Core i7-9700K vs Core i9-13900H

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 i7-9700K vs Core i9-13900H 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 i7-9700K vs Core i9-13900H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $232 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $617 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i9-13900H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 27,444).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 44.5 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $617 MSRP).
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900H moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Core i9-13900H

2023

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 18.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.5 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($617 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌
60.3% HIGHER MSRP
$617 MSRPvs$385 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900H better than Core i7-9700K?

Yes. Core i9-13900H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 90.6% 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, Core i9-13900H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.0% 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 i9-13900H is the stronger fit. You are getting 90.6% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-13900H is the better buy right now. Core i9-13900H comes in 60.3% more expensive on MSRP at $617 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 18.9% better value on MSRP (44.5 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i9-13900H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 8/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-9700K vs Core i9-13900H Technical Specifications

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

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 i9-13900H

The Core i9-13900H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 27,444 points. Launch price was $617.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i9-13900H offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-13900H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13900H — a 9.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900H (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-13900H uses Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core i9-13900H's 27,444 — a 62.4% lead for the Core i9-13900H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900H.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-13900H
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	14 / 20+75%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5.4 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+38%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)
PassMark	14,397	27,444+91%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-13900H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-13900H
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) / not specified (Core i9-13900H). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i9-13900H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-13900H
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Core i9-13900H came in at $617. On launch pricing ($385 vs $617), Core i7-9700K was $232 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 44.5 pts/$ for the Core i9-13900H — making the Core i9-13900H the 17.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-13900H
MSRP	$385-38%	$617
Performance per Dollar	37.4	44.5+19%
Release Date	2018	2023

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