Core i9-13900K vs EPYC 7552

CPU

GPU

Core i9-13900K

24 Cores32 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.7 GHz2022

Popular choices:

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EPYC 7552

48 Cores96 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2019

Popular choices:

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Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i9-13900K

24 / 32

58,373

+1.7%

57,414

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

Ryzen 7 9700X

Ryzen 9 5900XT

Ryzen 9 7900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

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.

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 i9-13900K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +55.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $3,426 less on MSRP ($599 MSRP vs $4,025 MSRP).
✅Delivers 583.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 97.5 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $4,025 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 200W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 192 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7552, which brings 48 cores / 96 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7552

2019

Why buy it

✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (192 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 48 cores / 96 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (57,414 vs 58,373).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($4,025 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
❌60% higher power demand at 200W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i9-13900K

2022

EPYC 7552

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +55.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $3,426 less on MSRP ($599 MSRP vs $4,025 MSRP).
✅Delivers 583.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 97.5 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $4,025 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 200W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (192 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 48 cores / 96 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 192 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7552, which brings 48 cores / 96 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (57,414 vs 58,373).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($4,025 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
❌60% higher power demand at 200W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core i9-13900K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900K better than EPYC 7552?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7552 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-13900K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-13900K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 55.2% 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 i9-13900K is the better fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads.

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

Core i9-13900K is the smarter buy today. Core i9-13900K is $3,426 cheaper on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $4,025 MSRP, and it gives you a 55.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 583.2% better value on MSRP (97.5 vs 14.3 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13900K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of SP3, and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 48/96. 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 i9-13900K Benchmark Check

EPYC 7552 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-13900K	EPYC 7552
1080p
low	325 FPS	181 FPS
medium	314 FPS	158 FPS
high	249 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	211 FPS	100 FPS
1440p
low	281 FPS	152 FPS
medium	241 FPS	128 FPS
high	179 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	158 FPS	79 FPS
4K
low	194 FPS	71 FPS
medium	165 FPS	63 FPS
high	123 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	39 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open EPYC 7552

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-13900K	EPYC 7552
1080p
low	756 FPS	236 FPS
medium	658 FPS	211 FPS
high	529 FPS	175 FPS
ultra	474 FPS	142 FPS
1440p
low	635 FPS	194 FPS
medium	573 FPS	177 FPS
high	472 FPS	152 FPS
ultra	390 FPS	119 FPS
4K
low	355 FPS	120 FPS
medium	324 FPS	112 FPS
high	304 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	270 FPS	81 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open EPYC 7552

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-13900K	EPYC 7552
1080p
low	765 FPS	587 FPS
medium	628 FPS	492 FPS
high	545 FPS	437 FPS
ultra	468 FPS	365 FPS
1440p
low	683 FPS	492 FPS
medium	570 FPS	419 FPS
high	488 FPS	374 FPS
ultra	426 FPS	318 FPS
4K
low	503 FPS	371 FPS
medium	441 FPS	298 FPS
high	394 FPS	265 FPS
ultra	336 FPS	215 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open EPYC 7552

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-13900K	EPYC 7552
1080p
low	1034 FPS	889 FPS
medium	926 FPS	809 FPS
high	812 FPS	694 FPS
ultra	722 FPS	601 FPS
1440p
low	859 FPS	703 FPS
medium	757 FPS	615 FPS
high	663 FPS	525 FPS
ultra	582 FPS	446 FPS
4K
low	634 FPS	498 FPS
medium	568 FPS	448 FPS
high	503 FPS	394 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	340 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open EPYC 7552

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-13900K and EPYC 7552

Core i9-13900K

The Core i9-13900K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 58,373 points. Launch price was $589.

EPYC 7552

The EPYC 7552 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 192 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 57,414 points. Launch price was $4,025.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-13900K packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the EPYC 7552 offers 48 cores / 96 threads — the EPYC 7552 has 24 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.7 GHz on the Core i9-13900K versus 3.3 GHz on the EPYC 7552 — a 53.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900K (base: 3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i9-13900K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 7552 uses Zen 2 (2017−2020) (7 nm, 14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900K scores 58,373 against the EPYC 7552's 57,414 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i9-13900K. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900K vs 192 MB (total) on the EPYC 7552.

Feature	Core i9-13900K	EPYC 7552
Cores / Threads	24 / 32	48 / 96+100%
Boost Clock	5.7 GHz+73%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+36%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	192 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Zen 2 (2017−2020)
PassMark	58,373+2%	57,414
Cinebench R23 Multi	40,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,985	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	19,967	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 7552 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-13900K versus 3200 on the EPYC 7552 — the EPYC 7552 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7552 supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 192 GB — 182.1% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-13900K) vs 8 (EPYC 7552). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13900K) vs 128 (EPYC 7552) — the EPYC 7552 offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z790,Intel Z690 (Core i9-13900K) and SP3 (EPYC 7552).

Feature	Core i9-13900K	EPYC 7552
Socket	LGA1700	SP3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	3200+63900%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+4915100%	4096
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	128+540%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-13900K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i9-13900K) vs VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 7552). The Core i9-13900K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 7552 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: EPYC 7552 rivals Xeon Platinum 8362.

Feature	Core i9-13900K	EPYC 7552
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-13900K launched at $599 MSRP, while the EPYC 7552 debuted at $4025. On MSRP ($599 vs $4025), the Core i9-13900K is $3426 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900K delivers 97.5 pts/$ vs 14.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 7552 — making the Core i9-13900K the 148.9% better value option.