Core i9-13900K vs Core i9-14900K

The Core i9-13900K and the Core i9-14900K perform about the same in games, within 4% in our estimates. Below: FPS in popular games, the specs side by side, and the graphics cards that suit each.

Updated · By Muhammad Muzammil

The short answer

In a typical one of 8 popular games at 1080p High with an RTX 5090, the Core i9-13900K gets about 173 FPS and the Core i9-14900K about 176 FPS. With a slower graphics card, or at 1440p and 4K, the card sets the FPS more often and the gap gets smaller.

Both use the LGA1700 socket. Both take DDR4/DDR5 memory. Cores and threads: 24 / 32 on the Core i9-13900K, 24 / 32 on the Core i9-14900K. Neither comes with a cooler, so budget for one.

Core i9-13900K vs Core i9-14900K: FPS in popular games

Estimated FPS at 1080p High with 32 GB RAM (Core i9-13900K / Core i9-14900K in each column). With an RTX 5090, the processor sets the frame rate wherever it can. Values above 500 show as 500+. See FPS for your own PC.

GameRTX 5090RTX 5060
Counter-Strike 2396 / 403305 / 305
Valorant436 / 443436 / 443
Fortnite190 / 193164 / 164
Apex Legends174 / 177174 / 177
Marvel Rivals135 / 13789 / 89
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6173 / 176110 / 110
Cyberpunk 2077139 / 142104 / 104
Baldur's Gate 3141 / 143141 / 143

With a mid-range graphics card such as an RTX 5060, the card sets the frame rate in more games, so the difference between the two processors is smaller.

Estimated FPS. Numbers come from the FPSVibe model, not measured benchmarks. How we estimate

Specs side by side

SpecCore i9-13900KCore i9-14900K
Cores / threads24 / 3224 / 32
Boost clockup to 5.8 GHzup to 6 GHz
L3 cache36 MB36 MB
SocketLGA1700LGA1700
MemoryDDR5-5600 / DDR4-3200DDR5-5600 / DDR4-3200
Integrated graphicsIntel UHD 770Intel UHD 770
Cooler in the boxNot includedNot included
Power (TDP)125 W125 W
Launch year20222023
Gaming index (est.)79.280.6

Gaming index: estimated CPU-bound gaming performance at 1080p, Ryzen 7 9800X3D = 100. Memory and box cooler as listed on AMD and Intel product pages; where we couldn't confirm a value there, check the manufacturer's page.

Graphics cards that pair well with the Core i9-13900K

Graphics cards that pair well with the Core i9-14900K

Core i9-13900K vs Core i9-14900K FAQs

Is the Core i9-13900K better than the Core i9-14900K for gaming?

The Core i9-13900K and the Core i9-14900K perform about the same in games, within 4% in our estimates. In a typical one of 8 popular games at 1080p High with an RTX 5090, the Core i9-13900K gets about 173 FPS and the Core i9-14900K about 176 FPS.

Core i9-13900K or Core i9-14900K: which gets more FPS in Counter-Strike 2?

With an RTX 5090 at 1080p High, the Core i9-13900K gets about 396 FPS and the Core i9-14900K about 403 FPS in our estimates.

Do the Core i9-13900K and Core i9-14900K use the same motherboard?

Yes. Both use the LGA1700 socket, so the same motherboard can take either (it may need a BIOS update first).

Do the Core i9-13900K and Core i9-14900K come with a cooler?

No. Neither comes with a cooler in the box, so you need to buy one.

Do the Core i9-13900K and Core i9-14900K have integrated graphics?

Yes. The Core i9-13900K has Intel UHD 770 and the Core i9-14900K has Intel UHD 770: enough for a display and light games, not for new games at good settings.

What graphics card should I pair with the Core i9-13900K or the Core i9-14900K?

Balanced picks in our estimates: for the Core i9-13900K, RTX 5070 Ti, RX 9070 XT, RX 9070, RTX 5070; for the Core i9-14900K, RTX 5070 Ti, RX 9070 XT, RX 9070, RTX 5070.