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: +11.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 82.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 61.3 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 9 3900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 3900.

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Prism), unlike Core i7-13700K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,700 vs 31,000).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.3 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-13700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-13700K

2022

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 82.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 61.3 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 9 3900 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Prism), unlike Core i7-13700K.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 3900.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,700 vs 31,000).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.3 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-13700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌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 Ryzen 9 3900?

Yes. Core i7-13700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 11.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 75.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 49.7% 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 11.6% more average FPS across 4 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 75.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 $90 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it gives you a 11.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 82.6% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 61.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 9 3900 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/24. 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

Ryzen 9 3900 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	284 FPS	159 FPS
medium	268 FPS	130 FPS
high	223 FPS	111 FPS
ultra	190 FPS	92 FPS
1440p
low	238 FPS	144 FPS
medium	200 FPS	115 FPS
high	159 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	78 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	78 FPS
medium	134 FPS	67 FPS
high	103 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	43 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Ryzen 9 3900

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	689 FPS	534 FPS
medium	580 FPS	470 FPS
high	484 FPS	384 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	342 FPS
1440p
low	595 FPS	460 FPS
medium	525 FPS	411 FPS
high	441 FPS	347 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	289 FPS
4K
low	348 FPS	288 FPS
medium	314 FPS	261 FPS
high	295 FPS	238 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	213 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Ryzen 9 3900

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	648 FPS	709 FPS
medium	530 FPS	589 FPS
high	467 FPS	536 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	472 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	541 FPS
medium	491 FPS	448 FPS
high	427 FPS	401 FPS
ultra	371 FPS	347 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	394 FPS
medium	374 FPS	315 FPS
high	339 FPS	279 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	224 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Ryzen 9 3900

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	970 FPS	765 FPS
medium	883 FPS	765 FPS
high	766 FPS	711 FPS
ultra	689 FPS	638 FPS
1440p
low	829 FPS	725 FPS
medium	740 FPS	644 FPS
high	642 FPS	553 FPS
ultra	566 FPS	486 FPS
4K
low	567 FPS	516 FPS
medium	515 FPS	469 FPS
high	463 FPS	411 FPS
ultra	404 FPS	360 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Ryzen 9 3900

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Ryzen 9 3900

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.

Ryzen 9 3900

The Ryzen 9 3900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,588 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900 — a 22.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Ryzen 9 3900's 30,588 — a 39.8% lead for the Core i7-13700K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 31,000 vs 17,700 (54.6% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,846 vs 1,713, a 49.7% lead for the Core i7-13700K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,980 vs 10,983 (53.4% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3900.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen 9 3900
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+26%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	64 MB+113%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	45,784+50%	30,588
Cinebench R23 Multi	31,000+75%	17,700
Geekbench 6 Single	2,846+66%	1,713
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,980+73%	10,983

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700K versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3900 — 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. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700K) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 3900) — the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 4 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 X570,B550,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 3900).

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen 9 3900
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3900). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 9 3900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 3900 targets Workstation Desktop (low power). Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X; Ryzen 9 3900 rivals Core i9-9900.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Ryzen 9 3900
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Workstation Desktop (low power)

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 3900 debuted at $499. On MSRP ($409 vs $499), the Core i7-13700K is $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 61.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 3900 — making the Core i7-13700K the 58.5% better value option.