Core i7-4930K vs Core i7-13700K

Intel

Core i7-4930K

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2013

Popular choices:

i7-13700K
VS
Intel

Core i7-13700K

16 Cores24 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 i7-4930K

2013

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (9,379 vs 45,784).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($670 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
    • Older platform position on LGA2011, while Core i7-13700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

    Core i7-13700K

    2022

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +76.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • +150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
    • Costs $261 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $670 MSRP).
    • Delivers 699.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $670 MSRP).
    • Draws 125W instead of 130W, a 5W reduction.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i7-13700K better than Core i7-4930K?
    Yes. Core i7-13700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 76.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 388.2% 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 i7-13700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 76.7% 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 i7-13700K is the better fit. You are getting 388.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Core i7-13700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-13700K is $261 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $670 MSRP, and it gives you a 76.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 699.7% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-13700K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2013), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. 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.

    Path of Exile 2

    Path of Exile 2

    PresetCore i7-4930KCore i7-13700K
    1080p
    low168 FPS284 FPS
    medium144 FPS268 FPS
    high116 FPS223 FPS
    ultra95 FPS190 FPS
    1440p
    low141 FPS238 FPS
    medium118 FPS200 FPS
    high93 FPS159 FPS
    ultra76 FPS139 FPS
    4K
    low64 FPS159 FPS
    medium57 FPS134 FPS
    high45 FPS103 FPS
    ultra35 FPS90 FPS
    Counter-Strike 2

    Counter-Strike 2

    PresetCore i7-4930KCore i7-13700K
    1080p
    low212 FPS689 FPS
    medium186 FPS580 FPS
    high171 FPS484 FPS
    ultra139 FPS439 FPS
    1440p
    low189 FPS595 FPS
    medium164 FPS525 FPS
    high152 FPS441 FPS
    ultra128 FPS378 FPS
    4K
    low163 FPS348 FPS
    medium143 FPS314 FPS
    high128 FPS295 FPS
    ultra95 FPS261 FPS
    League of Legends

    League of Legends

    PresetCore i7-4930KCore i7-13700K
    1080p
    low234 FPS648 FPS
    medium234 FPS530 FPS
    high234 FPS467 FPS
    ultra234 FPS405 FPS
    1440p
    low234 FPS591 FPS
    medium234 FPS491 FPS
    high234 FPS427 FPS
    ultra234 FPS371 FPS
    4K
    low234 FPS434 FPS
    medium234 FPS374 FPS
    high234 FPS339 FPS
    ultra234 FPS290 FPS
    Valorant

    Valorant

    PresetCore i7-4930KCore i7-13700K
    1080p
    low234 FPS970 FPS
    medium234 FPS883 FPS
    high234 FPS766 FPS
    ultra234 FPS689 FPS
    1440p
    low234 FPS829 FPS
    medium234 FPS740 FPS
    high234 FPS642 FPS
    ultra234 FPS566 FPS
    4K
    low234 FPS567 FPS
    medium234 FPS515 FPS
    high234 FPS463 FPS
    ultra234 FPS404 FPS

    Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4930K and Core i7-13700K

    Intel

    Core i7-4930K

    The Core i7-4930K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,379 points. Launch price was $670.

    Intel

    Core i7-13700K

    The Core i7-13700K 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 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: 45,784 points. Launch price was $409.

    Processing Power

    The Core i7-4930K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-13700K offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4930K versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-4930K uses the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-13700K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4930K scores 9,379 against the Core i7-13700K's 45,784 — a 132% lead for the Core i7-13700K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-4930K vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K.

    FeatureCore i7-4930KCore i7-13700K
    Cores / Threads
    6 / 12
    16 / 24+167%
    Boost Clock
    3.9 GHz
    5.4 GHz+38%
    Base Clock
    3.4 GHz
    3.4 GHz
    L3 Cache
    12 MB (total)
    30 MB (total)+150%
    L2 Cache
    256 kB (per core)
    2 MB (per core)+700%
    Process
    22 nm
    Intel 7 nm-68%
    Architecture
    Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
    Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
    PassMark
    9,379
    45,784+388%
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    31,000
    Geekbench 6 Single
    2,846
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    18,980
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i7-4930K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-13700K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i7-4930KCore i7-13700K
    Socket
    LGA2011
    LGA1700
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 5.0+67%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-5600
    Max RAM Capacity
    192 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    20
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4930K) / true (Core i7-13700K). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i7-4930K requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

    FeatureCore i7-4930KCore i7-13700K
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Unlocked
    Yes
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    true
    💰

    Value Analysis

    The Core i7-4930K launched at $670 MSRP, while the Core i7-13700K debuted at $409. On MSRP ($670 vs $409), the Core i7-13700K is $261 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4930K delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 111.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-13700K — making the Core i7-13700K the 155.5% better value option.

    FeatureCore i7-4930KCore i7-13700K
    MSRP
    $670
    $409-39%
    Performance per Dollar
    14.0
    111.9+699%
    Release Date
    2013
    2022