Intel Core i9-13900K vs Intel Core i9-13900KS Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-13900KS and Intel Core i9-13900K share the same 24-core, 32-thread Raptor Lake architecture, but the benchmark data shows a clear pattern: the KS variant wins 24 of the 25 head-to-head comparisons. The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the KS scores 7252 against the K's 2238.5, a dominant 224% advantage. That massive gap is mirrored in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the KS leads 730 to 318, a 129.6% difference. These are not incremental gains; they represent a fundamental shift in single-threaded performance between the two parts.

The Cinebench R23 multicore test tells a similar story, with the KS scoring 51368 versus the K's 38271.5, a 34.2% lead. This is the largest multicore delta in the dataset. Meanwhile, Cinebench R20 multicore shows the KS ahead by 4% (21574 vs 20740), and Geekbench multicore shows a 3.4% edge (23607 vs 22820). The KS also takes 3DMark max threads with 16243 points against 15509, a 4.7% win, and 3DMark 16 threads with 11616 versus 11201, a 3.7% improvement.

The one exception to the KS sweep is Cinebench R15 multicore, where the K actually wins with 5805.5 against the KS's 5177, a 10.8% deficit for the KS. This outlier is notable because it runs counter to every other multicore test. The recorded data shows the K outperforming in this specific legacy benchmark, though the reason is not visible in the scores themselves. Elsewhere, the KS holds consistent advantages: PassMark multithread shows 60644 vs 58589 (3.5% lead), PassMark physics shows 3441 vs 3140 (9.6% lead), and PassMark find prime numbers shows 257 vs 236 (8.9% lead).

Single-threaded tests beyond Cinebench also favor the KS. Geekbench single-core has the KS at 2771 against 2628, a 5.4% edge. 3DMark single-thread shows 1226 vs 1187, a 3.3% lead. PassMark single-thread records 4712 for both the KS and its duplicate entry, against 4608 for the K, a 2.3% gain. The KS wins 3DMark 2 threads (2412 vs 2355, 2.4%), 3DMark 4 threads (4754 vs 4648, 2.3%), and 3DMark 8 threads (8812 vs 8520, 3.4%).

In the PassMark suite, the KS leads in data compression (814838 vs 793645, 2.7%), data encryption (47772 vs 46609, 2.5%), extended instructions (48217 vs 46477, 3.7%), floating-point math (154805 vs 151562, 2.1%), integer math (211027 vs 207792, 1.6%), and random string sorting (90257 vs 87705, 2.9%). The smallest margin is in integer math at 1.6%, showing that even the closest contests still favor the KS.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-13900KS outperforms the Intel Core i9-13900K in nearly every recorded benchmark. The KS wins 24 of 25 head-to-head tests, with only the Cinebench R15 multicore result going to the K. The average benchmark score for the KS is 64051, compared to 61766 for the K, a difference of roughly 3.7%. The KS also holds a higher percentile ranking at 93 versus 92 for the K, placing it above the K in the global CPU distribution.

For users who prioritize raw single-thread performance, the KS is the clear choice. The 224% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and the 129.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core are not minor differences; they indicate a dramatically faster single-threaded execution profile. The KS also delivers meaningful multicore gains, with a 34.2% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore and a 4% edge in Cinebench R20 multicore. These are the kinds of margins that matter for rendering, compilation, and other heavily threaded workloads.

The K, however, is not without merit. Its win in Cinebench R15 multicore, where it scores 5805.5 versus the KS's 5177, suggests that in at least one legacy scenario, the K can pull ahead. The K also has a lower TDP at 125 watts compared to the KS's 150 watts, which may translate to less demanding cooling requirements, though the database does not include thermal or power consumption measurements beyond those figures. The K also launched at $589 as its MSRP, while the KS launched at $699, a difference of $110.

Pick the KS if the benchmark wins matter most and you want the fastest recorded scores in both single-thread and multi-thread tests. Pick the K if the single Cinebench R15 multicore win is relevant to your workload, or if the lower TDP and lower launch MSRP are decisive factors. The data shows the KS as the superior processor in aggregate, but the K remains a strong alternative for specific use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13900KS dominates across the board, but the distribution of wins reveals where each processor excels. The KS wins every 3DMark test, from single-thread (1226 vs 1187) to max threads (16243 vs 15509). This suggests consistent strength across thread counts in the 3DMark suite, with deltas ranging from 2.3% to 4.7%. For gaming workloads that rely on 3DMark-style physics and rendering, the KS has a measurable edge.

In Cinebench, the KS wins R20 multicore (21574 vs 20740), R20 single-core (3045 vs 2927), R23 multicore (51368 vs 38271.5), and R23 single-core (7252 vs 2238.5). The R23 single-core result is the largest win in the entire dataset at 224%, making the KS the definitive choice for single-threaded rendering tasks. The K's only win in Cinebench is R15 multicore, where it scores 5805.5 against 5177, a 10.8% margin. This makes the K preferable for legacy Cinebench R15 multicore workloads, though the practical relevance of that single test depends on the user's software.

Geekbench results favor the KS in both multicore (23607 vs 22820, 3.4%) and single-core (2771 vs 2628, 5.4%). PassMark tests all go to the KS, with the largest wins in physics (3441 vs 3140, 9.6%) and find prime numbers (257 vs 236, 8.9%). The smallest PassMark delta is in integer math (211027 vs 207792, 1.6%), where the KS still wins but by a narrower margin.

For users running mixed workloads, the KS offers the broadest advantage. The only scenario where the K wins is the specific Cinebench R15 multicore test, so users who rely on that exact benchmark should consider the K. Everyone else should expect the KS to deliver higher scores across 3DMark, Geekbench, PassMark, and the newer Cinebench versions.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900KS has a boost clock of 6.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i9-13900K has a boost clock of 5.80 GHz.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The KS scores 51368, which is 34.2% higher than the K's 38271.5. This is the largest multicore delta in the head-to-head data.

Q: Does the K win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the K wins Cinebench R15 multicore with 5805.5 points against the KS's 5177, a 10.8% advantage. This is the K's only win out of 25 tests.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The KS has an average benchmark score of 64051, while the K has an average of 61766. The KS also ranks in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, versus the 92nd percentile for the K.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 24 cores and 32 threads. They also share the same L1 cache of 80 KB per core, L2 cache of 2 MB per core, and L3 cache of 36 MB shared.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The KS has a TDP of 150 watts, while the K has a TDP of 125 watts. The database does not include power consumption measurements beyond these figures.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-S codename, manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process node. The die size is identical at 257 mm² for both. They share the same 24-core, 32-thread configuration, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and both have ECC memory support. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 on both parts, and both have an unlocked multiplier.

The key architectural difference lies in clock speeds. The KS has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 6.00 GHz, while the K has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. This 200 MHz boost clock advantage for the KS explains much of its performance lead in single-threaded tests. The TDP also differs, with the KS rated at 150 watts versus 125 watts for the K, indicating the KS is designed to sustain higher clocks under load.

PCIe lane counts differ as well. The KS supports Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the K supports Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). This gives the KS additional PCIe bandwidth for expansion cards or storage. Memory bandwidth is listed as 89.6 GB/s for the KS, while the K's memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Both processors use the Intel Socket 1700 and belong to the Core 13th Gen series. The KS was released on 2023-01-11, while the K was released on 2022-09-26. The part numbers are SRMBX for the KS and SRMBH for the K. Both are currently marked as Active in production status. The launch MSRP is $699 for the KS and $589 for the K. The KS carries a higher TDP and higher clocks, which aligns with its higher benchmark scores across nearly all recorded tests.