Core i7-13700K vs Xeon W-1390

Intel

Core i7-13700K

16 Cores24 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon W-1390

8 Cores16 Thrd80 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2021

Popular choices:

i7-13700K

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

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +26.6% higher average FPS across 26 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Costs $85 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
  • Delivers 131.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 48.4 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

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

Xeon W-1390

2021

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 26 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (23,902 vs 45,784).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.4 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i7-13700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Xeon W-1390?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon W-1390 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 26.6% more average FPS across 26 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 91.5% better PassMark, 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 $85 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $494 MSRP, and it gives you a 26.6% average FPS lead across 26 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 131.4% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 48.4 PassMark/$), 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 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i7-13700KXeon W-1390
1080p
low284 FPS246 FPS
medium268 FPS231 FPS
high223 FPS192 FPS
ultra190 FPS165 FPS
1440p
low238 FPS217 FPS
medium200 FPS184 FPS
high159 FPS148 FPS
ultra139 FPS130 FPS
4K
low159 FPS151 FPS
medium134 FPS128 FPS
high103 FPS98 FPS
ultra90 FPS86 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i7-13700KXeon W-1390
1080p
low689 FPS406 FPS
medium580 FPS343 FPS
high484 FPS306 FPS
ultra439 FPS274 FPS
1440p
low595 FPS363 FPS
medium525 FPS315 FPS
high441 FPS278 FPS
ultra378 FPS239 FPS
4K
low348 FPS241 FPS
medium314 FPS216 FPS
high295 FPS208 FPS
ultra261 FPS176 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i7-13700KXeon W-1390
1080p
low648 FPS598 FPS
medium530 FPS527 FPS
high467 FPS453 FPS
ultra405 FPS391 FPS
1440p
low591 FPS590 FPS
medium491 FPS490 FPS
high427 FPS415 FPS
ultra371 FPS361 FPS
4K
low434 FPS421 FPS
medium374 FPS365 FPS
high339 FPS325 FPS
ultra290 FPS276 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i7-13700KXeon W-1390
1080p
low970 FPS598 FPS
medium883 FPS598 FPS
high766 FPS598 FPS
ultra689 FPS598 FPS
1440p
low829 FPS598 FPS
medium740 FPS598 FPS
high642 FPS598 FPS
ultra566 FPS552 FPS
4K
low567 FPS558 FPS
medium515 FPS506 FPS
high463 FPS452 FPS
ultra404 FPS393 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Xeon W-1390

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon W-1390

The Xeon W-1390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 23,902 points. Launch price was $494.

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon W-1390 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 5.1 GHz on the Xeon W-1390 — a 5.7% 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 W-1390 uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Xeon W-1390's 23,902 — a 62.8% lead for the Core i7-13700K. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1390.

FeatureCore i7-13700KXeon W-1390
Cores / Threads
16 / 24+100%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5.4 GHz+6%
5.1 GHz
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+21%
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
30 MB (total)+88%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)+300%
512 kB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark
45,784+92%
23,902
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 Xeon W-1390 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-13700KXeon W-1390
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-13700K) / not specified (Xeon W-1390). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon W-1390 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

FeatureCore i7-13700KXeon W-1390
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Xeon W-1390 debuted at $494. On MSRP ($409 vs $494), the Core i7-13700K is $85 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 48.4 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1390 — making the Core i7-13700K the 79.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-13700KXeon W-1390
MSRP
$409-17%
$494
Performance per Dollar
111.9+131%
48.4
Release Date
2022
2021