Intel has rolled out its latest generation of desktop processors – codenamed Raptor Lake – with impressive gains over previous generations. As the successor to Alder Lake, Raptor Lake aims to push the performance envelope even further.
In this deep dive, we‘ll explore everything there is to know about these new 13th-gen Intel CPUs.
Overview of Intel Raptor Lake
Raptor Lake represents the 13th generation in Intel‘s renowned lineup of Core processors. Building upon the hybrid architecture first introduced with 12th-gen Alder Lake, Raptor Lake combines both high-performance "P-cores" and efficient "E-cores" on the same chip.
The headlining upgrade comes from Raptor Lake‘s new Raptor Cove performance cores. By adding more L2 cache and boosting clock speeds, these P-cores deliver substantially better single-threaded and gaming performance.
Meanwhile, support for faster DDR5 memory and the latest PCIe 5.0 standard future-proof Raptor Lake rigs. Simply put, everything gets an enhancement – leading to double-digit percentage gains for both multi and single-threaded workloads.
For PC builders and upgraders alike, Raptor Lake also maintains compatibility with existing Alder Lake motherboards. Though matching the CPU with an updated Intel 700-series motherboard unlocks full functionality.
Raptor Lake Model Numbers and Pricing
Raptor Lake processors are segmented across consumer i5, i7, and i9 models. Here‘s a breakdown of each variant with launch day MSRP pricing:
- Core i5-13600K – $319
- Core i5-13600KF – $294 (no iGPU)
- Core i7-13700K – $409
- Core i7-13700KF – $384 (no iGPU)
- Core i9-13900K – $589
- Core i9-13900KF – $564 (no iGPU)
Real-world pricing remains slightly inflated over MSRP due to demand and supply constraints. Though prices should normalize after the new processors become widely available.
As with all previous generations, Intel has left the door open for enthusiasts to overclock K and KF models for extra performance. For most users however, the out-of-the-box speeds will be more than sufficient.
Raptor Lake vs. Alder Lake Spec Comparison
On paper, Raptor Lake touts hardware improvements almost entirely across the board:
| Component | Core i9-13900K | Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 2022 | November 2021 |
| Process Node | 10 nm | 10 nm |
| P-Cores/E-Cores | 8P + 16E (24 total) | 8P + 8E (16 total) |
| P-Core Threads | 16 | 16 |
| E-Core Threads | 16 | 8 |
| Total Threads | 32 | 24 |
| P-Core Boost Clock | Up to 5.8 GHz | Up to 5.2 GHz |
| E-Core Boost Clock | Up to 4.3 GHz | Up to 3.9 GHz |
| Cache | 68MB Total | 30MB |
| Memory Support | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-4800 |
| PCIe Version | PCIe Gen 5.0 | PCIe Gen 4.0 |
| TDP | 125W | 125W |
| Launch Price | $589 | $589 |
With two extra E-cores and double the E-core threads, the Core i9-13900K can juggle many more tasks at once. The enlarged L2 cache reduces latency while higher boost clocks accelerate single thread speed. Raptor Lake also unlocks speedier memory and storage.
Real-World Gaming Performance
For the majority of gamers, 1080p and 1440p performance matters most. And Raptor Lake sets a new high watermark.
Compared to the Core i9-12900K, these 1080p gaming framerates show the Core i9-13900K‘s sizable 24% average improvement:
| Game | 12900K Avg FPS | 13900K Avg FPS | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 106 | 131 | +24% |
| Hitman 3 | 152 | 193 | +27% |
| Far Cry 6 | 108 fps | 139 | +29% |
| Microsoft Flight Sim | 97 | 117 | +21% |
According to Intel, these extras frames come mostly thanks to Raptor Lake‘s faster clock speeds and the doubling of E-core threads.
Moreover, Intel claims the Core i9-13900K runs neck-and-neck with AMD‘s Ryzen 9 7950X in 1080p gaming. Early reviewer benchmarks validate these numbers. So as expected, Raptor Lake reinforces Intel‘s gaming dominance.
