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

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 i9-9900K

The Intel Core i9-9900K is a high end desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. At the time of announcement in late 2018, the 9900K is the fastest Coffee Lake CPU and offers an open multiplicator for easy overclocking. The CPU integrates 8 cores (16 threads) clocked at 3.6 - 5 GHz and it needs a new Z390 based mainboard.

Thanks to the two additional cores, the performance in multi-threaded applications is up to 25 % faster than the older Core i7-8700K. The single thread performance is only slightly faster due to the higher clock speeds. As a high end desktop CPU, the i9-9900K is suited even for very demanding applications and perfect for 3D gaming.

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics card is clocked at up to 1.2 GHz and offers no advantage compared to previous generations. As it is a very low end GPU, only some low demanding games like Hearthstone can be played with it (see GPU page for benchmarks).

Intel specifies the TDP at 95 Watt, so if the CPU is used in laptops a big and chunky cooling system is needed to avoid throttling and lower clock speeds under sustained loads. When overclocking the CPU, the power consumption can easily rise up to 200 Watt and higher.