Intel Core i9-13900KF Gaming Desktop Processor 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) - Unlocked

Product Information

We found that the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6E technology provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.3 support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones. The Intel Core i9-13900KF's 8 Performance cores have a 3.00 GHz base frequency and support a 5.40 GHz max turbo boost frequency.

Intel classifications are for general, educational and planning purposes only and consist of Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN) and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers. Any use made of Intel classifications are without recourse to Intel and shall not be construed as a representation or warranty regarding the proper ECCN or HTS. Your company as an importer and/or exporter is responsible for determining the correct classification of your transaction. Based on our evaluation of using Intel's Core i9-13900F CPU for professional tools, you can expect excellent tool performance with a high-performance CPU cooler. Based on our evaluation of using Intel's Core i9-13900K CPU for general apps, you can expect excellent app performance with a high-performance CPU cooler. While in the past a CPU hitting its peak temperature was cause for concern, enthusiasts are going to have to learn to accept high temperatures as “normal” while running demanding workloads with Raptor Lake and Ryzen 7000 CPUs. Intel's Core i9-13900K CPUs have 8 Performance cores (P-cores) and 16 Efficiency cores (E-cores) for a total of 24 cores.

Gaming performance measures how well the processor calculates gaming operations like in-game physics by running several games' integrated benchmark tools like CyberPunk 2077, Metro: Exodus, and F1 2022. In all cases, we run the benchmarks on the lowest graphics settings available at 1080p and using the most powerful graphics card we have available and with 32GB RAM to isolate the actual CPU operations we are testing without having to worry about inteference with excessive memory or graphics management.

Five stars. This is the best desktop processor money can buy right now, and it bodes well for the future of CPUs. If you're only planning to stream shows, use office apps, or browse the internet, you won't need a top-end CPU to get good performance. The most important CPU capability for general app usage is the single-core max turbo boost frequency. When it comes to processors, we look at four key metrics: synthetic single and multi-core performance, "general" performance, creative performance, and gaming performance. After putting both these processors through their paces, I have to say I’m leaning towards the 13900KF for my personal setup. The slight edge in single-threaded performance and the flexibility it offers for future GPU upgrades are compelling factors for me. However, I can’t deny the convenience of the integrated graphics in the 13900K, which could be a lifesaver in a pinch.Where things get a little more interesting is the power draw and thermal performance. The 16 E-cores on the 13900K’s die mean that average power use is very low compared to just about any other high-end CPU, which is great for when you’re just running everyday tasks on your PC and means that you get better performance per watt than any other chip on the market right now. Both the 13900K and 13900KF belong to Intel’s 12th generation Alder Lake lineup (see TomsHardware), promising impressive performance gains over their predecessors. They both feature 16 cores and 24 threads, making them absolute powerhouses for multitasking and content creation. However, there’s a key difference between the two, and it involves that little ‘F’ at the end of the 13900KF.

For as long as I can remember, I've had love of all things tech, spurred on, in part, by a love of gaming. I began working on computers owned by immediate family members and relatives when I was around 10 years old. I've always sought to learn as much as possible about anything PC, leading to a well-rounded grasp on all things tech today. In my role at PCMag, I greatly enjoy the opportunity to share what I know. This article compares Intel's Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KF desktop CPUs. We evaluated Intel's Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KF desktop CPUs to determine which would be better for various use cases. We shaped our testing methodology to focus on each CPU's attributes rather than relying solely on benchmarks. See http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/hyper-threading/hyper-threading-technology.html?wapkw=hyper+threading for more information including details on which processors support Intel® HT Technology. Somewhat surprisingly given the increase in resources, the Core i9-13900K is not radically more power-hungry than its predecessor. It consumes more power and it certainly runs hotter than we’d like, but neither of these points are problematic enough to keep the processor from outperforming everything else in our charts. We found that, in general, more cores do provide better performance in professional tools and when running multiple applications simultaneously.

Intel® Thread Director

Based on our evaluation of using Intel's Core i9-13900KF CPU for professional tools, you can expect excellent tool performance with a high-performance CPU cooler.