82

Core i9-13900K Processor

Raptor Lake · 24C/32T · LGA 1700

$589

MSRP

78

Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor

Zen 3 3D V-Cache · 8C/16T · AM4

$449

MSRP

Our verdict

The Core i9-13900K Processor takes the performance lead with a 5% higher overall score, driven by its 24 shader cores, 36 MB of memory, and 5,800 MHz TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 2% more frames per second across demanding titles like Counter-Strike 2 1080p and Cyberpunk 2077 1080p.

However, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor tells a compelling value story. At $449 versus the Core i9-13900K Processor's $589 price tag, it costs 31% less while delivering performance that's only 5% behind. Its 96 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 5800X3D Processor is the smarter purchase. The Core i9-13900K 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 i9-13900K Processor

5% faster overall

Best value for money

Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor

31% better value per dollar

Core i9-13900K Processor best for

Raw performance

5% faster overall

Memory

Max memory
192 GB
128 GB
Memory type
DDR5-5600
DDR4-3200
Memory channels
2
2

Performance

Cores
24
8
Threads
32
16
Base clock
3,000 MHz
3,400 MHz
Boost clock
5,800 MHz
4,500 MHz
L2 cache
32 MB
4 MB
L3 cache
36 MB
96 MB
Process
10 nm
7 nm
Transistors
N/A
N/A

platform

Socket
LGA 1700
AM4
PCIe
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 4.0
PCIe lanes
20
24
Integrated graphics
Intel UHD 770
None

Power

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

Gaming benchmarks (avg FPS at 1080p)

Counter-Strike 2
370 fps
355 fps
Cyberpunk 2077
158 fps
155 fps
Hogwarts Legacy
135 fps
135 fps
Spider-Man 2
148 fps
145 fps
Starfield
105 fps
105 fps

Synthetic & compute benchmarks

Blender BMW
48 seconds
95 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
1,550 pts
720 pts
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
19,500 pts
10,800 pts
Handbrake 4K Encode
95 seconds
180 seconds
7-Zip Compression
138,000 MIPS
72,000 MIPS
Adobe Premiere Pro Export
38 seconds
62 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
128 pts
95 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
2,950 pts
2,050 pts

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i9-13900K Processor worth $140 more than the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor?

It depends on your needs. The Core i9-13900K Processor scores 82 overall vs 78 for the Ryzen 7 5800X3D 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 5800X3D Processor offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the Core i9-13900K Processor or Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor?

The Core i9-13900K Processor delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The Core i9-13900K Processor provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor handle 4K gaming?

The Ryzen 7 5800X3D 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 i9-13900K Processor is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the Core i9-13900K Processor or Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor?

Choose the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the Core i9-13900K Processor if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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