Intel Core i7-13700K vs Intel Core i7-13700KF Comparison

The Intel Core i7-13700KF and Intel Core i7-13700K are near-identical performers, separated by a razor-thin margin in the aggregate data. The 13700KF holds an average benchmark score of 47,334 against the 13700K’s 47,282, a delta of just 0.1%. Across 25 head-to-head tests, the KF variant wins 15, while the K variant wins 10, but the margins are consistently under 3%. This is a matchup defined not by architectural disparity, but by the presence or absence of integrated graphics—and the benchmark results reflect that the silicon underneath is effectively the same.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the Intel Core i7-13700KF comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 2,892 against the 13700K’s 2,850, a 1.5% advantage. This is the only test where either CPU leads by more than a single percentage point, aside from the 13700K’s wins in PassMark physics and find prime numbers. In the 3DMark suite, the KF model takes every round, but the deltas are minimal: 0.3% in 16-thread (10,749 vs 10,717), 0.1% in 4-thread (4,474 vs 4,469), 0.5% in 8-thread (8,230 vs 8,193), and 0.4% in max-thread (12,462 vs 12,412). The single-thread 3DMark result is a near tie at 1,137 vs 1,136.

The Intel Core i7-13700K counters in the Cinebench family, winning all six tests. The biggest margin there is a 0.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore (3,931 vs 3,925) and single-core (554 vs 553). In Cinebench R20, the K leads by 0.1% in multicore (16,380 vs 16,356) and 0.2% in single-core (2,312 vs 2,308). R23 shows a similar pattern: 39,000 vs 38,943 in multicore and 5,505 vs 5,497 in single-core. The 13700K’s clearest victory is in Geekbench multicore, where it scores 17,731 against the KF’s 17,510—a 1.2% gap that stands as the second-largest differential in the entire comparison.

PassMark results split the field. The KF wins data compression (596,493 vs 595,292), data encryption (33,314 vs 33,249), extended instructions (36,700 vs 36,625), floating-point math (114,997 vs 114,867), integer math (154,507 vs 154,446), random string sorting (62,726 vs 62,670), and both single-thread entries (4,336 vs 4,333). The K takes PassMark multithread (45,887 vs 45,817), physics (2,716 vs 2,650, a 2.4% lead), and find prime numbers (191 vs 186, a 2.6% lead). The physics and prime-number wins are the K’s largest margins overall, suggesting a slight edge in specific integer-heavy or simulation workloads, though the sample size is narrow.

The aggregate picture is one of statistical equivalence. With 15 wins for the KF and 10 for the K, and most deltas hovering near zero, the data indicates that any single benchmark run could flip the result due to thermal or silicon lottery variance. The 0.1% average score delta (47,334 vs 47,282) is well within run-to-run noise for most workloads.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-S, using Intel’s 10 nm process node. They share the exact same core configuration: 16 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The thermal design power is identical at 125 W, and both are unlocked for overclocking, with the multiplier unlocked on each. The die size is 257 mm², and both use the Intel Socket 1700.

Cache hierarchies are identical: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. Memory support extends to DDR4 and DDR5, both on a dual-channel bus, with ECC memory support enabled on both. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The part numbers differ—SRMB9 for the KF and SRMB8 for the K—but this reflects the integrated graphics difference rather than any compute change.

The sole architectural distinction is the integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-13700K includes UHD Graphics 770, while the 13700KF lists no integrated graphics. This omission is the entire reason for the KF’s existence, and it has no measurable impact on CPU-bound benchmark scores. The data confirms that removing the iGPU does not alter the processor’s compute performance, as both chips post nearly identical results across every test. The KF’s slight wins in some tests and the K’s wins in others are random rather than systematic, reinforcing that the underlying silicon is functionally identical.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The data shows a split. The Intel Core i7-13700KF wins Geekbench single-core (2,892 vs 2,850, a 1.5% lead) and 3DMark single-thread (1,137 vs 1,136), but the 13700K leads in Cinebench R15 single-core (554 vs 553), R20 single-core (2,312 vs 2,308), and R23 single-core (5,505 vs 5,497). The PassMark single-thread result is a tie at 4,336 vs 4,333.

Q: Does the lack of integrated graphics affect multi-core performance?

A: No. In multi-core tests, the results are nearly identical. The 13700KF scores 12,462 in 3DMark max-threads, while the 13700K scores 12,412—a 0.4% delta. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the K leads with 39,000 vs 38,943, a 0.1% difference. The KF wins PassMark multithread at 45,817 vs 45,887 for the K, a 0.2% gap. These differences are within noise.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700KF has an average benchmark score of 47,334, while the 13700K scores 47,282. The 13700KF leads by 0.1%. Both CPUs sit at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Are there any workloads where the 13700K clearly wins?

A: The largest wins for the 13700K are in PassMark physics (2,716 vs 2,650, a 2.4% lead) and PassMark find prime numbers (191 vs 186, a 2.6% lead). It also wins Geekbench multicore by 1.2% (17,731 vs 17,510). However, these are isolated cases rather than a consistent pattern.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory and expansion features?

A: Yes. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, with ECC memory support. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The socket is Intel Socket 1700 for both.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700KF has a launch MSRP of $384, and the Intel Core i7-13700K has a launch MSRP of $409.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a simple conclusion: choose based on the integrated graphics requirement, not performance. The 13700KF and 13700K are functionally interchangeable in compute tasks, with the largest single-test delta being 2.6% in PassMark find prime numbers—a result that favors the 13700K but does not represent a meaningful advantage across the broader suite.

For systems with a discrete graphics card, the 13700KF is the data-supported pick. It wins 15 of 25 head-to-head tests, including all 3DMark entries and the majority of PassMark workloads. Its average score of 47,334 edges out the K’s 47,282, and it achieves this without the integrated graphics hardware, which is irrelevant in a discrete-GPU build. The 13700K is the better choice only when the integrated UHD Graphics 770 is needed, such as for troubleshooting or temporary display output without a GPU. In that scenario, the K’s performance is essentially identical, with a 0.1% lower average score but 10 wins in the head-to-head, including the Cinebench series and Geekbench multicore.

Users who overclock should note that both chips are multiplier-unlocked and share the same 125 W TDP, so headroom is likely similar. The 0.1% average delta between them is negligible, meaning either chip will deliver the same experience in gaming, rendering, and productivity. The decision reduces to whether the integrated graphics are worth the delta in launch MSRP between the two. The data does not suggest any performance penalty for choosing the KF, nor any benefit for the K beyond the iGPU itself.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-13700KF | Intel Core i7-13700K |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Part Number | SRMB9 | SRMB8 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $409 |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 47,334 | 47,282 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 93 | 93 |

| Wins in Head-to-Head (out of 25) | 15 | 10 |

All other specifications are identical: 16 cores, 24 threads, 3.40 GHz base clock, 5.40 GHz boost clock, 125 W TDP, Intel Socket 1700, Raptor Lake architecture, 10 nm process node, 257 mm² die size, 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, 30 MB shared L3, DDR4/DDR5 dual-channel memory with ECC support, PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, unlocked multiplier, and an active production status. The release date for both is September 26, 2022.