Intel Core i3-9100F vs Intel Core i7-13700 vs Intel Core i9-9900KS

Intel Core i3-9100F

The Intel Core i3-9100F is an entry level Quad-Core processor for desktop PCs based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It offers four cores clocked at 3.6 - 4.2 GHz without HyperThreading / SMT support (4 threads only). The CPU is still manufactured in 14nm++ and does not feature an integrated graphics card. 

Compared to the older Core i3-8100, the i3-9100F offers around 10 to 15 percent higher performance. Therefore, the CPU is well suited for simple office tasks but less for high end gaming or demanding applications.

Intel specifies the CPU with a TDP of 65 Watt. For desktops that means that the processor wont need big cooling solutions and can be used in small cases.

Intel Core i7-13700

The Intel Core i7-13700 is a fast and relatively economical desktop processor from the current Raptor Lake series. The processor was introduced in early 2023 and offers a base clock of 2.1 GHz. It reaches up to 5.2 GHz in Turbo mode. As with Alder Lake-S, Raptor Lake-S is also based on a hybrid design that combines P and E cores. Compared to the Intel Core i7-12700, the number of E-cores has been doubled to 8, meaning that the Intel Core i7-13700 offers up to 24 threads together with its 8 P-cores. The processor continues to be manufactured using the 10 nm production process called "Intel 7". There is no freely selectable multiplier for the Intel Core i7-13700 (compared to the faster i7-13700K) and the LGA 1700 socket introduced with the Alder Lake series continues to serve as the basis.

Performance

Compared to the Intel Core i7-12700, the IPC of the new Core i7-13700 has been increased slightly. At the same time, the 4 additional E-cores now provide slightly more performance for multi-threaded tasks. This puts the Intel Core i7-13700 at the level of an Intel Core i9-12900K, which also offers a total of 24 threads.

iGPU

The Intel Core i7-13700 is a processor with an integrated graphics unit. The Intel UHD Graphics 770 however is only suitable for office use and very old or low demanding games.

Power consumption

The TDP of the Intel Core i7-13700 is 65 watts in PL1. Intel defines the PL2 limit at 219 watts. If the restrictions regarding power consumption are deactivated in the BIOS, the PL2 value can be reached permanently and even exceeded with good cooling. However, a high-quality and powerful cooling unit should be used for this.

Intel Core i9-9900KS

The Intel Core i9-9900KS is a high end desktop processor that includes 8 cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It is the fastest Coffee Lake CPU in 2019 and compared to the similar named i9-9900K, the KS offers an all core Turbo of 5 GHz. All cores can clock between 4 GHz and 5 GHz and thanks to Hyperthreading / SMT 16 threads can be executed in parallel. The CPU is still manufactured in the mature 14 nm process (14nm++). Thanks to the open multiplicator, the CPU is rather easy to overclock (if a Z390 based mainboard is used).

With good cooling, the i9-9900KS can be around 10% faster than the older Intel Core i9-9900K (thanks to the 5 GHz all core Turbo). Compare to the old Core i7-8700K, the 9900KS is even 45% faster. Especially for gaming, the 9900KS is currently the fastest option available. The fast Ryzen and Threadripper CPUs from AMD however offer a better multithreaded performance.

The integrated GPU is called Intel UHD Graphics 630 and clocks with up to 1.2 GHz. It is not suited for demanding 3D games and located in the low end.

The TDP is raised to 127 Watt for the additional performance, therefore a good CPU cooler is needed. When overclocking the CPU, more than 200 Watt can be reached unter load.