Intel Core i9-13900K vs Intel Core i9-14900K vs AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

Intel Core i9-13900K

The Intel Core i9-13900K is a fast high-end desktop processor of the Raptor Lake series. It includes a hybrid architecture for the CPU cores with combined 24 cores and 32 threads. Eight fast Raptor Cove performance cores (P-cores) with HyperThreading and a clock speed of 3 - 5.8 GHz and sixteen Gracemont efficiency cores without HyperThreading and a clock speed of 2.2 - 4.3 GHz.

Thanks to the faster P-cores and more E-cores, the i9-13900K is significantly faster than the old i9-12900K (especially in multi-threaded workloads). Compared to the Raphael AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (Zen 4), the 13900K offers a slightly higher multi-thread-performance and a slightly lower single core performance. In games, the Intel CPU is currently the clear winner (at the time of announcement of the 7950X).

The 13900K is rated at 125 Watt TDP base power (PL1) and 253 Watt Turbo Power (PL2) and therefore slightly higher than the old i9-12900K.

Intel Core i9-14900K

The Intel Core i9-14900K is a high-end processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, similar to the Intel Core i9-13900K last year. The base clock is 3.2 GHz and can reach up to 6 GHz under optimal conditions. The total of 32 threads are still divided into 8 P and 16 E cores. The 8 performance cores (P-cores) also offer hyperthreading, which means that a total of 32 threads can be processed simultaneously in conjunction with the 16 energy-efficient E-cores. As before, the K models continue to offer a freely selectable multiplier, which simplifies overclocking. The Intel Core i9-14900K uses the same CPU socket (LGA 1700) as the Intel Core i9-13900K. This means you don't necessarily need a new motherboard, as the 600 series chipsets support the new processors after a BIOS update. There is also still the option of using DDR4 for the RAM.

Performance

Compared to the Intel Core i9-13900K, the Core i9-14900K still offers 8 P-cores, which are relieved by 16 additional E-cores for demanding applications and thus ensure very high multi-thread performance. In comparison, however, the Intel Core i9-14900K can only gain a slight lead. The e-cores primarily take care of background applications. The hybrid architecture relies on the Intel Thread Director, which is responsible for the correct allocation of tasks. Meanwhile, the IPC could only be increased slightly. As an innovation with the Intel Core i9-14900K, the manufacturer is increasingly relying on AI, which is also used for overclocking. With one click in the Intel Extreme Utility, the tool checks the entire system and makes the necessary settings.

Graphics unit

Like the Intel Core i9-13900K, the Intel Core i9-14900K offers an integrated graphics unit. The Intel Iris Xe architecture continues to serve as the basis. In terms of performance, however, nothing has changed with the Intel UHD Graphics 770.

Power consumption

The Intel Core i9-14900K is specified with a TDP of 125 watts, which corresponds to the PL1 value. In Boost mode, the processor's performance can increase to up to 253 watts (PL2). However, this requires very good cooling. Compared to the Intel Core i9-13900K, the specified power consumption does not increase if the limits are adhered to. The situation is different if the limits are deactivated. As this value depends on the overall system, we cannot make an exact statement on this.

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is a fast high-end desktop processor of the Raphael series. It offers 12 cores based on the Zen 4 architecture that supports hyperthreading (24 threads). The cores clock from 4.7 (base) up to 5.7 GHz (single core boost). When all 12 cores are fully loaded, 5.1 GHz is the max. clock speed. The 7900X is the second fastest Ryzen at launch, only bested by the Ryzen 9 7950X with 4 more cores.

The performance of the R9 7900X is clearly better than the old Ryzen 9 5900X thanks to the improved architecture and modern 5nm process. Compared to Intels Raptor Lake Core i9-13700K the single-core performance is slightly lower and the multi-core performance slightly faster. The gaming performance is a bit lower, and is on average only on par with the Core i5-13600K and also lower than the old Ryzen 7 5800X3D.

The Raphael series still uses a chiplet design with two CCD-clusters (each with 8 possible cores) in 5nm and an IO-die (including the memory controller and the Radeon Graphics iGPU) in 6nm.