Intel Core i5-14490F vs Intel Core i7-13700 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core i7-13700, taking 14 of 17 benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-14490F wins only 3. However, the margins and specific workloads tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests.

The i7-13700 dominates in every multi-threaded rendering test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 3692 against the i5-14490F's 2318, a 37.2% advantage. The R20 multi-core gap is 24.6%, with the i7 at 12806 versus 9660. Even in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the gap narrows to 9.3% (25369 vs 23000), the i7-13700 remains clearly ahead. These are large, consistent leads that reflect the i7's higher core and thread counts.

The i7-13700 also wins decisively in integer and floating-point math. PassMark integer math shows a 36.8% lead (138974 vs 87844), and floating-point math shows a 31.9% lead (97723 vs 66558). Data compression favors the i7 by 23.4% (443900 vs 340026), and data encryption by 29% (25653 vs 18225). Random string sorting is 23.3% faster on the i7 (46418 vs 35608), and extended instructions are 18.2% ahead (26578 vs 21731). Prime number finding is 17% faster on the i7 (147 vs 122). The PassMark multi-thread score goes to the i7 by 21.2% (36387 vs 28662).

The i5-14490F strikes back in single-core rendering. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a massive 61.7% advantage for the i5 (3247 vs 2008.5). Cinebench R15 single-core also goes to the i5 by 14.7% (327 vs 285). PassMark physics is nearly a tie, but the i5 edges it out by 1.9% (2093 vs 2053). However, the i7-13700 wins PassMark single-thread by 5.6% (4101 vs 3873), and Cinebench R20 single-core goes to the i7 by 24.6% (1807 vs 1363). These single-core results are inconsistent enough that the win in R23 is notable but not universal.

The database averages reflect the overall balance. The i5-14490F has an average benchmark score of 38149 and sits at the 86th percentile among all CPUs. The i7-13700 averages 37135 and sits at the 85th percentile. Despite losing most head-to-head tests, the i5 actually has a slightly higher average score across its full benchmark suite. This is because the i7-13700's benchmark list includes 3DMark tests (16-thread, 2-thread, 4-thread, 8-thread, max-thread, single-thread) that are not recorded for the i5, and those scores pull its average down.

In the nearest-rival comparison, the i5-14490F sits within 0.3% of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T, the Intel Core i5-13600KF, the AMD Ryzen 7 250, and the Intel Core i5-13600HX. The i7-13700 sits within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen 7 160, the Intel Core i9-12900T, the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450. This places both processors in the same competitive tier, with the i5 slightly higher in average score.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700 is consistently faster in multi-core tests. It leads by 37.2% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 24.6% in R20 multi-core, 9.3% in R23 multi-core, and 21.2% in PassMark multi-thread.

Q: Does the i5-14490F win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 14.7%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 61.7%, and PassMark physics by 1.9%.

Q: How do their overall averages compare?

A: The i5-14490F has a higher average benchmark score at 38149, compared to 37135 for the i7-13700. The i5 also sits at the 86th percentile versus the 85th percentile for the i7.

Q: Which one has more cores and threads?

A: The i7-13700 has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i7-13700 includes UHD Graphics 770, while the i5-14490F has no integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-13700 is the clear choice for multi-threaded productivity. Its 14 benchmark wins include every major rendering, math, compression, encryption, and sorting test. The margins in Cinebench R15 multi-core (37.2%) and integer math (36.8%) are decisive. If the workload is video rendering, data processing, or any heavily parallel task, the data points firmly to the i7-13700.

The Intel Core i5-14490F wins only 3 benchmarks, but one of them is a spectacular 61.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. It also wins R15 single-core and PassMark physics. For users whose primary load is lightly threaded, such as older games or single-threaded applications, the i5 has a measurable advantage in specific tests, though the i7 wins PassMark single-thread by 5.6% and R20 single-core by 24.6%. The single-core picture is mixed, not one-sided.

