AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core i7-13700F Comparison

The Intel Core i7-13700F and AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D represent two very different philosophies for a desktop CPU: one leans on a high core count and the other on a smaller number of very fast cores with a massive cache. The benchmark data shows a clear split, with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D winning the majority of head-to-head tests (14 wins vs. 9 for the Intel), but the Intel chip takes decisive victories in several heavily multi-threaded workloads. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D posts an average benchmark score of 39768 against the Intel's 39009, placing it at the 87th percentile of all CPUs compared to the Intel's 86th.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking difference appears in the Cinebench tests, where the results are wildly divergent. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i7-13700F scores 32101, which is a massive 38.2% ahead of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's score of 23230. The single-core result in the same test is even more lopsided, with the Intel chip scoring 4532 against the AMD's 2080, a 117.9% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Intel wins by 39% (456 vs. 328). These results indicate the Intel processor is significantly faster in this specific rendering workload, likely due to its higher core count of 16 versus 8.

However, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D dominates in other areas. In Geekbench, the AMD chip wins both multi-core and single-core tests, scoring 18696 and 2964 respectively, compared to the Intel's 15058 and 2225. This translates to a 19.5% lead in multi-core and a 24.9% lead in single-core. The 3DMark suite also favors the AMD processor, with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D winning the 2, 4, 8, and 16-thread tests. The largest margin is in the 8-thread test, where the AMD scores 8252 against the Intel's 7136, a 13.5% difference.

The Passmark suite provides a more nuanced picture. The Intel Core i7-13700F wins heavily in floating point math (100422 vs. 79456, a 26.4% lead) and integer math (141370 vs. 116709, a 21.1% lead), demonstrating strength in pure computational throughput. It also wins data encryption by 21.7% and random string sorting by 3%. Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D shows a massive 63.1% lead in the find prime numbers test (423 vs. 156) and a 27.1% lead in extended instructions (38808 vs. 28295). The AMD also wins the physics test with a 45.2% margin (4083 vs. 2236) and edges out the Intel in the overall Passmark multithread score (40009 vs. 38369, a 4.1% lead).

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins the majority of single-thread tests. It leads in 3DMark single-thread (1212 vs. 1092), Geekbench single-core (2964 vs. 2225), and Passmark single-thread (4430 vs. 4121). However, the Intel Core i7-13700F is dramatically faster in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 4532 against the AMD's 2080.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-13700F always better for multi-core workloads because it has more cores?

A: No. While the Intel chip has 16 cores and 24 threads compared to the AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads, it does not win every multi-core test. The Intel wins Cinebench R23 multi-core (32101 vs. 23230) and 3DMark max-threads (10716 vs. 10067), but the AMD wins Geekbench multi-core (18696 vs. 15058) and Passmark multithread (40009 vs. 38369).

Q: What is the difference in their L3 cache sizes?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a significantly larger L3 cache at 96 MB (shared), compared to the Intel Core i7-13700F's 30 MB (shared). The AMD also has 1 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel has 2 MB per core.

Q: Do these CPUs support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-13700F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D supports only DDR5.

Q: How do their average scores compare to their closest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700F has an average benchmark score of 39009, which is 0.5% lower than the AMD EPYC 4245P and 1.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an average score of 39768, which is 0.7% higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 and 0.8% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 7700.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for two different user profiles. The Intel Core i7-13700F is the choice for productivity workloads that scale with core count, specifically in Cinebench rendering. Its 38.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a decisive advantage for 3D artists and video editors who rely on that software. The 117.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is an anomaly that further solidifies its dominance in that specific benchmark.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the better all-around performer for gaming and general desktop responsiveness. Its wins in Geekbench multi-core (19.5% lead) and single-core (24.9% lead) suggest a more balanced and capable architecture for everyday tasks. The massive 63.1% lead in the Passmark find prime numbers test and the 45.2% lead in physics point to strengths in specific simulation and calculation tasks.

For a user building a workstation primarily for Cinebench-based rendering, the Intel chip is the obvious pick from the data. For a user who wants the best performance in a wider variety of tasks, including gaming and general computing, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D appears to be the stronger option. The Intel's 9 wins are mostly in specific math and compression tasks, while the AMD's 14 wins cover a broader range of benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in core configuration. The Intel Core i7-13700F has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads. The base clock speeds are also distinct, with the Intel running at 2.10 GHz and the AMD at a much higher 4.70 GHz. Both share a 5.20 GHz boost clock.

The platforms are entirely different. The Intel uses the Intel Socket 1700, has a TDP of 65, and a launch MSRP of $359. The AMD uses the AMD Socket AM5, has a TDP of 120, and a launch MSRP of $479. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD supports only DDR5. The AMD also has ECC memory support, which the Intel lacks. The Intel has 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the AMD has 24. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D also includes integrated Radeon Graphics, while the Intel Core i7-13700F has no integrated graphics listed.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architecture behind these CPUs is very different. The Intel Core i7-13700F is based on the Raptor Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process by Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture, built on a 4 nm process by TSMC, with a die size of 70.6 mm² and a transistor count of 8,315 million. The AMD's smaller and denser process node is a key factor in its efficiency and higher base clock.

Cache configuration is a major differentiator. While both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, the Intel has 2 MB of L2 cache per core, while the AMD has 1 MB. The most significant difference is in L3 cache: the Intel has 30 MB shared, while the AMD has a massive 96 MB shared. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D also has its multiplier unlocked, allowing for overclocking, whereas the Intel Core i7-13700F is locked.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-13700F wins in workloads that benefit from a high core count and sustained throughput. It is the clear winner in Cinebench R23 multi-core (32101 vs. 23230) and Cinebench R15 single-core (456 vs. 328). It also excels in Passmark integer math (141370 vs. 116709) and floating-point math (100422 vs. 79456), making it a strong candidate for number-crunching tasks like scientific simulations or financial modeling. Its wins in data encryption (26956 vs. 22158) and random string sorting (49974 vs. 48526) also give it an edge in database and security-related workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins in scenarios that are more latency-sensitive or rely on strong single-thread performance. Its massive 63.1% lead in Passmark find prime numbers and 45.2% lead in physics suggest it is better suited for physics simulations and prime-number-related calculations. The wins in Geekbench single-core (2964 vs. 2225) and Passmark single-thread (4430 vs. 4121) indicate better responsiveness in everyday applications. The AMD's dominance in the 3DMark suite, including a 13.5% lead in the 8-thread test, points to an advantage in gaming and real-time 3D workloads. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the pick for a gaming-focused build, while the Intel Core i7-13700F is the pick for heavily threaded productivity.