Intel’s 14th Gen Raptor Lake Refresh is a rebrand of the 13th Gen family with higher prices. Of course, there are some exceptions, most notably the Core i7-14700K which features more cores and higher clocks. Today, we’ll compare the most relevant 14th Gen chip to the 13th Gen flagship, the Core i9-13900K. The latter is the better option on paper, with more cores (20 vs. 24), more cache (33MB vs. 36MB), and higher boost clocks (5.6GHz vs 5.8GHz). It does, however, cost $140 more than the 14700K.
Intel Core i7-14700K vs i9-13900K: Specifications
| Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K | |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 20 (8P+12E) | 24 (8P+16E) |
| Threads | 28 | 32 |
| P/E Base Clock | 3.4GHz/2.5GHz | 3GHz/2.2GHz |
| P-Core Boost | 5.6GHz | 5.8GHz |
| E-Core Boost | 4.3GHz | 4.3GHz |
| L3 Cache | 33MB | 36MB |
| Base Power | 125W | 125W |
| Boost Power | 253W | 253W |
| Memory | DDR3-3200/DDR5-5600 | DDR3-3200/DDR5-5600 |
| iGPU | UHD Graphics 770 | UHD Graphics 770 |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1700 |
| Price | $401 | $541 |
| Launch Date | Q4’23 | Q4’22 |
Both CPUs have a TDP of 125W and a boost power limit of 253W. They are compatible with DDR4-3200 and DDR5-5600 memory and feature the same UHD 770 iGPU. The Core i7-14700K was launched in the last quarter of 2023, while the 13900K came out roughly a year before. The chips retail at $401 and $541, respectively.
Test Bench
- Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus Hero Z790/X670.
- Memory: 16GB x2 DDR5 6,000MT/s CL38.
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 4090 24GB FE.
- Power Supply: Corsair RM1000E.
Terms to remember
- 1% FPS: Only 1% of the recorded frame rates are lower than this. It helps ascertain the stability of the game through the most intensive scenes. A value of over 50-60 is ideal.
Intel Core i7-14700K vs i9-13900K: Gaming Benchmarks
We tested the Core i7-14700K and the Core i9-13900K across ten titles from our benchmark suite. The “Ultra” quality graphics preset was used with the resolution set to 720p to minimize GPU bottlenecks. Remember that the CPU draw calls are almost always unaffected by the resolution.
In “A Plague Tale: Requiem,” the Core i9-13900K averages 199.6 FPS versus 195 FPS on the i7-14700K. A more substantial difference can be seen in the lows, where the former scores 13 FPS higher.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 195.1 FPS | 199.6 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 129.2 FPS | 143.3 FPS |
| Average Power | 123W | 153W |
| Winner | Core i9-13900K |
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla runs better on the Core i7-14700K, averaging 223 FPS, slightly lower than the 228 FPS reported by the 13900K. However, the 14th Gen chip produces higher lows that translate to a smoother overall experience.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 222.8 FPS | 228.3 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 158.2 FPS | 154 FPS |
| Average Power | 140W | 142W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Cyberpunk 2077 performs nearly the same on the two processors, averaging 207.5 FPS and 198 FPS on the 13900K and 14700K, respectively. The lows are also identical.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 197.8 FPS | 207.5 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 132.9 FPS | 134.9 FPS |
| Average Power | 199W | 244W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Dying Light 2 runs slightly better on the Core i9-13900K, averaging 300 FPS compared to 286 FPS on the Core i7-14700K. There’s a difference of 11 FPS between the lows, but nothing you’ll be able to tell apart.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 286.1 FPS | 300.3 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 184.2 FPS | 195 FPS |
| Average Power | 162W | 185W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
F1 2022 is another game that favors the 13900K, yielding higher averages and smoother lows. We’re looking at an average of 323 FPS versus 290 FPS on the 14700K. The lows differ by 20 FPS in the 200+ range.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 290 FPS | 323 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 217 FPS | 236.6 FPS |
| Average Power | 133W | 155W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
The Callisto Protocol produces an average of 232 FPS on the 13th Gen i9, slightly higher than the 218 FPS posted by the 14th Gen i7. The lows are within the margin of error.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 218 FPS | 232 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 118.4 FPS | 123.3 FPS |
| Average Power | 117W | 155W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Hogwarts Legacy nets similar averages on the two CPUs, 147.6 FPS on the 13900K and 141 FPS on the 14700K. However, the Core i9 registers notably higher lows.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 141.3 FPS | 147.6 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 93.7 FPS | 108.7 FPS |
| Average Power | 136W | 157W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Hitman 3 runs a smidge faster on the Core i7-14700K. The averages are identical, but the Raptor Lake Refresh posts slightly higher lows.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 224.3 FPS | 224.2 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 108.6 FPS | 102.1 FPS |
| Average Power | 154W | 184W |
| Winner | Core i7-14700K | |
Ghostwire Tokyo runs a tad faster on the 13900K, averaging 229 FPS, up from 223 FPS on the 14700K. We see a similar delta in the 1% lows as well.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 110.2 FPS | 229.3 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 103.7 FPS | 110.2 FPS |
| Average Power | 135W | 155W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider averages 294 FPS on the Core i7-14700K, making it one of the few titles to prefer it over the Core i9-13900K. The lows remain well over 150 FPS, resulting in a smooth experience on both CPUs.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 294.2 FPS | 273.5 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 185.7 FPS | 169.6 FPS |
| Average Power | 147W | 162W |
| Winner | Core i7-14700K | |
The Callisto Protocol runs better on the Core i9-13900K, averaging 232 FPS, versus 218 FPS on the 14700K. The lows are almost within the margin of error.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 218 FPS | 232.3 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 118.4 FPS | 123.3 FPS |
| Average Power | 117W | 143W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Average Rasterization Performance
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 218 FPS | 236 FPS |
| Winner | Core i9-13900K |
Ray Tracing Benchmarks on the next page…
Intel Core i7-14700K vs i9-13900K: Ray Tracing Benchmarks
Ray tracing is more intensive on the CPU as well as the GPU. The draw calls per scene increase significantly for the former, while the latter has to deal with the casting, tracking, and intersection of millions of rays per frame.
