Intel Core i9-10850K vs Intel Core i9-13900TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Core i9-10850K wins every single head-to-head test, albeit by narrow margins. Across the six Cinebench comparisons, the 10850K edges ahead by margins ranging from 0.6% to 0.8%. The largest gap appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the 10850K scores 264 against the 13900TE's 262, a 0.8% advantage. Every other test shows the 10850K ahead by 0.6% to 0.7%. The multicore results tell the same story: R15 multicore shows 1873 versus 1861, R20 multicore shows 7808 versus 7758, and R23 multicore shows 18592 versus 18472.

This is a surprising outcome given the architectural gulf between the two parts. The 13900TE is a 24-core, 32-thread processor built on a 10 nm process, while the 10850K is a 10-core, 20-thread chip on 14 nm. Yet the actual benchmark scores are nearly identical. The 13900TE's average benchmark score of 5342 sits just 2% above the 10850K's 5240, and both processors occupy the same 60th percentile among all CPUs. For context, the 13900TE's closest rival is the Intel Core i9-10900KF at 5316 (0.5% delta), while the 10850K sits alongside the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5241 (0% delta) and the Intel Core i5-14401E at 5253 (0.2% delta).

The practical takeaway: if you are looking purely at Cinebench performance, these two processors are effectively interchangeable. The 10850K's slight edge is within run-to-run variance territory, but the data shows a clean sweep. The 13900TE does not win a single head-to-head test in the provided benchmark set. That said, the 13900TE's 60th percentile ranking with an average score of 5342 means it sits in the same performance class as the 10850K, which also ranks at the 60th percentile with an average of 5240. The difference in average scores (about 2%) is larger than any individual head-to-head delta, suggesting the 13900TE may perform relatively better in other benchmark suites not included here.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is substantial, yet it does not translate into benchmark dominance. The 13900TE uses Raptor Lake-S architecture on a 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm², while the 10850K uses Comet Lake on 14 nm with a 206 mm² die. The 13900TE packs 24 cores and 32 threads versus 10 cores and 20 threads on the 10850K. Cache configurations differ dramatically: the 13900TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3, while the 10850K offers 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and only 20 MB of shared L3.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The 10850K has a 3.60 GHz base clock and a 5.20 GHz boost clock, while the 13900TE starts at just 1.00 GHz base and boosts to 5.00 GHz. The 13900TE's low base clock reflects its 35 W TDP, a stark contrast to the 10850K's 125 W TDP. This power envelope difference is likely why the 13900TE's many cores cannot translate into higher multi-threaded scores — it is thermally and power constrained relative to the 10850K.

Memory support also diverges. The 13900TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, while the 10850K is limited to DDR4 only. The 10850K's memory bandwidth is listed at 46.9 GB/s; no comparable figure exists for the 13900TE in the data. ECC memory is supported on the 13900TE but not on the 10850K. PCIe generations differ as well: the 13900TE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 10850K has Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are newer on the 13900TE (UHD Graphics 770 versus UHD Graphics 630 on the 10850K).

The 10850K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the 13900TE is locked. The 10850K is listed as end-of-life production status, released in July 2020, whereas the 13900TE is active, released in January 2023. Socket compatibility is entirely different: the 13900TE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the 10850K uses Intel Socket 1200. The 13900TE's part number is SRMG1; the 10850K's is SRK51.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear but counterintuitive conclusion: for raw Cinebench performance, the Intel Core i9-10850K is the better choice, despite being an older, smaller, and less power-efficient design. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks by 0.6% to 0.8%. If your workload is dominated by Cinebench-style multi-threaded rendering, the 10850K delivers slightly more performance. The 13900TE's 24 cores and 32 threads do not overcome its dramatically lower 35 W TDP and 1.00 GHz base clock in these tests.

However, the 13900TE's advantages lie elsewhere. It supports DDR5 memory, which the 10850K cannot use. It includes ECC memory support, a feature absent from the 10850K. It offers PCIe Gen 5 connectivity versus Gen 3 on the 10850K. Its integrated graphics are newer (UHD Graphics 770 versus UHD Graphics 630). For builders planning a new system with modern components, the 13900TE's platform advantages may outweigh its slight benchmark deficit.

The 10850K's 125 W TDP and unlocked multiplier make it a better candidate for overclocking, though the data does not include overclocked results. Its higher base clock (3.60 GHz) and boost clock (5.20 GHz) suggest it can sustain higher clocks under load without relying on the power management features that constrain the 13900TE. The 10850K is end-of-life, however, which may affect availability and long-term support.

In terms of overall CPU ranking, both sit at the 60th percentile with average scores within 2% of each other. Neither is a performance outlier in either direction. The choice comes down to platform priorities: the 13900TE offers modern features and efficiency, while the 10850K offers marginally better benchmark performance and overclocking headroom.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i9-10850K wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with deltas ranging from -0.6% to -0.8% relative to the 13900TE.

Q: How much faster is the 10850K in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The 10850K scores 18592 in Cinebench R23 multicore versus 18472 for the 13900TE, a difference of 0.6%.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The 13900TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the 10850K has 10 cores and 20 threads. The 13900TE has 14 more cores and 12 more threads.

Q: Do both CPUs support DDR5 memory?

A: No. The 13900TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The 10850K supports DDR4 only.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The 13900TE has a 35 W TDP, while the 10850K has a 125 W TDP. The 10850K draws significantly more power.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The 10850K boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the 13900TE boosts to 5.00 GHz. The 10850K also has a much higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 1.00 GHz.

Q: Are both CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The 10850K has an unlocked multiplier, while the 13900TE is locked.

Where Each One Wins

The 10850K wins on pure benchmark performance. Every Cinebench score in the head-to-head data favors it, with single-core and multicore results both showing consistent 0.6% to 0.8% advantages. For users running Cinebench or similar rendering workloads, the 10850K delivers more performance per run. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.60 GHz and 5.20 GHz versus 1.00 GHz and 5.00 GHz) also suggest better sustained performance in short, bursty workloads that do not fully engage all cores. The unlocked multiplier is another win for enthusiasts who plan to overclock, though the data does not include overclocked results.

The 13900TE wins on platform modernity and efficiency. Its 35 W TDP is a fraction of the 10850K's 125 W, making it far better suited for compact or power-constrained builds. It supports DDR5 memory, which the 10850K cannot use, and offers ECC memory support for workstation-class reliability. PCIe Gen 5 connectivity (versus Gen 3 on the 10850K) future-proofs the platform for next-generation storage and graphics. The 13900TE's newer integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770 versus UHD Graphics 630) provide better display output options. It is also an active production part, whereas the 10850K is end-of-life. For a new build in 2024 and beyond, the 13900TE's platform advantages are significant, even if its benchmark scores lag slightly.

The 13900TE's 24 cores and 32 threads versus 10 cores and 20 threads on the 10850K suggest that in workloads that are not power-limited and can scale beyond Cinebench's threading model, the 13900TE could pull ahead. The data does not include such tests, but the core count difference is stark. Similarly, the 13900TE's 36 MB of shared L3 cache versus 20 MB on the 10850K could benefit cache-sensitive applications. The 10850K's larger per-core L2 (256 KB versus 2 MB on the 13900TE — note the 13900TE has 2 MB per core, so this is actually larger) — the data shows the 13900TE has 2 MB L2 per core versus 256 KB on the 10850K, which is a massive difference in favor of the 13900TE.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-13900TE | Intel Core i9-10850K |

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

| Cores | 24 | 10 |

| Threads | 32 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 1.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Comet Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 206 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 46.9 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2020-07-26 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRMG1 | SRK51 |