Intel Core i9 13900F 24-core LGA1700

The i9-13900F posts a 48,036 PassMark multi-thread score, putting it in the 93rd percentile of our database, with single-thread performance in the 95th percentile. That's exceptional for a 65W TDP chip. But the included cooler is a known failure point, multiple owners report it dying within a year, so plan on spending extra for a proper aftermarket cooler.

The 13900F is a 24-core monster with 8 P-cores and 16 E-cores, 32 threads, and a 5.6GHz boost clock. That hybrid architecture is doing serious work here. The 48,036 multi-thread PassMark score puts it in the 93rd percentile, which translates to "one of the best on the market" for productivity and heavy multitasking. Single-thread at 4,396 is a standout too, landing in the 95th percentile. For creators, the 36MB of L3 cache and 16MB of L2 cache mean fewer trips to system memory, and that shows up in real-world rendering and compile times.

Gaming is where things get interesting. Our scoring puts gaming at 79.1 out of 100, which is the weakest area for this chip. That's not bad by any stretch, but it's not the top of the charts either. One reviewer reported 280 FPS in Warzone 2's benchmark with an RTX 4080 and 7000 MHz DDR5, which is a massive jump from their previous Ryzen 3950x setup. The lack of integrated graphics means you need a discrete GPU, but if you're buying a 24-core i9, you almost certainly have one. The 219W turbo power draw is worth noting, this thing can pull some serious wattage when it's boosting.

Against the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the 13900F wins on raw multi-thread throughput with its 48,036 PassMark score, but the 9800X3D's 3D V-Cache gives it an edge in gaming workloads where cache matters more than core count. The 13900F's gaming score of 79.1 reflects that trade-off. Compared to the HP Xeon Silver 4310, the 13900F absolutely crushes it in single-thread performance, the Xeon is built for server workloads and doesn't come close to that 4,396 single-thread number. The MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi is a motherboard, not a CPU, so it's not a direct comparison, but it's worth noting the 13900F needs an LGA1700 board with a 600 or 700 series chipset, not an AM5 board like that MSI. If you're building new, you're locked into Intel's platform here.

Pricing is all over the place depending on where you shop. In the US, you'll find this chip between USD 500 and USD 675 across two listings, and that USD 175 spread is worth paying attention to. Best Buy has the better deal at the lower end of that range. In Europe, prices range from EUR 450 to EUR 587 across four listings in Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, with the EUR 450 option being the obvious pick. The efficiency score of 98 out of 100 is the real story here. You're getting 93rd percentile multi-thread performance at a 65W base TDP, which means lower power bills and less heat to manage compared to the K-series chips. For the performance you're getting, the lower end of these price ranges is a genuinely good deal.

The i9-13900F posts a PassMark multi-thread score of 48,036, which lands in the 93rd percentile of our database. That's a serious number for a chip with a 65W base TDP, and it puts this thing in the same conversation as CPUs that cost significantly more. Single-thread performance is even more impressive at 4,396, sitting in the 95th percentile. You're getting near-flagship responsiveness without paying for integrated graphics you probably don't need anyway.

But here's the catch, and it's a big one. The included Laminar RH1 cooler is a liability. Our sentiment analysis across 13 pieces of evidence shows owners love the CPU and hate the cooler. Multiple buyers report the fan dying within a year, and one mentioned an annoying ticking noise. The chip itself runs cool under sustained load according to several reviews, but that's likely with an aftermarket cooler. Plan on budgeting for one.

If you're building a gaming-first rig, the 79.1 gaming score should give you pause. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D will likely serve you better in cache-sensitive gaming workloads. And if you're not comfortable swapping out a CPU cooler, skip this one entirely. The included Laminar RH1 has a documented failure rate within a year according to multiple owners, and the 219W turbo power draw means you can't just ignore thermals. Installation hassles with BIOS updates and drive recognition are also a recurring theme, so first-time builders might want something with a smoother out-of-box experience.

The i9-13900F is a productivity beast hiding in a 65W TDP package. The 48,036 multi-thread score and 95th percentile single-thread performance make it one of the best values in our database for creators and heavy multitaskers. The efficiency score of 98 out of 100 backs that up. But the included cooler is a genuine problem. Multiple owners report failures within a year, and the ticking noise issue suggests quality control problems. Budget for a decent aftermarket cooler and factor that into your total cost. If you do, you're getting near-flagship performance at a price that undercuts the K-series chips significantly.