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As the Intel Core i5 14600K vs. Core i7 13700K debate heats up with the release of Intel’s 14th-generation lineup, many PC builders are left wondering whether to upgrade or not. This question becomes even more pertinent given that most 14th-generation SKUs don’t seem to offer significant architectural advancements over their predecessors.
To help you navigate this dilemma, we’ve crafted a comprehensive guide that compares these two CPUs head-on. We’ll delve into various benchmarks, scrutinize their hardware, and assess their power efficiency and consumption to determine which processor offers the best value for your money.
Intel Core i5 14600K vs. Core i7 13700K: Specs comparison
Core i7 is a higher-end processor compared to Core i5, and this reflects thoughtfully in Intel Core i5 14600K vs. Core i7 13700K. Although, a part of the latest generation processors, Core i5 14600K is left behind Core i7 13700K in terms of the number of cores. The Core i5 14600K features 14 cores, whereas the Core 17 13700K boasts 16 cores.
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Not just that, the Core i7 13700K is ahead of the Core i5 14600K in several other specifications. One of those is the total number of threads each processor can run, and it is 20 for i5 14600K and 24 for i7 13700K.
Memory
Another significant difference is in the cache memory. The new generation processor has a total of 44 MB of cache memory. On the other hand, the Core i7 13700K has 54 MB cache memory.
However, there are some similarities, too. For example, both have a TDP of 125W and support ECC memory. Moreover, they both share the same socket, which is LGA 1700.
Here’s the entire specs comparison table:
| Specs | Core i5 14600K | Core i7 13700K |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Cores | 6x Raptor Cove | 8x Raptor Cove |
| Efficiency Cores | 8x Gracemont | 8x Gracemont |
| Threads | 20 | 24 |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| DDR4 and DDR5 Support | Yes | Yes |
| P-Core Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.40 GHz |
| P-Core Boost Clock | 5.30 GHz | 5.40 GHz |
| E-Core Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.50 GHz |
| E-Core Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.20 GHz |
| Max. Bandwidth | 96.0 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |
| Cache | 44 MB | 54 MG |
| TDP | 125W | 125W |
| GPU (Turbo) | 1.55 GHz | 1.60 GHz |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 |
The Core i7 13700K looks good in most parts. But that does not mean the Core i5 14600K is defeated already. Even the Core i5 14600K has some features that make it better than the Core i7 13700K in some places.
To begin with, it has a better bandwidth of 96.0 GB/s compared to the i7 13700K’s 89.6 GB/s.
Secondly, it has a better base frequency in both performance and efficiency cores. Its base performance core frequency of 3.5 GHz and its base efficiency core frequency of 2.6 GHz are better than the Core i7 13700K’s 3.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, respectively.
Intel Core i5 14600K vs. Core i7 13700K: Performance
The Core i7 13700K looks better than the Core i5 14600K on paper. But what about the actual performance?
In terms of pure performance, the Core i7 13700K holds the upper hand in multi-core performance due to its higher number of performance cores and slightly faster boost clock speeds. But when it comes to single-core performance, the Core i5 14600K wins.
The GeekBench v6 report for the Core i7 13700K shows that the single-core and multi-core performance scores are 2726 and 19215, respectively. On the other hand, the report for the Core i5 14600K shows that the single-core and multi-core performance scores are 2861 and 17974, respectively.
As you can see, the performance of the Core i5 14600K is 5% better in single-core. But in the multi-core performance, the Core i7 13700K is 7% faster.
Intel Core i5 14600K vs. Core i7 13700K price
Since the Core i7 13700K offers better specs and multi-core performance, its price is also on the higher side. You can get within the price range of $409 to $419. The Intel Core i5 14600K comes at an affordable price of $329. Hence, both offer a similar value compared to their prices.
Conclusion
The choice between the Intel Core i5 14600K and the Core i7 13700K depends on your specific requirements and budget. If you want the absolute best performance and are willing to pay a premium for it, the Core i7 13700K is the way to go.
However, if you’re looking for a more cost-effective option that still offers excellent performance, the Core i5 14600K is a compelling choice.
Ultimately, the “better value” will depend on what you need from your CPU and how much you’re willing to invest in your system. But overall, we would say that the Core i7 13700K might have a slight edge here.
