76

Core i7-13700K Processor

Raptor Lake · 16C/24T · LGA 1700

$409

MSRP

72

Ryzen 7 7700X Processor

Zen 4 · 8C/16T · AM5

$349

MSRP

Our verdict

The Core i7-13700K Processor takes the performance lead with a 6% higher overall score, driven by its 16 shader cores, 30 MB of memory, and 5,400 MHz TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 4% more frames per second across demanding titles like Counter-Strike 2 1080p and Cyberpunk 2077 1080p.

However, the Ryzen 7 7700X Processor tells a compelling value story. At $349 versus the Core i7-13700K Processor's $409 price tag, it costs 17% less while delivering performance that's only 6% behind. Its 32 MB of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the Ryzen 7 7700X Processor is the smarter purchase. The Core i7-13700K Processor only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

Core i7-13700K Processor

6% faster overall

Best value for money

Ryzen 7 7700X Processor

10% better value per dollar

Core i7-13700K Processor best for

Raw performance

6% faster overall

Memory

Max memory
192 GB
128 GB
Memory type
DDR5-5600
DDR5-5200
Memory channels
2
2

Performance

Cores
16
8
Threads
24
16
Base clock
3,400 MHz
4,500 MHz
Boost clock
5,400 MHz
5,400 MHz
L2 cache
24 MB
8 MB
L3 cache
30 MB
32 MB
Process
10 nm
5 nm
Transistors
N/A
N/A

platform

Socket
LGA 1700
AM5
PCIe
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
PCIe lanes
20
24
Integrated graphics
Intel UHD 770
AMD Radeon (RDNA 2)

Power

TDP
125W
105W
Max turbo power
253W
142W

Gaming benchmarks (avg FPS at 1080p)

Counter-Strike 2
345 fps
335 fps
Cyberpunk 2077
148 fps
140 fps
Hogwarts Legacy
128 fps
122 fps
Spider-Man 2
138 fps
132 fps
Starfield
98 fps
95 fps

Synthetic & compute benchmarks

Blender BMW
65 seconds
88 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
1,150 pts
850 pts
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
15,500 pts
12,500 pts
Handbrake 4K Encode
128 seconds
170 seconds
7-Zip Compression
105,000 MIPS
82,000 MIPS
Adobe Premiere Pro Export
48 seconds
58 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
120 pts
118 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
2,750 pts
2,650 pts

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i7-13700K Processor worth $60 more than the Ryzen 7 7700X Processor?

It depends on your needs. The Core i7-13700K Processor scores 76 overall vs 72 for the Ryzen 7 7700X Processor. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the Ryzen 7 7700X Processor offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the Core i7-13700K Processor or Ryzen 7 7700X Processor?

The Core i7-13700K Processor delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The Core i7-13700K Processor provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the Ryzen 7 7700X Processor still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the Ryzen 7 7700X Processor handle 4K gaming?

The Ryzen 7 7700X Processor can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the Core i7-13700K Processor is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the Core i7-13700K Processor or Ryzen 7 7700X Processor?

Choose the Ryzen 7 7700X Processor if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the Core i7-13700K Processor if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

Related comparisons

Pair with a graphics card

See our GPU rankings →