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

✅Better for gaming: +15.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+55.8% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $580 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Delivers 411.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 21.9 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 165W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i9-9900X

2018

Why buy it

✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (13,985 vs 31,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.9 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($989 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌32% higher power demand at 165W vs 125W.

Core i7-13700K

2022

Core i9-9900X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+55.8% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $580 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Delivers 411.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 21.9 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 165W, a 40W reduction.

Why buy it

✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (13,985 vs 31,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.9 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($989 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌32% higher power demand at 165W vs 125W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Core i9-9900X?

Yes. Core i7-13700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 15.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 121.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 111.4% 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 15.5% 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 121.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 55.8% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 19 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 $580 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $989 MSRP, and it gives you a 15.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 411.2% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 21.9 PassMark/$), 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 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, 55.8% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 19 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 10/20. 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 i9-9900X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-9900X
1080p
low	284 FPS	178 FPS
medium	268 FPS	143 FPS
high	223 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	190 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	238 FPS	148 FPS
medium	200 FPS	117 FPS
high	159 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	78 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	81 FPS
medium	134 FPS	69 FPS
high	103 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	43 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-9900X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-9900X
1080p
low	689 FPS	516 FPS
medium	580 FPS	431 FPS
high	484 FPS	360 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	323 FPS
1440p
low	595 FPS	447 FPS
medium	525 FPS	384 FPS
high	441 FPS	323 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	279 FPS
4K
low	348 FPS	278 FPS
medium	314 FPS	239 FPS
high	295 FPS	220 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	192 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-9900X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-9900X
1080p
low	648 FPS	541 FPS
medium	530 FPS	541 FPS
high	467 FPS	541 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	527 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	541 FPS
medium	491 FPS	518 FPS
high	427 FPS	469 FPS
ultra	371 FPS	407 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	458 FPS
medium	374 FPS	363 FPS
high	339 FPS	328 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	262 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-9900X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-9900X
1080p
low	970 FPS	541 FPS
medium	883 FPS	541 FPS
high	766 FPS	541 FPS
ultra	689 FPS	541 FPS
1440p
low	829 FPS	541 FPS
medium	740 FPS	541 FPS
high	642 FPS	541 FPS
ultra	566 FPS	541 FPS
4K
low	567 FPS	541 FPS
medium	515 FPS	541 FPS
high	463 FPS	506 FPS
ultra	404 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core i9-9900X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Core i9-9900X

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 i9-9900X

The Core i9-9900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 21,655 points. Launch price was $989.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i9-9900X offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9900X — a 18.2% 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 i9-9900X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Core i9-9900X's 21,655 — a 71.6% lead for the Core i7-13700K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 31,000 vs 13,985 (75.6% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,846 vs 1,459, a 64.4% lead for the Core i7-13700K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,980 vs 9,475 (66.8% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900X.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-9900X
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+60%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+20%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+56%	19.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	45,784+111%	21,655
Cinebench R23 Multi	31,000+122%	13,985
Geekbench 6 Single	2,846+95%	1,459
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,980+100%	9,475

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9900X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700K versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9900X — 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. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-13700K) vs 4 (Core i9-9900X). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700K) vs 44 (Core i9-9900X) — the Core i9-9900X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K) and X299 (Core i9-9900X).

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-9900X
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+25%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	44+120%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-9900X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900X). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i9-9900X requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core i9-9900X
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 i9-9900X debuted at $989. On MSRP ($409 vs $989), the Core i7-13700K is $580 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 21.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900X — making the Core i7-13700K the 134.6% better value option.