Core i9-12900KS vs i7-13700K [All Differences]

Intel’s Raptor Lake CPUs have taken the market by storm, with many Alder Lake users considering an upgrade. Today, we’re comparing the Core i9-12900KS vs Core i7-13700K. The former is the fastest Intel CPU of its generation, while the latter is the new mainstream Core i7 chip, replacing the Core i7-12700K. Let’s see how the two compare. 

Key Takeaways

• Both the Core i9-12900KS and Core i7-13700K have very similar specifications. They are also based on the same Hybrid Core Architecture and share the same Intel 7 node. 
• When it comes to performance, the Core i7-13700K is 5.2% faster than the Core i9-12900KS in 1080P gaming. 
• The Core i7-13700K has a 20% lower base TDP rating and is 7.1% more power efficient than the i9-12900KS in 1080P gaming. 
• In terms of thermals, both the CPUs are very similar and differ by less than 1% in temperatures across the 1080P benchmarks. 

Core i9-12900KS Vs Core i7-13700K: Comparison Table

So right off the bat, we can see that the two CPUs are comparable, starting from the architecture and processing nodes. Intel did improve this Intel 7 manufacturing process, but no details were provided. Let’s discuss some of the comparable differences. 

Also Read: i9-12900KS Vs i9-13900K

Clock Speeds

Starting with the clock speeds, we can see that both CPUs have the same base clock speeds for both the P-cores and E-cores. However, they differ slightly in terms of boost clock speeds.

Specifically, the Core i9-12900KS supports a boost frequency of 5.2 GHz for the P-cores, while the i7-13700K betters that with 5.3 GHz. Similarly, for the E-cores, the Core i9-12900KS has a boost clock frequency of 4.0 GHz, and the Core i7-13700K pushes that up to 4.20 GHz. 

L2 Cache

The Raptor Lake Core i7s get an upgrade to 4MB of L2 cache per E-core cluster. With each cluster having 4 cores and 2 clusters in total, we get 8MB of L2 cache from the E cores. The Core i9-12900KS contains 2MB of L2 cache for every 4 E cores. Thus, the Core i7-13700K features 30MB of L2 cache, compared to 24MB of the Core i9-12900KS.

Memory Support

Both CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5 memory. However, the Core i7-13700K supports DDR5 memory with transfer rates as high as 5400 MT/s. The Core i9-12900KS only supports up to 4800 MT/s of transfer speeds. 

This also means that the Core i7-13700KS supports faster memory bandwidth, at 89.6 GB/s, compared to 76.8 GB/s of the Core i9-12900KS.

Also Read: DDR4 vs DDR5 Memory

Maximum Operating Temperature

The Core i7-13700K has an improved limit for the maximum operating temperature, at 100°C. This is the temperature limit beyond which thermal throttling occurs, and power to the CPU is reduced to cool it down. The i9-12900KS is rated at 90°C.

Power Consumption

In terms of the base TDP, the i7-13700K is the better CPU with a rating of 125 watts compared to the 150 watts of the i9-12900KS. However, the i7-13700K does have a higher boost TDP rating of 253 watts, while the i9-12900KS draws a maximum of 241 watts. 

Similar Comparisons: i9-12900KS vs Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Core i9-12900KS Vs Core i7-13700K: Gaming Performance

Let’s see how these two CPUs stack against each other in gaming. We’ll compare their performance across 6 games, all tested at 1080P resolution with ultra or equivalent settings. It’s important to remember that the recorded figures may differ slightly from the actual figures due to the monitoring software. With that being said, let’s look at the test bench for our i9-12900KS vs i7-13700K comparison:

Test Bench

• Intel Core i9-12900KS on Gigabyte Z690 AORUS ULTRA
• Intel Core i7-13700K on Asus ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming
• CPU Cooler: Corsair iCue H150I Elite
• Graphics Card: Asus TUF Gaming RTX 4090 24GB
• Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB (2×16) DDR5 6000MHz 
• SSD: Samsung 980 PRO 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2
• HDD: WD Blue 4TB Desktop Hard Disk Drive
• Power Supply: Corsair RM1000X (1000 watts)
• Operating System: Windows 10

Hitman 3

• Kicking things off in Hitman 3, the i7-13700K takes a 4.3% lead with 218 FPS on average. The i9-12900KS, in turn, scores 209 FPS. 
• The %1 low figures show another win for the i7-13700K as it outscores the Core i9-12900KS by 5.2%. 
• Looking at the temperatures, the i9-12900KS hovers around the 59°C mark while the i7-13700K runs 1°C hotter.
• The Intel i9-12900KS shows slightly higher power consumption, with 115 watts, than the Raptor Lake i7-13700K. 

Cyberpunk 2077

• In Cyberpunk 2077, the i9-12900KS lags behind the i7-13700K by 7.2% in terms of average FPS. 
• In terms of %1 low FPS, the i7-13700K maintains a lead with 131 FPS. On the other hand, the i9-12900KS manages 124 FPS. 
• Another win for the i9-12900KS regarding thermal performance is concerned, as it runs 2°C cooler. 
• The Core i9-12900KS is more power-hungry in Cyberpunk 2077, drawing 11.7% more power. 

