Intel Core i9-13900KS vs Intel Core i7-990X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-13900KS and Intel Core i7-990X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Graphics interfaces, Graphics image quality, Graphics API support, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core.

Intel Core i9-13900KS

Intel Core i7-990X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-13900KS

CPU is newer: launch date 11 year(s) 11 month(s) later
18 more cores, run more applications at once: 24 vs 6
20 more threads: 32 vs 12
Around 61% higher clock speed: 6.00 GHz vs 3.73 GHz
Around 47% higher maximum core temperature: 100°C vs 67.9°C
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 7 nm vs 32 nm
5x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
21.3x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
3x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
5.3x more maximum memory size: 128 GB vs 24 GB
3x better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 4729 vs 1574
8.6x better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 61105 vs 7119

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	4 Jan 2023 vs February 2011
Number of cores	24 vs 6
Number of threads	32 vs 12
Maximum frequency	6.00 GHz vs 3.73 GHz
Maximum core temperature	100°C vs 67.9°C
Manufacturing process technology	7 nm vs 32 nm
L1 cache	1920 KB vs 64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	32 MB vs 256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	36 MB vs 12288 KB (shared)
Maximum memory size	128 GB vs 24 GB
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	4729 vs 1574
PassMark - CPU mark	61105 vs 7119

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i7-990X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
Around 15% lower typical power consumption: 130 Watt vs 150 Watt

Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	130 Watt vs 150 Watt

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-13900KS
CPU 2: Intel Core i7-990X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

4729

1574

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

61105

7119

Name	Intel Core i9-13900KS	Intel Core i7-990X
PassMark - Single thread mark	4729	1574
PassMark - CPU mark	61105	7119
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	16477	0
Geekbench 4 - Single Core		665
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core		3608

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i9-13900KS	Intel Core i7-990X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Raptor Lake	Gulftown
Launch date	4 Jan 2023	February 2011
Place in performance rating	21	2174
Processor Number	i9-13900KS	i7-990X
Series	13th Generation Intel Core i9 Processors	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Launch price (MSRP)		$1,104
Price now		$349.99
Status		Discontinued
Value for money (0-100)		7.65
Performance
64 bit support
L1 cache	1920 KB	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	32 MB	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	36 MB	12288 KB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	7 nm	32 nm
Maximum core temperature	100°C	67.9°C
Maximum frequency	6.00 GHz	3.73 GHz
Number of cores	24	6
Number of threads	32	12
Base frequency		3.46 GHz
Bus Speed		6.4 GT/s QPI
Die size		239 mm2
Number of QPI Links		1
Transistor count		1170 million
Unlocked
VID voltage range		0.800V-1.375V
Memory
Max memory channels	2	3
Maximum memory bandwidth	89.6 GB/s	25.6 GB/s
Maximum memory size	128 GB	24 GB
Supported memory types	Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s	DDR3 1066
Graphics
Device ID	0xA780
Execution Units	32
Graphics base frequency	300 MHz
Graphics max dynamic frequency	1.65 GHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Processor graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Graphics interfaces
Number of displays supported	4
Graphics image quality
Max resolution over DisplayPort	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP	5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Graphics API support
DirectX	12
OpenGL	4.5
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Sockets supported	FCLGA1700	FCLGA1366
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	150 Watt	130 Watt
Low Halogen Options Available
Package Size		42.5mm X 45.0mm
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	20
PCI Express revision	5.0 and 4.0
PCIe configurations	Up to 1x16+4, 2x8+4
Scalability	1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® OS Guard
Intel® Secure Key technology
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Secure Boot
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2	Intel® SSE4.2
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD)
Speed Shift technology
Thermal Monitoring
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Physical Address Extensions (PAE)		36-bit
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)