Core i7-13790F vs Ryzen 9 5900X

CPU

GPU

Core i7-13790F

16 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2023

Core family

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Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i7-13790F vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-13790F

16 / 24

43,549

+11.8%

38,955

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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.

Core i7-13790F vs Ryzen 9 5900X 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 Ryzen 9 5900X: 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

✅+25% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $157 less on MSRP ($392 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Delivers 56.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.1 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($392 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (33 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (21,000 vs 26,247).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 71.0 vs 111.1 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-13790F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13790F better than Ryzen 9 5900X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 9 5900X is ahead with a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13790F pulls ahead with 25% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 9 5900X also has the bigger cache pool with 93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13790F is the stronger fit. You are getting 25% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i7-13790F is the better buy right now. Core i7-13790F comes in $157 cheaper on MSRP at $392 MSRP versus $549 MSRP, and it still gives you 25% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen 9 5900X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 56.6% better value on MSRP (111.1 vs 71.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 9 5900X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

Core i7-13790F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-13790F vs Ryzen 9 5900X 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.

Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13790F packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13790F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i7-13790F versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13790F (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-13790F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13790F scores 43,549 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 11.1% lead for the Core i7-13790F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 26,247 vs 21,000 (22.2% advantage for the Core i7-13790F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,815 vs 2,174, a 25.7% lead for the Core i7-13790F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,673 vs 11,888 (14% advantage for the Core i7-13790F). L3 cache: 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-13790F vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+8%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+76%
L3 Cache	33 MB (total)	64 MB+94%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+25500%
Process	10 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	43,549+12%	38,955
Cinebench R23 Multi	26,247+25%	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	2,815+29%	2,174
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,673+15%	11,888

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13790F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13790F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Core i7-13790F supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13790F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-13790F) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760 (Core i7-13790F) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900X
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+75%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900X 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 AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-13790F was priced at $392, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($392 vs $549), Core i7-13790F was $157 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13790F delivers 111.1 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Core i7-13790F the 44.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$392-29%	$549
Performance per Dollar	111.1+56%	71.0
Release Date	2023	2020

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