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 $169 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900TE across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 20,602).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 36 MB).
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900TE moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i9-13900TE

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
43.9% HIGHER MSRP
$554 MSRPvs$385 MSRP

Core i7-9700K

2018

Core i9-13900TE

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $169 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900TE across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 20,602).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 36 MB).
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900TE moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌
43.9% HIGHER MSRP
$554 MSRPvs$385 MSRP

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i9-13900TE is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 25.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 43.1% 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 i9-13900TE is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 25.4% 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 i9-13900TE is the better fit. You are getting 43.1% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-13900TE is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i9-13900TE is 43.9% more expensive on MSRP at $554 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it gives you a 25.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 0.6% better value on paper (37.4 vs 37.2 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i9-13900TE is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 200% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 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 i9-13900TE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-13900TE
1080p
low	308 FPS	306 FPS
medium	278 FPS	288 FPS
high	231 FPS	235 FPS
ultra	182 FPS	199 FPS
1440p
low	270 FPS	268 FPS
medium	221 FPS	229 FPS
high	178 FPS	174 FPS
ultra	143 FPS	154 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	184 FPS
medium	140 FPS	157 FPS
high	108 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	106 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-13900TE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-13900TE
1080p
low	360 FPS	415 FPS
medium	321 FPS	363 FPS
high	291 FPS	296 FPS
ultra	259 FPS	259 FPS
1440p
low	324 FPS	352 FPS
medium	282 FPS	316 FPS
high	258 FPS	263 FPS
ultra	225 FPS	212 FPS
4K
low	249 FPS	198 FPS
medium	221 FPS	180 FPS
high	208 FPS	171 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	146 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-13900TE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-13900TE
1080p
low	360 FPS	515 FPS
medium	360 FPS	515 FPS
high	360 FPS	515 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	483 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	515 FPS
medium	360 FPS	515 FPS
high	360 FPS	498 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	427 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	510 FPS
medium	360 FPS	429 FPS
high	360 FPS	380 FPS
ultra	318 FPS	321 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-13900TE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-13900TE
1080p
low	360 FPS	515 FPS
medium	360 FPS	515 FPS
high	360 FPS	515 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	515 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	515 FPS
medium	360 FPS	515 FPS
high	360 FPS	515 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	515 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	515 FPS
medium	360 FPS	515 FPS
high	360 FPS	498 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-13900TE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-9700K and Core i9-13900TE

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 i9-13900TE

The Core i9-13900TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 20,602 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i9-13900TE offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900TE has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-13900TE — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900TE (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-13900TE uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core i9-13900TE's 20,602 — a 35.5% lead for the Core i9-13900TE. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900TE.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-13900TE
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	24 / 32+200%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+260%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB (per core)+700%
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	14,397	20,602+43%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-13900TE uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-13900TE — the Core i9-13900TE supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 20 (Core i9-13900TE) — the Core i9-13900TE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and LGA1700 (Core i9-13900TE).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-13900TE
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-5600+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-13900TE 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 770 (Core i9-13900TE) — 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 i9-13900TE
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	No
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 i9-13900TE debuted at $554. On MSRP ($385 vs $554), the Core i7-9700K is $169 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 37.2 pts/$ for the Core i9-13900TE — making the Core i7-9700K the 0.6% better value option.