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 i7-13790F

2023

Why buy it

✅+21.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (33 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 111.1 vs 126.4 PassMark/$ ($392 MSRP vs $349 MSRP).

Ryzen 9 5900XT

2024

Why buy it

✅+93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB).
✅Costs $43 less on MSRP ($349 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 126.4 vs 111.1 PassMark/$ ($349 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,320 vs 2,815).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (22,000 vs 26,247).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-13790F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i7-13790F

2023

Ryzen 9 5900XT

2024

Why buy it

✅+21.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅+93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB).
✅Costs $43 less on MSRP ($349 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 126.4 vs 111.1 PassMark/$ ($349 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (33 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 111.1 vs 126.4 PassMark/$ ($392 MSRP vs $349 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,320 vs 2,815).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (22,000 vs 26,247).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i7-13790F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13790F better than Ryzen 9 5900XT?

Yes. Core i7-13790F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 19.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 i7-13790F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 1.0% 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 i7-13790F is the better fit. You are getting 19.3% 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 i7-13790F is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 9 5900XT makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-13790F is 12.3% more expensive on MSRP at $392 MSRP versus $349 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 9 5900XT is also 13.8% better value on MSRP (126.4 vs 111.1 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 9 5900XT can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-13790F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4 and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 16/32. 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 i7-13790F Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 5900XT Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	276 FPS	285 FPS
medium	258 FPS	260 FPS
high	214 FPS	214 FPS
ultra	183 FPS	181 FPS
1440p
low	256 FPS	261 FPS
medium	215 FPS	216 FPS
high	167 FPS	167 FPS
ultra	148 FPS	148 FPS
4K
low	173 FPS	181 FPS
medium	145 FPS	150 FPS
high	108 FPS	115 FPS
ultra	97 FPS	102 FPS

Open Core i7-13790F Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	361 FPS	667 FPS
medium	309 FPS	573 FPS
high	259 FPS	456 FPS
ultra	233 FPS	402 FPS
1440p
low	314 FPS	538 FPS
medium	278 FPS	475 FPS
high	235 FPS	398 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	325 FPS
4K
low	186 FPS	316 FPS
medium	168 FPS	280 FPS
high	160 FPS	257 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	228 FPS

Open Core i7-13790F Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	1025 FPS	839 FPS
medium	1011 FPS	667 FPS
high	933 FPS	594 FPS
ultra	803 FPS	504 FPS
1440p
low	969 FPS	665 FPS
medium	858 FPS	527 FPS
high	775 FPS	458 FPS
ultra	656 FPS	386 FPS
4K
low	588 FPS	474 FPS
medium	506 FPS	392 FPS
high	455 FPS	349 FPS
ultra	387 FPS	290 FPS

Open Core i7-13790F Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	1089 FPS	1073 FPS
medium	1015 FPS	972 FPS
high	876 FPS	850 FPS
ultra	767 FPS	766 FPS
1440p
low	960 FPS	846 FPS
medium	844 FPS	751 FPS
high	722 FPS	657 FPS
ultra	620 FPS	570 FPS
4K
low	684 FPS	622 FPS
medium	605 FPS	556 FPS
high	536 FPS	491 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	425 FPS

Open Core i7-13790F Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13790F and Ryzen 9 5900XT

Core i7-13790F

The Core i7-13790F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 43,549 points. Launch price was $441.

Ryzen 9 5900XT

The Ryzen 9 5900XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 July 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 44,105 points. Launch price was $349.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13790F packs 16 cores / 24 threads, matching the Ryzen 9 5900XT's 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i7-13790F versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900XT — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13790F (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-13790F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900XT uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13790F scores 43,549 against the Ryzen 9 5900XT's 44,105 — a 1.3% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900XT. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 26,247 vs 22,000 (17.6% advantage for the Core i7-13790F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,815 vs 2,320, a 19.3% lead for the Core i7-13790F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,673 vs 14,000 (2.4% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900XT). L3 cache: 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-13790F vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900XT.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900XT
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	16 / 32
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+8%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	33 MB (total)	64 MB+94%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm	7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	43,549	44,105+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	26,247+19%	22,000
Geekbench 6 Single	2,815+21%	2,320
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,673	14,000+2%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13790F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900XT uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13790F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900XT — the Core i7-13790F supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13790F 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: 16 (Core i7-13790F) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900XT) — the Ryzen 9 5900XT offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760 (Core i7-13790F) and X570,B550,A520,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 5900XT).

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900XT
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	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900XT has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-13790F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-13790F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900XT). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900XT targets High End Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Ryzen 9 5900XT
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	High End Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13790F launched at $392 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 5900XT debuted at $349. On MSRP ($392 vs $349), the Ryzen 9 5900XT is $43 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13790F delivers 111.1 pts/$ vs 126.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900XT — making the Ryzen 9 5900XT the 12.9% better value option.