
Core i7-13700K
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EPYC 9354
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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 i7-13700K
2022Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $3,011 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $3,420 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 418.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $3,420 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 125W instead of 280W, a 155W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 9354 needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark (45,784 vs 73,892).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 256 MB).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9354, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
EPYC 9354
2022Why buy it
- ✅+61.4% higher PassMark.
- ✅+753.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 30 MB).
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
- ✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.6 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($3,420 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
- ❌124% higher power demand at 280W vs 125W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Core i7-13700K
2022EPYC 9354
2022Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $3,011 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $3,420 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 418.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $3,420 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 125W instead of 280W, a 155W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while EPYC 9354 needs a discrete GPU.
Why buy it
- ✅+61.4% higher PassMark.
- ✅+753.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 30 MB).
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
- ✅540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark (45,784 vs 73,892).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 256 MB).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9354, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.6 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($3,420 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
- ❌124% higher power demand at 280W vs 125W.
- ❌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 EPYC 9354?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Games Benchmarks
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
| Preset | Core i7-13700K | EPYC 9354 |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 284 FPS | 176 FPS |
| medium | 268 FPS | 145 FPS |
| high | 223 FPS | 125 FPS |
| ultra | 190 FPS | 96 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 238 FPS | 153 FPS |
| medium | 200 FPS | 123 FPS |
| high | 159 FPS | 99 FPS |
| ultra | 139 FPS | 77 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 159 FPS | 71 FPS |
| medium | 134 FPS | 60 FPS |
| high | 103 FPS | 47 FPS |
| ultra | 90 FPS | 39 FPS |

Counter-Strike 2
| Preset | Core i7-13700K | EPYC 9354 |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 689 FPS | 534 FPS |
| medium | 580 FPS | 466 FPS |
| high | 484 FPS | 374 FPS |
| ultra | 439 FPS | 304 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 595 FPS | 439 FPS |
| medium | 525 FPS | 392 FPS |
| high | 441 FPS | 324 FPS |
| ultra | 378 FPS | 255 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 348 FPS | 270 FPS |
| medium | 314 FPS | 246 FPS |
| high | 295 FPS | 216 FPS |
| ultra | 261 FPS | 179 FPS |

League of Legends
| Preset | Core i7-13700K | EPYC 9354 |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 648 FPS | 673 FPS |
| medium | 530 FPS | 562 FPS |
| high | 467 FPS | 523 FPS |
| ultra | 405 FPS | 455 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 591 FPS | 511 FPS |
| medium | 491 FPS | 426 FPS |
| high | 427 FPS | 390 FPS |
| ultra | 371 FPS | 337 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 434 FPS | 377 FPS |
| medium | 374 FPS | 295 FPS |
| high | 339 FPS | 263 FPS |
| ultra | 290 FPS | 211 FPS |

Valorant
| Preset | Core i7-13700K | EPYC 9354 |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 970 FPS | 937 FPS |
| medium | 883 FPS | 856 FPS |
| high | 766 FPS | 735 FPS |
| ultra | 689 FPS | 648 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 829 FPS | 751 FPS |
| medium | 740 FPS | 658 FPS |
| high | 642 FPS | 561 FPS |
| ultra | 566 FPS | 480 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 567 FPS | 539 FPS |
| medium | 515 FPS | 484 FPS |
| high | 463 FPS | 423 FPS |
| ultra | 404 FPS | 366 FPS |
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and EPYC 9354

Core i7-13700K
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.

EPYC 9354
EPYC 9354
The EPYC 9354 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 3.25 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 73,892 points. Launch price was $3,420.
Processing Power
The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the EPYC 9354 offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the EPYC 9354 has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 9354 — a 34.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.25 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 9354 uses Genoa (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the EPYC 9354's 73,892 — a 47% lead for the EPYC 9354. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 9354.
| Feature | Core i7-13700K | EPYC 9354 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 24 | 32 / 64+100% |
| Boost Clock | 5.4 GHz+42% | 3.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+5% | 3.25 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 30 MB (total) | 256 MB (total)+753% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+100% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 5 nm, 6 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) | Genoa (2022−2023) |
| PassMark | 45,784 | 73,892+61% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 31,000 | — |
| 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 EPYC 9354 uses SP5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700K versus 4800 on the EPYC 9354 — the EPYC 9354 supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9354 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 192 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-13700K) vs 12 (EPYC 9354). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700K) vs 128 (EPYC 9354) — the EPYC 9354 offers 108 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 SP5 (EPYC 9354).
| Feature | Core i7-13700K | EPYC 9354 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | SP5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5600 | 4800+95900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 192 GB+3276700% | 6144 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 12+500% |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 128+540% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-13700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the EPYC 9354 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9354). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the EPYC 9354 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X; EPYC 9354 rivals Xeon Platinum 8468.
| Feature | Core i7-13700K | EPYC 9354 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | None |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d, SEV-SNP |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the EPYC 9354 debuted at $3420. On MSRP ($409 vs $3420), the Core i7-13700K is $3011 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 21.6 pts/$ for the EPYC 9354 — making the Core i7-13700K the 135.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-13700K | EPYC 9354 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $409-88% | $3420 |
| Performance per Dollar | 111.9+418% | 21.6 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2022 |
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