Core i7-13790F vs Core i9-13900HX

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 i7-13790F vs Core i9-13900HX 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 i7-13790F vs Core i9-13900HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-13790F

2023

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (26,247 vs 29,493).
❌Launch MSRP is still $392 MSRP, while Core i9-13900HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-13900HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core i7-13790F needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i7-13790F.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900HX better than Core i7-13790F?

Yes. Core i9-13900HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 12.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 i9-13900HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.2% 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 i9-13900HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads.

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

Core i9-13900HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-13790F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-13900HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $392 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-13790F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (111.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13900HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i7-13790F vs Core i9-13900HX Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-13790F

The Core i7-13790F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 43,549 points. Launch price was $441.

Core i9-13900HX

The Core i9-13900HX 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 5.4 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: 42,437 points. Launch price was $668.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13790F packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i9-13900HX offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i7-13790F versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13900HX — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900HX (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-13790F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-13900HX uses Raptor Lake-HX (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13790F scores 43,549 against the Core i9-13900HX's 42,437 — a 2.6% lead for the Core i7-13790F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 26,247 vs 29,493 (11.6% advantage for the Core i9-13900HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,815 vs 2,878, a 2.2% lead for the Core i9-13900HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,673 vs 14,944 (8.9% advantage for the Core i9-13900HX). L3 cache: 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-13790F vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900HX.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Core i9-13900HX
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	24 / 32+50%
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz	5.4 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.2 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	33 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+9%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
PassMark	43,549+3%	42,437
Cinebench R23 Multi	26,247	29,493+12%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,815	2,878+2%
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,673	14,944+9%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13790F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-13900HX 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-13790F) vs 20 (Core i9-13900HX) — the Core i9-13900HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760 (Core i7-13790F) and HM770,WM790 (Core i9-13900HX).

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Core i9-13900HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-13900HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-13790F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-13790F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-13900HX). The Core i9-13900HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i7-13790F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900HX targets Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-13900HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Core i9-13900HX
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation