Core i9-13900k Vs Ryzen 9 7950x: We Tested Both

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Abde Manaf

At Tech4Gamers, I began as a comparison writer, analyzing GPU and CPU performance. Now, I focus on writing reviews and contributing to the best-ofs section, sharing personal insights after hands-on testing.

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Both of the highest-end processors from AMD and Intel work towards the same goals, but they try to achieve them through different techniques. This Core i9-13900k vs Ryzen 9 7950x comparison will put a face to the difference between the two, and crown a definitive victor in terms of gaming performance.

Key Takeaways

• The core i9-13900k provides 24 cores, and Ryzen 9 7950x 16 has physical cores. A greater number of cores helps in delivering better performance.
• The turbo clock of the Intel core i9-13900k is up to 5.8 GHz i.e., greater than the 5.7 GHz max clock of the Ryzen 9 7950x.
• The Ryzen 9 7950x only supports DDR5 memory while the Intel core i9-13900K supports DDR4 and DDR5it better for users with a lower budget to set up their PCs.
• The gaming performance of the Intel core i9-13900K was better than the R9 7950x in almost all the games. Thus, core i9-13900K would be a better option for gamers.

Core i9-13900k Vs AMD Ryzen 9 7950x

Comparison Table

Architectural Differences

1. TDP: The Intel Core i9-13900k features a TDP of 125 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X has a higher TDP of 170 watts. This indicates that the Intel processor is more power-efficient in terms of thermal output.
2. Clock Speeds: The Intel Core i9-13900k offers a performance-core base frequency of 3.00GHz and a performance-core max turbo frequency of 5.40GHz. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X boasts a base clock frequency of 4.5GHz and can reach a boost frequency of 5.7GHz, making it a powerhouse in terms of clock speeds.
3. Supported RAM: The Intel Core i9-13900k supports both DDR-5 and DDR-4 memory types, allowing flexibility in RAM selection. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, on the other hand, supports DDR-5 memory exclusively, which offers potential advantages in terms of memory speed.
4. L3 Cache: The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X has a larger L3 cache of 64MB, which can contribute to improved performance in various tasks, especially those requiring quick data access. In comparison, the Intel Core i9-13900k has a smaller 36MB L3 cache.
5. Core Counts: The Intel Core i9-13900k combines 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores, resulting in a total of 24 CPU cores. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X features 16 physical cores, which are all high-performance cores. This difference in core configuration can impact the processors’ performance in multi-threaded workloads.

Gaming Benchmarks

9 games were tested in the first series at a high resolution of 1440p. These benchmarks were obtained using our measured test bench, the specifications of which are mentioned below:

• GPU: Nvidia RTX 4090
• OS – Windows 11 
  
• CPU Cooler – Cooler Master MasterLiquid Lite ML240L RGB
• SSD – XPG Gammix S70 Blade 2TB NVMe
• Power Supply – ENERMAX REVOLUTION D.F. X 1050W

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

• Our test showed that the Ryzen 9 had an average framerate of around 688 FPS, whereas the Core i9 was much further ahead with an average framerate of 800 FPS. The difference in framerate is not noticeable when it is so high already on both processors, but in such a CPU-bound game, this draws a good representation of the overall gaming performance of these processors.
• The 1% lows hit around the same number for both processors, with the Ryzen 9 getting lows of 280 FPS in our testing, while the Core i9 had minimum framerates of 288 FPS.

Cyberpunk 2077

• The average framerates still showed quite a bit of difference in our test of Cyberpunk, a relatively GPU-intensive game. The Core i9 had an average framerate of around 144 FPS, while the Ryzen brought the framerate down to 130 FPS. Though still relatively unnoticeable, the difference between these processors is relatively large for a CPU swap.
• The 1% lows were the same on both systems, 95 FPS.

Diablo II Resurrected

• The average framerates with both processors differed quite a bit in our test of Diablo II. The Core i9 had an average framerate of 210 FPS, which was noticeably more responsive than the 185 FPS average of the Ryzen 9 7950x.
• Surprisingly, our tests showed the 1% lows of the Ryzen to be better at 130 FPS vs 106 FPS on the Core i9-13900k, which is more of a noticeable metric to find a difference in, considering the average framerates are super high already.

Fortnite

• The rather large differences in average framerates continue with our test of Fortnite. The average of the i9 13900K reached around 227 FPS, whereas the Ryzen 9 had a performance of around 199 FPS. This difference can be very noticeable to e-sports players who enjoy this game.
• The 1% lows had a large deviance as well in our test. The i9 had minimum framerates of around 142 FPS, whereas the Ryzen 9 had minimums of around 129 FPS.

