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 i7-13700K

2022

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $104 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Delivers 133.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 47.9 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i9-11900KF needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core i9-11900KF

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,500 vs 31,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.9 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-13700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-13700K

2022

Core i9-11900KF

2021

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $104 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Delivers 133.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 47.9 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Core i9-11900KF needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

Trade-offs

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,500 vs 31,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.9 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-13700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Core i9-11900KF?

Yes. Core i7-13700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 100% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 86.2% higher 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 1.6% 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 100% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 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 $104 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $513 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 133.6% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 47.9 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i9-11900KF can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/16. 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 i7-13700K Benchmark Check

Core i9-11900KF Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-11900KF
1080p
low	284 FPS	295 FPS
medium	268 FPS	261 FPS
high	223 FPS	220 FPS
ultra	190 FPS	189 FPS
1440p
low	238 FPS	242 FPS
medium	200 FPS	192 FPS
high	159 FPS	157 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	139 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	167 FPS
medium	134 FPS	135 FPS
high	103 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	91 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-11900KF

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-11900KF
1080p
low	689 FPS	615 FPS
medium	580 FPS	527 FPS
high	484 FPS	457 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	407 FPS
1440p
low	595 FPS	601 FPS
medium	525 FPS	490 FPS
high	441 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	362 FPS
4K
low	348 FPS	401 FPS
medium	314 FPS	339 FPS
high	295 FPS	320 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	275 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-11900KF

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-11900KF
1080p
low	648 FPS	615 FPS
medium	530 FPS	615 FPS
high	467 FPS	615 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	563 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	615 FPS
medium	491 FPS	615 FPS
high	427 FPS	543 FPS
ultra	371 FPS	464 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	577 FPS
medium	374 FPS	480 FPS
high	339 FPS	427 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	357 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-11900KF

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-11900KF
1080p
low	970 FPS	615 FPS
medium	883 FPS	615 FPS
high	766 FPS	615 FPS
ultra	689 FPS	615 FPS
1440p
low	829 FPS	615 FPS
medium	740 FPS	615 FPS
high	642 FPS	615 FPS
ultra	566 FPS	615 FPS
4K
low	567 FPS	615 FPS
medium	515 FPS	565 FPS
high	463 FPS	512 FPS
ultra	404 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-11900KF

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Core i9-11900KF

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.

Core i9-11900KF

The Core i9-11900KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 24,585 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i9-11900KF offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-11900KF — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-11900KF uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Core i9-11900KF's 24,585 — a 60.3% lead for the Core i7-13700K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 31,000 vs 15,500 (66.7% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KF.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-11900KF
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+100%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+4%	5.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+88%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+700%	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	45,784+86%	24,585
Cinebench R23 Multi	31,000+100%	15,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,846	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,980	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-11900KF uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700K versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-11900KF — the Core i7-13700K supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13700K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K) and Z590,B560 (Core i9-11900KF).

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-11900KF
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-11900KF supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KF). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i9-11900KF requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-11900KF
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Core i9-11900KF debuted at $513. On MSRP ($409 vs $513), the Core i7-13700K is $104 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 47.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900KF — making the Core i7-13700K the 80.1% better value option.