Core i7-13850HX vs Ryzen 7 9700X

Intel

Core i7-13850HX

20 Cores28 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 9700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2024
Ryzen family
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Core i7-13850HX vs Ryzen 7 9700X Performance Spectrum

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 i7-13850HX vs Ryzen 7 9700X 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 i7-13850HX vs Ryzen 7 9700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-13850HX

2023

Why buy it

  • Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 9700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (36,409 vs 37,145).

Ryzen 7 9700X

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $359 MSRP, while Core i7-13850HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 9700X better than Core i7-13850HX?
Yes. Ryzen 7 9700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2% better PassMark, 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, Ryzen 7 9700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.8% 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, Ryzen 7 9700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 9700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 9700X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $359 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (103.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 9700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 20/28. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-13850HX vs Ryzen 7 9700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-13850HX

The Core i7-13850HX 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 20 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 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: 36,409 points. Launch price was $428.

AMD

Ryzen 7 9700X

The Ryzen 7 9700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 37,145 points. Launch price was $359.

Processing Power

The Core i7-13850HX packs 20 cores / 28 threads, while the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-13850HX has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core i7-13850HX versus 5.5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 9700X — a 3.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 9700X (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i7-13850HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 9700X uses Granite Ridge (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13850HX scores 36,409 against the Ryzen 7 9700X's 37,145 — a 2% lead for the Ryzen 7 9700X. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13850HX vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 9700X.

FeatureCore i7-13850HXRyzen 7 9700X
Cores / Threads
20 / 28+150%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5.3 GHz
5.5 GHz+4%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
3.8 GHz+81%
L3 Cache
30 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+7%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)+100%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
Granite Ridge (2024−2025)
PassMark
36,409
37,145+2%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13850HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 9700X uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 5600 memory speed. The Ryzen 7 9700X supports up to 256 of RAM compared to 192 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13850HX) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 9700X) — the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Raptor Lake-HX (Core i7-13850HX) and X870E,X670E,B650 (Ryzen 7 9700X).

FeatureCore i7-13850HXRyzen 7 9700X
Socket
FCBGA1964
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
5600
5600
Max RAM Capacity
192
256+33%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-13850HX) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 7 9700X). Both include integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics (Core i7-13850HX) and AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core) (Ryzen 7 9700X) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13850HX rivals Ryzen 7 8845HS; Ryzen 7 9700X rivals Core i7-14700K.

FeatureCore i7-13850HXRyzen 7 9700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V