The average benchmark score favors the i5 slightly (38149 vs 37135), and its percentile is one point higher (86 vs 85). This suggests that across a broader suite, the i5 is not far behind. However, the head-to-head data shows the i7 winning the majority of direct comparisons by wide margins in multi-thread, and the i5 winning only narrow or single-core specific tests. The i7-13700 is the safer pick for general use, while the i5-14490F has a specific niche in single-core rendering.

Specification Differences

The core count difference is the most significant spec gap. The i7-13700 has 16 cores and 24 threads, versus 10 cores and 16 threads for the i5-14490F. The i7 also has a higher boost clock at 5.20 GHz versus 5.00 GHz, while the i5 has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 2.10 GHz. Both are locked processors with a 65W TDP and use the Intel Socket 1700.

The i7-13700 has a larger L3 cache at 30 MB shared, compared to 24 MB shared on the i5. The L2 cache also differs: the i7 has 2 MB per core, while the i5 has 1.25 MB per core. Both have 80 KB L1 cache per core. The i7's die size is 257 mm², while the i5 is smaller at 215 mm². The i7-13700 supports ECC memory, while the i5-14490F does not. The i7 has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the i5 has none.

The release dates differ by about a year. The i7-13700 was released on 2023-01-03, and the i5-14490F on 2023-12-31. Their part numbers also differ: SRN35 for the i5 and SRMBA for the i7. The i7-13700 has a launch MSRP of $384; no MSRP is recorded for the i5-14490F.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use the same Raptor Lake architecture, but with different codenames. The i5-14490F is Raptor Lake-R, part of the Raptor Lake Refresh generation, while the i7-13700 is Raptor Lake-S from the original Raptor Lake generation. Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process node and fabricated by Intel.

The core configurations differ substantially. The i7-13700 offers 6 more cores and 8 more threads, which directly explains its multi-thread benchmark dominance. The larger L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB) and larger L2 cache per core (2 MB vs 1.25 MB) on the i7 also contribute to its performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

The i5-14490F's refresh status brings a higher base clock (2.50 GHz vs 2.10 GHz) despite a lower boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 5.20 GHz). The i5 also lacks integrated graphics and ECC support, making it a more specialized part. The i7-13700's die is larger (257 mm² vs 215 mm²), reflecting the additional cores and cache.

Both processors support PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and both use dual-channel memory with DDR4 and DDR5 support. Neither is multiplier unlocked. The production status is Active for both.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-13700 is the choice for multi-threaded rendering. The Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core scores all favor it, with margins from 9.3% to 37.2%. It also wins every PassMark math test: integer math by 36.8%, floating-point math by 31.9%, and extended instructions by 18.2%. Data compression (23.4% lead), data encryption (29% lead), and random string sorting (23.3% lead) all belong to the i7. Prime number finding is 17% faster on the i7. The PassMark multi-thread score is 21.2% higher on the i7. If the workload involves video encoding, 3D rendering, file compression, encryption, or scientific computing, the i7-13700 is the data-backed winner.

The Intel Core i5-14490F wins in specific single-core tests. The Cinebench R23 single-core result is a standout: 3247 versus 2008.5, a 61.7% lead. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 14.7%, and PassMark physics by 1.9%. For workloads that are not heavily threaded and rely on a single core, such as certain legacy applications or lightly threaded games, the i5 shows a measurable edge in these specific tests. However, the i7 wins PassMark single-thread by 5.6% and Cinebench R20 single-core by 24.6%, so the single-core advantage is not consistent across all tests.

The i5-14490F also has the higher average benchmark score and percentile, which indicates that across its recorded benchmark set, it performs slightly better overall than the i7-13700 on average. This is despite losing most head-to-head comparisons, and it reflects the different benchmark suites recorded for each processor. The i5's higher base clock and smaller die may contribute to its efficiency in certain tasks.

For a PC builder, the decision comes down to workload. If the machine is for multi-threaded productivity, the i7-13700's 16 cores and 24 threads deliver consistent, large wins. If the priority is single-core performance in specific rendering tests, the i5-14490F's R23 single-core result is the strongest argument in its favor. The i7 also offers integrated graphics and ECC support, which the i5 lacks. The i5's higher average score and percentile are notable, but the head-to-head data favors the i7 in the majority of direct comparisons.