Content Creation Benchmarks
For creative professionals, Raptor Lake also posts huge gains over Alder Lake. Here‘s a sample of Puget Systems benchmarks showing the performance uptick:
| Workload | 12900K Score | 13900K Score | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photoshop | 971 | 1148 | 18% |
| Premiere Pro | 926 | 1053 | 14% |
| After Effects | 86 | 97 | 13% |
| DaVinci Resolve | 903 | 1044 | 16% |
The combination of added e-cores and greater efficiency pays dividends for multi-threaded tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and compiling code. In these cases, upwards of 30% boosts are plausible depending on the workload.
Compared to AMD‘s Ryzen 7000 chips trading blows in this space however, the margins are narrower. Still, Raptor Lake does enough to remain very competitive for creative applications.
Overclocking Headroom
A mainstay of Intel‘s "K" processors, overclocking headroom sees a healthy bump with Raptor Lake.
In particular, the Patriot Viper DDR5-6000 memory kit used by reviewers has achieved overclocked speeds between DDR5-8000 to DDR5-10000 on select Z790 motherboards. Considering maximum official speeds tap out at DDR5-5600, that‘s a massive real-world gain.
On the CPU side, overclockers have reportedly pushed the Core i9-13900K beyond 6 GHz across all P-cores. Tweaking voltages and the best 360mm AIO cooler is a must, but the feat is repeatable in the right hands.
Bottom line – through overclocking alone, it‘s possible to extract up to 10% greater performance from an already scintillating chip.
Power Efficiency
Surprisingly, Raptor Lake‘s added muscle doesn‘t come at the cost of efficiency. Yes, peak power draw has increased over Alder Lake. Although Intel has tuned the processors to sip power when not under full load.
For instance, AnandTech measured the Core i9-13900K drawing 224 watts during a full Render Workload stress test. Yet that power maxed out at just 69 watts while idle on the Windows desktop.
Likewise, the 65 watt Core i5-13600 draws no more than 55 watts under a heavy all-core load. Demonstrating admirable power scaling between models.
So while upgrading the CPU cooler and power supply are smart moves, Raptor Lake won‘t tank your energy bill as feared.
Motherboard Compatibility
A benefit over shifting to an all-new platform, Raptor Lake drops into existing LGA-1700 Alder Lake motherboards. Specifically, any 600-series or 700-series motherboard built for Alder Lake will run Raptor Lake without issue.
However, there are some critical caveats to motherboard compatibility:
- Z690/Z790 motherboards allow memory overclocking, while B660/B760 and H670/H770 chipsets do not.
- Z790 motherboards guarantee full DDR5-5600 support, PCIe 5.0 lanes for SSDs, and other Raptor Lake-optimized features.
- A BIOS update is required for full functionality on 600-series motherboards.
- Budget B-series and H-series Intel boards restrict power limits, hindering performance.
Therefore, pairing Raptor Lake with a new Z790 motherboard like the MSI MEG Z790 Ace or ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F WiFi 6E unlocks the CPU’s full potential.
Should You Upgrade to Raptor Lake?
For those building a new high-end gaming PC or workstation today, Raptor Lake is clearly a no-brainer. The performance increases over 12th-gen Alder Lake manifest as very real framerate and workflow gains. Not to mention PCIe 5.0 and fast DDR5 readiness for the future.
As for current Alder Lake owners, the upgrade equation isn‘t as definitive. At face value, the Core i9-13900K‘s 24% average FPS bump in games is highly compelling. Creative professionals stand to benefit too. Although your money could be better invested in a stronger GPU or monitor upgrade instead.
Alternatively, if you own an older 10th-gen or 11th-gen Intel CPU, Raptor Lake warrants stronger consideration. The architectural improvements mean upgrading to the 13th-gen chips delivers an exponentially bigger performance delta.
In closing, Raptor Lake‘s all-around speed and cutting-edge I/O refinements make Intel’s latest architectural design an elite choice for blazing-fast PCs. Harmonizing extreme multicore horsepower and impressive power efficiency, the 13th generation Core series has raised the bar yet again. Delivering tangible gains today while equipping your rig for tomorrow.
