,136+146%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,846	3,220+13%
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,980	29,244+54%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — 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 1 TB — 197.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-13700K) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700K) vs 92 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) — the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X offers 72 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 TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X).

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Socket	LGA1700	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	1 TB+433%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	92+360%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 9970X targets HEDT / Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X; Ryzen Threadripper 9970X rivals Xeon w7-3465X.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	true	AMD-V, SVM
Target Use	—	HEDT / Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X debuted at $2499. On MSRP ($409 vs $2499), the Core i7-13700K is $2090 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 43.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X — making the Core i7-13700K the 88.3% better value option.