13700K or 13900K - Help me make the hard choice

Forums › Desktop computing › 13700K or 13900K - Help me make the hard choice

restecp

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#302847 28-Dec-2022 00:01

Hey Hivemind,

In a bit of a pickle, I can't choose between the 13700K & 13900K.

Currently, I am running an i7 8086K (on a DH15) with 32GB of DDR4 and a 3070.
I've been running this set up for around 4 years now and to be honest I have 0 complaints.

I was fortunate enough to receive an Asus STRIX Z690-E Gaming MOBO for Christmas from a mate (I know he's a bloody legend)
Link: https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/components/motherboards/intel/asus-rog-strix-z690-e-gaming-wifi-motherboard
I probably would have held off and not upgraded if it weren't for him buying this for me.

Current state I haven't really had time for games with the birth of my daughter 2 years ago, but I see myself gaining more and more time to be able to play.
I mostly use my rig for work (spreadsheets) on an ASUS ROG PG279Q, so I'm pushing high frame rates but at QHD not 4K.

I feel with the fact that I don't upgrade regularly it makes sense to invest a small amount more into the 13900K, I was especially swayed since I saw that CL & PB Currently have these for about $100 off.

A Few notes:

I am absolutely choosing between those 2 options, 12th gen is not part of my considerations.
Probably going to get a set of 32GB of Corsair 6000MT's RAM
Work gave me a $1000 Prezzy card for my 10 year with them, so I will use this and cover the balance of whatever else I need to get.
I plan to reuse my DH15 on whichever CPU I get with the compatibility kit I will purchase.

Keen to hear everyone elses thoughts on this.

Thank you!

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#3014456 28-Dec-2022 01:20

Pretty straight forward - the 13900K has more e-cores and clocks higher.

You'll notice a small amount of uplift in gaming, but we're not talking a major difference. Where you'll see the extra performance is from multi-threaded applications. Think of them as two 8 core processors, with 8 or 16 cores that run slower but are better for multithreaded tasks. You'll notice the difference most in high frame rate gaming at lower resolutions, but either processor is fine. If you're not going to lose sleep over the extra $300, I guess go with the 13900K, but the 13700K is really more than most people would need. If the 13600K was cheaper, I'd even suggest dropping down to that, but honestly for the extra $150 the 13700K is probably worth it for the extra 2 cores and higher clocks.

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Handle9

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#3014467 28-Dec-2022 09:10

For most games you’re not likely to see noticeable improvements in gaming performance with a 13900.

It’d help if you included the type of games you like playing, your GPU and monitor resolution.

restecp

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#3014468 28-Dec-2022 09:33

Handle9: For most games you’re not likely to see noticeable improvements in gaming performance with a 13900.

It’d help if you included the type of games you like playing, your GPU and monitor resolution.

Fair comment on the games.

Truthfully a few AAA games like cyberpunk and farcry 6.
But also CS Source and Command and Conquor haha.

I did include my monitor, resolution and GPU above :)

Talkiet

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#3014479 28-Dec-2022 10:36

13700. I have the 13900 and it's not worth it - plus the extra power draw on the 13900 can make it a challenge to cool even with a good cooler. You may also need to go in and manually play with power limits to stop it instantly thermal throttling.

You are way way _WAY_ more likely to be held back by your GPU on any modern games - and anything older doesn't need all the grunt anyway.

In my case, I game on triple 1440P monitors and my racing sim of choice is famous for needing the maximum single core performance possible so I did go 13900k but I did so knowing it was mostly a waste.

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Rust

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#3014480 28-Dec-2022 10:39

A question to ask yourself is, if you get the 13700, and even if it does all you require with no problem, will you be forever wondering if you should have gotten the 13900?

Will the extra bit of money for the 13900 buy you peace of mind that you have the best there is right now, even if you don't actually need it?

Personally, this question would bother me enough that I would get the 13900, but that's just me.

restecp

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#3014481 28-Dec-2022 10:49

Rust:
A question to ask yourself is, if you get the 13700, and even if it does all you require with no problem, will you be forever wondering if you should have gotten the 13900?

Will the extra bit of money for the 13900 buy you peace of mind that you have the best there is right now, even if you don't actually need it?

Personally, this question would bother me enough that I would get the 13900, but that's just me.

Hahahaha I feel like you are in my brain. Essentially the question I'm trying to answer.

I'm leaning towards the 13900k because of this question.

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nakedmolerat

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#3014527 28-Dec-2022 10:50

Go for 13900K. I know you want that 😏

Rust

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#3014528 28-Dec-2022 11:02

If that is indeed the question you are asking, then you already know the answer :)

Handle9

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#3014541 28-Dec-2022 11:41

restecp:
Handle9: For most games you’re not likely to see noticeable improvements in gaming performance with a 13900.

It’d help if you included the type of games you like playing, your GPU and monitor resolution.

Fair comment on the games.

Truthfully a few AAA games like cyberpunk and farcry 6.
But also CS Source and Command and Conquor haha.

I did include my monitor, resolution and GPU above :)

Sorry, reading on a phone and not really paying attention 🤦

For the type of games you are talking about you are going to be GPU bound unless you see a real benefit in stupidly high frame rates.

It’s your money so if you want a 13900 buy it, I don’t think you’ll see a benefit but I also get the wondering if the more faster cpu would give more headroom.

Dial111

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#3014548 28-Dec-2022 12:35

What you’re really asking is “Talk me out of the 13900K”

I often ask questions like this but deep inside I’ve already answered them. Go with your heart. 13900k ftw!!

restecp

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#3014551 28-Dec-2022 12:39

Appreciate it everyone. 13900k it is. Now to find some RAM compatible with my cooler lol

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#3014589 28-Dec-2022 15:48

If you're set on the 13900, go for it. It's massive overkill for most people, but it's your money. 😀

You will need top level cooling, but definitely look at undervolting. This will help keep your temperatures within reasonable limits, and probably increase performance because the CPU won't be throttling when it gets to 100°C.

I just put together a 13600 machine with a top end air cooler last night, and it was constantly hitting 100°C under load, and throttling. Undervolting has reduced the maximum temperature at load to around 65°, and increased performance. Win-win. Less power used too.

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#3014593 28-Dec-2022 16:06

13700K is the choice here. You aren't sounding like you will notice what is a pretty minimal difference in performance, and there is a negligible difference for gaming.

If you were doing other heavy workloads, for what is a relatively minimal difference in the price you might consider it, but taking into account the extra power and heat, I'd think the 13700K which is a very capable CPU, is all you'd need.

I do get the whatif's, FOMO is real, and at the end of the day, if you buy the 13900k you'll never wonder again.

restecp

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#3014602 28-Dec-2022 16:44

Had a think about it. Currently I use handbreak to convert some of my content to H.265 so the extra cores will be useful.

The 13700K was 100% the logical choice.

restecp

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#3014603 28-Dec-2022 16:45

Gurezaemon:
If you're set on the 13900, go for it. It's massive overkill for most people, but it's your money. 😀

You will need top level cooling, but definitely look at undervolting. This will help keep your temperatures within reasonable limits, and probably increase performance because the CPU won't be throttling when it gets to 100°C.

I just put together a 13600 machine with a top end air cooler last night, and it was constantly hitting 100°C under load, and throttling. Undervolting has reduced the maximum temperature at load to around 65°, and increased performance. Win-win. Less power used too.

Exactly My plan! Now to find a guide in how to do this haha.

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