A Plague Tale sees a nominal average FPS difference between the 13900K and the 14700K. However, the lows are much more stable on the former as the latter fails to hit 60.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 129 FPS | 139 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 57.3 FPS | 86.5 FPS |
| Average Power | 121W | 164W |
| Winner | Core i9-13900K |
Crysis Remastered leverages a mix of software and hardware ray tracing. It prefers the Core i9-13900K over the 14700K, with a minor delta between the two CPUs.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 182.1 FPS | 196.5 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 95.4 FPS | 111.1 FPS |
| Average Power | 122W | 128W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most well-optimized titles on PC. Interestingly, the Core i7-14700K performs better here, although the 13900K is only slightly slower with similar lows.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 144.3 FPS | 139.5 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 105.9 FPS | 104 FPS |
| Average Power | 166W | 176W |
| Winner | Core i7-14700K | |
Dying Light 2 is one of my favorite parkour-based games, with a vast open world of ruined structures, zombies, and overgrown vegetation. The Core i9-13900K is victorious in TechLand’s best open-world game, albeit with a minor lead.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 155 FPS | 165 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 128.3 FPS | 136 FPS |
| Average Power | 141W | 164W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
F1 2022 is a repeat of the previous test with averages of nearly 200 FPS on both CPUs. The lows are within four FPS on the two chips.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 177.5 FPS | 184.8 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 128 FPS | 132 FPS |
| Average Power | 121W | 155W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Ghostwire Tokyo is smoother on the Core i7-14700K, with similar lows as the 13th Gen flagship. We’ll consider it a tie, as both chips render well over 144 FPS.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 157.6 FPS | 149.6 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 86.2 FPS | 83 FPS |
| Average Power | 135W | 167W |
| Winner | Core i7-14700K | |
Hitman 3 got ray tracing as a post-launch update. Despite being a relatively dated title, it taxes even the fastest CPUs and GPUs. The Core i9-13900K marks its fifth win with considerably higher lows.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 141.3 FPS | 148.3 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 59.4 FPS | 85 FPS |
| Average Power | 156W | 186W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Hogwarts Legacy runs slightly faster on the Core i7-14700K, with averages of over 70 FPS on both processors. Their lows are within 3 FPS of one another.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 73.5 FPS | 70.3 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 49.5 FPS | 46.5 FPS |
| Average Power | 127W | 174W |
| Winner | Core i7-14700K | |
Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition was the first title to truly leverage multi-bounce ray-traced global illumination (path tracing) on a large scale. This East European title runs better on the Core i9-13900K, even though the lows are identical.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 142.4 FPS | 150.3 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 80.5 FPS | 81.9 FPS |
| Average Power | 125W | 164W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider averages 274 FPS on the Core i7-14700K, up from 260 FPS on the 13900. Like the previous games, the lows are a much affair.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 274 FPS | 259.6 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 165 FPS | 158.2 FPS |
| Average Power | 151 | 184 |
| Winner | Core i7-14700K | |
The Callisto Protocol runs poorly even on the fastest GPUs. With ray-tracing, it averages 109 FPS on the Core i9-13900K and 104 FPS on the 14700K. The lows are within the margin of error.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 103.7 FPS | 109 FPS |
| 1% Lows | 82 FPS | 80.3 FPS |
| Average Power | 106W | 125W |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Average Ray Tracing Performance
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Average Framerate | 152.76 FPS | 155.63 FPS |
| Winner | | Core i9-13900K |
Conclusion: Core i9-13900K or the Core i7-14700K?
In terms of sheer performance, the Core i9-13900K is the better gaming CPU. However, if you consider price and power, the picture rearranges itself. The 13900K is slightly faster than the Core i7-14700K but costs $140 more and draws 20-25% more power. Ergo, the 13900K and its 3 FPS lead over the 14700K are inconsequential as it’s a power hog that costs way too much.
Further reading:
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AMD’s Market Cap is Nearly Twice as Much as Intel: $266 Billion vs. $136 Billion
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Intel Lunar Lake-Based Handheld Gaming PC Leak: 1200p Display & 64GB LPDDR5 Memory
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AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 170 “Strix Point” Spotted: Faster than the 7800X3D in Blender
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Intel i7-14700KF is 70% Faster in Game Loads than AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D with Gen 5 SSDs