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: +20.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Costs $159 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).
✅Delivers 128.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 48.9 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Xeon E-2478 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌56.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 80W.

Xeon E-2478

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 80W instead of 125W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (27,776 vs 45,784).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.9 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($568 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-13700K

2022

Xeon E-2478

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Costs $159 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).
✅Delivers 128.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 48.9 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Xeon E-2478 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Draws 80W instead of 125W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌56.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 80W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (27,776 vs 45,784).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.9 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($568 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌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 Xeon E-2478?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon E-2478 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-13700K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

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 20.7% 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 64.8% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 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 $159 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $568 MSRP, and it gives you a 20.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 128.9% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 48.9 PassMark/$), 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?

Xeon E-2478 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). 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

Xeon E-2478 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E-2478
1080p
low	284 FPS	257 FPS
medium	268 FPS	246 FPS
high	223 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	190 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	238 FPS	222 FPS
medium	200 FPS	190 FPS
high	159 FPS	152 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	133 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	153 FPS
medium	134 FPS	130 FPS
high	103 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	88 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Xeon E-2478

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E-2478
1080p
low	689 FPS	616 FPS
medium	580 FPS	522 FPS
high	484 FPS	443 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	404 FPS
1440p
low	595 FPS	533 FPS
medium	525 FPS	467 FPS
high	441 FPS	398 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	342 FPS
4K
low	348 FPS	313 FPS
medium	314 FPS	280 FPS
high	295 FPS	267 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	232 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Xeon E-2478

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E-2478
1080p
low	648 FPS	646 FPS
medium	530 FPS	529 FPS
high	467 FPS	466 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	404 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	588 FPS
medium	491 FPS	489 FPS
high	427 FPS	425 FPS
ultra	371 FPS	369 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	424 FPS
medium	374 FPS	369 FPS
high	339 FPS	335 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	285 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Xeon E-2478

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E-2478
1080p
low	970 FPS	694 FPS
medium	883 FPS	694 FPS
high	766 FPS	694 FPS
ultra	689 FPS	652 FPS
1440p
low	829 FPS	694 FPS
medium	740 FPS	694 FPS
high	642 FPS	608 FPS
ultra	566 FPS	535 FPS
4K
low	567 FPS	536 FPS
medium	515 FPS	490 FPS
high	463 FPS	438 FPS
ultra	404 FPS	382 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Xeon E-2478

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Xeon E-2478

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.

Xeon E-2478

The Xeon E-2478 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 27,776 points. Launch price was $568.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E-2478 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 Xeon E-2478 — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E-2478 uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Xeon E-2478's 27,776 — a 49% lead for the Core i7-13700K. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2478.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E-2478
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+100%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+4%	5.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+21%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+25%	24 MB (total)
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+65%	27,776
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. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. 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.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E-2478
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-13700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E-2478). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon E-2478 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E-2478 targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E-2478
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Xeon E-2478 debuted at $568. On MSRP ($409 vs $568), the Core i7-13700K is $159 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 48.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E-2478 — making the Core i7-13700K the 78.4% better value option.