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 i9-12900K

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +31.4% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).
❌
6.3% HIGHER MSRP
$589 MSRPvs$554 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Core i9-13900E

2023

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Costs $35 less on MSRP ($554 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900K across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (40,476 vs 41,180).

Core i9-12900K

2021

Core i9-13900E

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +31.4% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Costs $35 less on MSRP ($554 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).
❌
6.3% HIGHER MSRP
$589 MSRPvs$554 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12900K across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (40,476 vs 41,180).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900K better than Core i9-13900E?

Yes. Core i9-12900K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 31.4% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.7% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 31.4% more average FPS across 2 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12900K is the better fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i9-12900K is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-13900E makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-12900K is 6.3% more expensive on MSRP at $589 MSRP versus $554 MSRP, and it gives you a 31.4% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-13900E is also 4.5% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 69.9 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core i9-13900E is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 i9-12900K Benchmark Check

Core i9-13900E Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-12900K	Core i9-13900E
1080p
low	272 FPS	305 FPS
medium	261 FPS	288 FPS
high	215 FPS	234 FPS
ultra	185 FPS	199 FPS
1440p
low	233 FPS	268 FPS
medium	199 FPS	229 FPS
high	159 FPS	174 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	154 FPS
4K
low	160 FPS	184 FPS
medium	137 FPS	157 FPS
high	106 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	94 FPS	106 FPS

Open Core i9-12900K Open Core i9-13900E

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-12900K	Core i9-13900E
1080p
low	636 FPS	412 FPS
medium	540 FPS	360 FPS
high	452 FPS	293 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	257 FPS
1440p
low	545 FPS	350 FPS
medium	482 FPS	314 FPS
high	407 FPS	261 FPS
ultra	353 FPS	210 FPS
4K
low	321 FPS	197 FPS
medium	290 FPS	179 FPS
high	275 FPS	170 FPS
ultra	244 FPS	146 FPS

Open Core i9-12900K Open Core i9-13900E

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-12900K	Core i9-13900E
1080p
low	776 FPS	1012 FPS
medium	620 FPS	1012 FPS
high	541 FPS	977 FPS
ultra	460 FPS	838 FPS
1440p
low	692 FPS	991 FPS
medium	560 FPS	881 FPS
high	484 FPS	793 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	499 FPS	599 FPS
medium	418 FPS	519 FPS
high	379 FPS	463 FPS
ultra	320 FPS	396 FPS

Open Core i9-12900K Open Core i9-13900E

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-12900K	Core i9-13900E
1080p
low	900 FPS	1012 FPS
medium	817 FPS	1012 FPS
high	706 FPS	935 FPS
ultra	637 FPS	810 FPS
1440p
low	778 FPS	1010 FPS
medium	693 FPS	881 FPS
high	598 FPS	761 FPS
ultra	529 FPS	651 FPS
4K
low	534 FPS	756 FPS
medium	483 FPS	662 FPS
high	432 FPS	578 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i9-12900K Open Core i9-13900E

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-12900K and Core i9-13900E

Core i9-12900K

The Core i9-12900K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 41,180 points. Launch price was $589.

Core i9-13900E

The Core i9-13900E 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 36 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: 40,476 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-12900K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i9-13900E offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900E has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-12900K versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-13900E — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.2 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i9-12900K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-13900E uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900K scores 41,180 against the Core i9-13900E's 40,476 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i9-12900K. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900E.

Feature	Core i9-12900K	Core i9-13900E
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	24 / 32+50%
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz	5.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+78%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	41,180+2%	40,476
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,606
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i9-12900K) and W680,Q670,Z790,H770 (Core i9-13900E).

Feature	Core i9-12900K	Core i9-13900E
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-12900K) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13900E). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12900K) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900E targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i9-12900K	Core i9-13900E
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-12900K launched at $589 MSRP, while the Core i9-13900E debuted at $554. On MSRP ($589 vs $554), the Core i9-13900E is $35 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900K delivers 69.9 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-13900E — making the Core i9-13900E the 4.4% better value option.