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 i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700HX across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 32,157).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
❌72.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 55W.

Core i7-13700HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 77.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($485 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 95W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌
26% HIGHER MSRP
$485 MSRPvs$385 MSRP

Core i7-9700K

2018

Core i7-13700HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 77.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($485 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 95W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700HX across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 32,157).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
❌72.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 55W.

Trade-offs

❌
26% HIGHER MSRP
$485 MSRPvs$385 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700HX better than Core i7-9700K?

Yes. Core i7-13700HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 24.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 123.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-13700HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 24.4% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700HX is the better fit. You are getting 123.4% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-13700HX is the smarter buy today. Core i7-13700HX is 26.0% more expensive on MSRP at $485 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it gives you a 24.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 77.3% better value on MSRP (66.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i7-13700HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/8. 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 i7-9700K Benchmark Check

Core i7-13700HX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-13700HX
1080p
low	308 FPS	264 FPS
medium	278 FPS	254 FPS
high	231 FPS	210 FPS
ultra	182 FPS	181 FPS
1440p
low	270 FPS	225 FPS
medium	221 FPS	193 FPS
high	178 FPS	153 FPS
ultra	143 FPS	135 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	154 FPS
medium	140 FPS	131 FPS
high	108 FPS	101 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	90 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i7-13700HX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-13700HX
1080p
low	360 FPS	340 FPS
medium	321 FPS	291 FPS
high	291 FPS	245 FPS
ultra	259 FPS	223 FPS
1440p
low	324 FPS	295 FPS
medium	282 FPS	264 FPS
high	258 FPS	223 FPS
ultra	225 FPS	192 FPS
4K
low	249 FPS	176 FPS
medium	221 FPS	159 FPS
high	208 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	132 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i7-13700HX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-13700HX
1080p
low	360 FPS	647 FPS
medium	360 FPS	527 FPS
high	360 FPS	467 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	405 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	590 FPS
medium	360 FPS	486 FPS
high	360 FPS	425 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	370 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	433 FPS
medium	360 FPS	372 FPS
high	360 FPS	333 FPS
ultra	318 FPS	285 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i7-13700HX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-13700HX
1080p
low	360 FPS	804 FPS
medium	360 FPS	804 FPS
high	360 FPS	715 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	635 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	778 FPS
medium	360 FPS	691 FPS
high	360 FPS	599 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	521 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	547 FPS
medium	360 FPS	497 FPS
high	360 FPS	443 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	386 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i7-13700HX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-9700K and Core i7-13700HX

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

Core i7-13700HX

The Core i7-13700HX 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 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: 32,157 points. Launch price was $485.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-13700HX offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5 GHz on the Core i7-13700HX — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700HX (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-13700HX uses Raptor Lake-HX (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core i7-13700HX's 32,157 — a 76.3% lead for the Core i7-13700HX. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700HX.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-13700HX
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	16 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+71%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB (per core)+700%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
PassMark	14,397	32,157+123%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-13700HX uses FCBGA1964 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-13700HX — the Core i7-13700HX supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13700HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 20 (Core i7-13700HX) — the Core i7-13700HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and Mobile (Core i7-13700HX).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-13700HX
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1964
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i7-13700HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and UHD Graphics (Core i7-13700HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-13700HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-9700K launched at $385 MSRP, while the Core i7-13700HX debuted at $485. On MSRP ($385 vs $485), the Core i7-9700K is $100 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 66.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-13700HX — making the Core i7-13700HX the 55.8% better value option.