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 i7-12700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $190 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 58,373).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 84.0 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Core i9-13900K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Delivers 16.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 97.5 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌
46.5% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$409 MSRP

Core i7-12700K

2021

Core i9-13900K

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $190 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Delivers 16.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 97.5 vs 84.0 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (34,347 vs 58,373).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 84.0 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌
46.5% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$409 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900K better than Core i7-12700K?

Yes. Core i9-13900K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 70% 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 i9-13900K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 9.3% 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 i9-13900K is the better fit. You are getting 70% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Core i9-13900K is the smarter buy today. Core i9-13900K is 46.5% more expensive on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it gives you a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 16.0% better value on MSRP (97.5 vs 84.0 PassMark/$), 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 2021), 44% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 12/20. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 i7-12700K Benchmark Check

Core i9-13900K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900K
1080p
low	314 FPS	325 FPS
medium	295 FPS	314 FPS
high	246 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	211 FPS
1440p
low	269 FPS	281 FPS
medium	225 FPS	241 FPS
high	182 FPS	179 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	194 FPS
medium	142 FPS	165 FPS
high	109 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	112 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-13900K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900K
1080p
low	630 FPS	756 FPS
medium	533 FPS	658 FPS
high	450 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	410 FPS	474 FPS
1440p
low	536 FPS	635 FPS
medium	475 FPS	573 FPS
high	403 FPS	472 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	390 FPS
4K
low	312 FPS	355 FPS
medium	280 FPS	324 FPS
high	266 FPS	304 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	270 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-13900K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900K
1080p
low	797 FPS	765 FPS
medium	633 FPS	628 FPS
high	556 FPS	545 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	468 FPS
1440p
low	704 FPS	683 FPS
medium	565 FPS	570 FPS
high	490 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	426 FPS
4K
low	510 FPS	503 FPS
medium	425 FPS	441 FPS
high	381 FPS	394 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	336 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-13900K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900K
1080p
low	859 FPS	1034 FPS
medium	802 FPS	926 FPS
high	699 FPS	812 FPS
ultra	628 FPS	722 FPS
1440p
low	760 FPS	859 FPS
medium	678 FPS	757 FPS
high	590 FPS	663 FPS
ultra	519 FPS	582 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	634 FPS
medium	488 FPS	568 FPS
high	437 FPS	503 FPS
ultra	384 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i7-12700K Open Core i9-13900K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12700K and Core i9-13900K

Core i7-12700K

The Core i7-12700K 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 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 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: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-13900K offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900K has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 5.7 GHz on the Core i9-13900K — a 13.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-12700K uses the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-13900K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the Core i9-13900K's 58,373 — a 51.8% lead for the Core i9-13900K. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Core i7-12700K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900K.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900K
Cores / Threads	12 / 20	24 / 32+100%
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.7 GHz+14%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+20%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+44%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
PassMark	34,347	58,373+70%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	40,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,985
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	19,967

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Core i7-12700K versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-13900K — the Core i7-12700K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13900K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z690,B660 (Core i7-12700K) and Intel Z790,Intel Z690 (Core i9-13900K).

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	4800+95900%	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	128	192 GB+157286300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) vs true (Core i9-13900K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-12700K) and Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i7-12700K	Core i9-13900K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-12700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Core i9-13900K debuted at $599. On MSRP ($409 vs $599), the Core i7-12700K is $190 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-12700K delivers 84.0 pts/$ vs 97.5 pts/$ for the Core i9-13900K — making the Core i9-13900K the 14.9% better value option.