Intel Core i7-11700K vs Intel Core i5-13600K vs Intel Core i7-13700K

Intel Core i7-11700K

The Intel Core i7-11700K is a high-end desktop CPU based on the Rocket Lake architecture. The CPU offers 8 cores and 16 threads clocked at 3.6 - 4.9 GHz. The TDP is rated at 125 Watt (PL1, power limit sustained load) but the PL2 is set to around 250 Watt for short term boosts (up to 56 seconds). 

The Sunny Cove processor cores (known from the Ice Lake mobile CPUs) offer larger caches and an improved IPC (up to 19%). Furthermore, the chip also includes (partly) integrated WiFi 6E and Thunderbolt 4. The platform supports PCIe 4.0 and Intel DL Boost for AI acceleration.

The faster Rocket Lake-S CPUs also integrate a new Intel UHD Graphics 750 that is based on the current Intel Xe architecture (e.g. mobile Tiger Lake).

The CPU is manufactured on an old 14 nm process like the Comet Lake predecessors.

Intel Core i5-13600K

The Intel Core i5-13600K is a fast mid-range desktop processor of the Raptor Lake series. It includes a hybrid architecture for the CPU cores with combined 14 cores. Six fast Raptor Cove performance cores (P-cores) with HyperThreading and a clock speed of 3.5 - 5.1 GHz and eight Gracemont efficiency cores without HyperThreading and a clock speed of 2.6 - 3.9 GHz.

Thanks to the faster P-cores and more E-cores, the i5-13600K is significantly faster than the old i5-12600K (especially in multi-threaded workloads. 

The 13600K is rated at 125 Watt TDP base power (PL1) and 181 Watt Turbo Power (PL2) and therefore slightly higher than the old Core i5-12600K.

Intel Core i7-13700K

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a high-end CPU based on the current Raptor Lake architecture, which was introduced in September 2022. The base clock is 3.4 GHz and can reach up to 5.4 GHz under optimal conditions. The total of 16 cores are divided into 8 P-cores and 8 E-cores, which we already know from the Alder Lake architecture. Compared to the Intel Core i7-12700K, however, the number of E-cores has been doubled, meaning that the Intel Core i7-13700K now offers 24 threads. As usual, the K models continue to offer a freely selectable multiplier, which simplifies overclocking. In addition, all new Raptor Lake processors can be operated on the existing Socket 1700 motherboards.

Performance

Compared to the Intel Core i7-12700K, the Core i7-13700K still offers 8 P-cores, but these are to be relieved by 8 additional E-cores for demanding applications. The E-cores primarily take care of background applications. The hybrid architecture relies on the Intel Thread Director, which is responsible for the correct allocation of tasks. Compared to Alder Lake, the number of e-cores has been doubled, which significantly improves multi-thread performance in combination with a further increase in IPC. If all requirements are met, Intel Turbo Boost 3.0 can increase the clock rate of the P-cores to up to 5.4 GHz. The E-cores can also be overclocked and reach a maximum of 3.4 GHz.

Graphics

Like the Intel Core i7-12700K, the Intel Core i7-13700K offers an integrated graphics unit (iGPU). The Intel Iris Xe architecture continues to serve as the basis. In terms of performance, however, not much has changed with the new Intel UHD Graphics 770.

Power Consumption

The Intel Core i7-13700K is specified with a TDP of 125 watts, which corresponds to the PL1 value. In Boost mode, the processor's performance can increase to up to 253 watts (PL2). However, this requires good cooling. If all restrictions are deactivated in the BIOS, the PL2 value is not restricted by a Tau value.