God Of War

• Our test of God Of War had the same disappointing performance from the Ryzen 9 with an average framerate of 111 FPS, whereas the Core i9-13900k rose above it with an average of around 129 FPS.
• The 1% lows were even more drastic in our test. The i9 had lows of 106 FPS, whereas the Ryzen 9 dipped all the way down to 90 FPS.

Marvel’s Spider-Man

• Swinging through the streets of New York in Marvel’s Spiderman gave us the closest performance gap between these two chips. The i9 had an average framerate of 127 FSP, whereas the Ryzen 9 was slightly slower with an average of 122 FPS.
• The 1% lows weren’t terribly different as well in our testing. The i9-13900k got down to minimums of around 81 FPS in our testing, whereas the Ryzen had a minimum framerate closer to 77 FPS.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

• In our test of Flight Sim 2020, the i9-13900k came out ahead with an average framerate of 122 FPS, whereas the Ryzen 9 had an average framerate of around 111 FPS. 
• The 1% lows were pretty close in this game, with the Ryzen 9 7950X getting around 86 FPS, while the i9 lagged behind with lows of around 81 FPS.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• The average framerate was greater on the i9-13900k in our testing of RDR2. The Intel processor managed an average framerate of 130 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 had an average of around 120 FPS.
• The 1% lows had a similar level of difference, which the Ryzen 9 7950X going down to around 89 FPS, while the i9-13900k had a minimum framerate closer to around 98 FPS.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Finally, the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt also ran better on the i9, marking its final victory for this comparison. The Intel chip gave a performance of around 163 FPS on average, significantly beating out the 148 FPS average of the Ryzen 9.
• 1% lows were also noticeably smoother on the i9, hovering around 122 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 had lows of around 110 FPS in our testing.

Overall Gaming Performance

Now that we have some knowledge of the performance of the Core i9-13900K vs Ryzen 9 7950x, this part of the comparison will take a step back to look at the average performance of either processor. 

Framerate

• The i9 had around a 13.5% increase in average framerate compared to the Ryzen 9, which is very significant. Our testing showed the i9-13900K to give an average framerate around 223 FPS in the games we tested, whereas the Ryzen 9 7950x hovered around 201 FPS.
• 1% lows were not as drastically different in our tests, but there was a difference. The i9 had lows of around 124 FPS, whereas the Ryzen 9 had lows of around 120 FPS.

Temperature

• The higher performance of the Intel processor also came at the cost of more temperature, with the processor peaking at around 67ºC on average in our testing, while the Ryzen had a peak temperature of around 63ºC on average.
• There are a multitude of factors that can affect the temperatures of your processors, so your exact result may vary from us.

Price And Availability

• Being some of the most powerful processors on the planet, neither of the CPUs in this comparison comes cheap. The 13900K retails for around $569, while the Ryzen comes in a bit cheaper at around $552 on average.
• These processors should be available all around the world.

Core i9-13900K Vs. AMD Ryzen 9 7950X: What We Recommend

• i9-13900K: High-end processor with extra cores for excellent all-around performance and gaming.
• Ryzen 9 7950x: Slightly cheaper but requires a new platform and RAM standard, increasing overall cost. Requires a new build.
• Compatibility: 12th gen Intel processors allow for a drop-in upgrade, while Ryzen 9 7950x necessitates a new build.
• Performance: Both processors bottlenecked an RTX 4090 in 1080p tests, but with a more modest GPU, they offer similar performance.
• Winner: i9-13900K provides better performance for a similar price, making it the preferred choice in the comparison.

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Abde Manaf

[Comparisons Expert]

Abdemanaf is a skilled creative writer who has been honing his craft since 2011. While initially working in different fields, he found a passion for technology and has been exploring the tech world since early 2015. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the latest tech trends and product offerings by various companies.

Abdemanaf’s writing reflects his analytical mindset and ability to think critically. He has a knack for breaking down complex technical information into easily digestible pieces, making his articles engaging and accessible to readers from all backgrounds. In February 2022, he joined Tech4Gamers as a blog and product comparison writer, where he has been able to hone his skills further.

As a writer, Abdemanaf is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and trends, enabling him to provide readers with the most relevant and accurate information. He is always eager to learn more and is constantly seeking new challenges to improve his skills.

Get In Touch: manaf@tech4gamers.com