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

✅Costs $140 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Delivers 43.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 77.8 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.

Core i9-13900T

2023

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (42,735 vs 45,784).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 77.8 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Core i7-13700K

2022

Core i9-13900T

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $140 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Delivers 43.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 77.8 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (42,735 vs 45,784).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 77.8 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Core i9-13900T?

Yes. Core i7-13700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 7.1% better PassMark, 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 2.4% 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 7.1% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i7-13700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-13700K is $140 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $549 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 43.8% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 77.8 PassMark/$), 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 i9-13900T is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) 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 i7-13700K Benchmark Check

Core i9-13900T Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900T
1080p
low	284 FPS	321 FPS
medium	268 FPS	311 FPS
high	223 FPS	247 FPS
ultra	190 FPS	209 FPS
1440p
low	238 FPS	278 FPS
medium	200 FPS	240 FPS
high	159 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	192 FPS
medium	134 FPS	164 FPS
high	103 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	112 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-13900T

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900T
1080p
low	689 FPS	401 FPS
medium	580 FPS	350 FPS
high	484 FPS	286 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	252 FPS
1440p
low	595 FPS	341 FPS
medium	525 FPS	306 FPS
high	441 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	207 FPS
4K
low	348 FPS	191 FPS
medium	314 FPS	174 FPS
high	295 FPS	166 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	145 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-13900T

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900T
1080p
low	648 FPS	761 FPS
medium	530 FPS	625 FPS
high	467 FPS	542 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	466 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	677 FPS
medium	491 FPS	565 FPS
high	427 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	371 FPS	421 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	495 FPS
medium	374 FPS	428 FPS
high	339 FPS	381 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	328 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-13900T

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900T
1080p
low	970 FPS	1004 FPS
medium	883 FPS	897 FPS
high	766 FPS	785 FPS
ultra	689 FPS	698 FPS
1440p
low	829 FPS	833 FPS
medium	740 FPS	733 FPS
high	642 FPS	640 FPS
ultra	566 FPS	562 FPS
4K
low	567 FPS	615 FPS
medium	515 FPS	550 FPS
high	463 FPS	487 FPS
ultra	404 FPS	426 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-13900T

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Core i9-13900T

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 i9-13900T

The Core i9-13900T 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 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 42,735 points. Launch price was $549.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i9-13900T offers 24 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900T has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 5.3 GHz on the Core i9-13900T — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-13900T uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Core i9-13900T's 42,735 — a 6.9% lead for the Core i7-13700K. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900T.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900T
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	24 / 32+50%
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+2%	5.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+209%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	36 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	45,784+7%	42,735
Cinebench R23 Multi	31,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,846	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,980	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700K versus 5600 on the Core i9-13900T — the Core i9-13900T supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. 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 Raptor Lake-HX (Core i9-13900T).

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	5600+111900%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+104857500%	192
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-13900T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13900T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-13700K) and Intel UHD Graphics (Core i9-13900T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X; Core i9-13900T rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-13900T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics
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 i9-13900T debuted at $549. On MSRP ($409 vs $549), the Core i7-13700K is $140 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 77.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-13900T — making the Core i7-13700K the 35.9% better value option.