Far Cry 6

• The i7-13700K manages another marginal lead in this title, averaging 166 FPS. The i9-12900KS replies with 158 FPS on average.
• On to the %1 lows, the i9-12900KS trails the i7-13700KS again – by 3.5% this time. 
• Things take a turn in terms of thermal performance as the i9-12900KS hits the 70°C mark in Far Cry 6. The i7-13700K runs at around 65°C – 7.6% cooler. 
• The Core i7-13700K bests the i9-12900KS again with its power efficiency, drawing 96.2 watts on average. 

Also Read: Intel i9-12900K vs i9-12900KS

God of War

• The i7-13700K averages 204 FPS in God of War, while the i9-12900KS falls behind with 195 FPS – a 4.6% difference. 
• Looking at the %1 lows, the i7-13700K extends its lead to 9.3% with 176 FPS. 
• The i9-12900KS is the worse thermal performer again. It roams around the 68°C mark while its competitor averages 63°C. 
• Regarding power consumption, the i9-12900KS draws 14.2% more power.

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

• In Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, the Core i9-12900KS continues to trail the i7-13700K, scoring 206 FPS on average.
• The i7-13700K scores 159 FPS as far as the %1 low FPS is concerned. The i9-12900KS scores 148 FPS in response. 
• The i9-12900KS proves to be the better thermal performer, averaging just around 60°C in this test. In comparison, the i7-13700K runs around 4°C hotter. 
• A rare coincidence as both CPUs draw the same amount of power on average, at 113.9 watts. 

Horizon Zero Dawn

• In the final benchmark, the i7-13700K continues its lead and racks up 219 FPS on average. On the other hand, the Intel Core i9-12900KS scores 211 FPS.
• The i7-13700K has a marginal 1.7% lead in terms of %1 lows. 
• Next up, looking at the temperatures, the i9-12900KS hits the 70°C mark, while the i7-13700K runs just 1°C cooler.
• The Core i9-12900KS averages 114.7 watts of power draw. On the contrary, the i7-13700K consumes 109.8 watts and is 4.4% more power efficient. 

Overall Gaming Performance

Let’s look at the average FPS and %1 low FPS across the 6 games to summarize the gaming benchmarks. 

• The i7-13700K scores 195.8 FPS on average while the i9-12900KS averages 186.1 FPS across the 6 games. 
• This means that, overall, the Core i7-13700K is 5.2% faster than the Core i9-12900KS in 1080P gaming.
• As for the %1 lows, the i7-13700K scores 160.3 FPS while the i9-12900KS scores 152 FPS – making the i7-13700K 5.46% faster. 

Also Read: Intel i7-13700k Vs Ryzen 7 7700X

Power Consumption

Next, a look at the power consumption numbers across the 6 tested games. Remember that the Core i9-12900KS has a base TDP rating of 150 watts, while the i7-13700K has a rating of 125 watts – 20% lower. 

• We can see that the i9-12900KS draws 113.1 watts of power, on average, across the 6 benchmarks. The i7-13700K, in return, draws 105.6 watts. 
• Thus, the Core i7-13700K is 7.1% more power-efficient than the Core i9-12900KS, as far as 1080P gaming is concerned.
• The CPU with the lower base TDP wins, but not by a huge margin.

Thermal Performance

The i7-13700K was the more power-efficient CPU, but is it also more thermally efficient? Let’s see. 

• So in terms of temperatures, the i9-12900KS averaged 65.1°C across the 6 benchmarked games. In comparison, the i7-13700K ran slightly cooler, at 64.5°C. 
• The Core i7-13700K is, therefore, not even 1% better than the Core i9-12900KS in terms of thermal performance when it comes to 1080P gaming. 

Pricing 

Since the Core i9-12900KS costs almost half of its launch MSRP now (around $419), it’s evenly matched with the i7-13700K (~$417) in terms of CPU prices. Furthermore, both CPUs support the same chipsets, so the question of platform costs does not come into consideration. 

The two CPUs also share very similar power draw ratings. However, the Core i7-13700K is the more efficient CPU at a base frequency and could be slightly more economical if you’re running your CPU at stock settings.

In our 1080P gaming performance analysis, we found that the Core i7-13700K was 7.1% more power-efficient than the i9-12900KS. But, since the i7-13700K has a slightly higher boost TDP rating, it could cost more if your focus is on 4K gaming or productivity tasks. 

Also Check: i7-13700K vs Ryzen 9 7900X

Conclusion

Both the Core i9-12900KS and Core i7-13700K are solid CPUs for gaming. Even though the two CPUs are from different lineups, their specifications are very similar, and they’re also based on the same architecture. The two CPUs also have comparable prices. 

Both the CPUs performed very well in 1080P gaming, but the i7-13700K proved to be faster. Another argument that can be made in favor of the i7-13700K is that it’s the more recent CPU and does have an improved Intel 7 node. In any case, we hope that our Core i9-12900KS vs Core i7-13700K comparison was of help to you.

Pros And Cons

More From Core i7-13700K

• i7-13700K Vs i5-13600K [Gaming Benchmarks]
• i9-13900K Vs i7-13700K [Benchmarks & Overall]
• Intel i7-13700K Vs i7-12700K: Should You Upgrade?