Intel Core i7-14700K vs Intel Core i5-13600K
The Intel Core i7-14700K is the premium choice here, boasting a staggering 20 cores and an impressive max turbo clock of 5.6GHz. Meanwhile, the Intel Core i5-13600K offers a more budget-friendly experience with 14 cores and a max clock of 5.1GHz, making it a tempting option for gamers on a budget. In real-world testing, the i7-14700K delivers exceptional multi-core performance and gaming capabilities, thanks to its 8 Performance and 12 Efficient cores. However, it does come with higher power consumption, peaking at 253W, which is something to consider if you're looking for efficiency over raw power in your builds.
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Intel Core i7-14700K
Intel Core i5-13600K
Comparison: Intel Core i7-14700K vs Intel Core i5-13600K
Intel Core i7-14700K
Intel Core i5-13600K
| Criterion | Intel Core i7-14700K | Intel Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(10)Amazon | ★4.7(1,388)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Raptor Lake Refresh (14th Gen Intel Core) | Raptor Lake (13th Gen Intel Core i5) |
Socket Platform | Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700) | Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700) |
Cores Threads | 20 Cores (8P + 12E) / 28 Threads | 14 Cores (6P + 8E) / 20 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | P-Core: 3.4 / 5.5 GHz; E-Core: 2.5 / 4.3 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.6 GHz | P-Core: 3.5 / 5.1 GHz; E-Core: 2.6 / 3.9 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.1 GHz |
Cache L2 L3 | 28 MB L2 + 33 MB L3 (61 MB Total) | 20 MB L2 + 24 MB L3 (44 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 125 W (Processor Base Power) | 125 W (Processor Base Power) |
Max Turbo Power | 253 W (Maximum Turbo Power) | 181 W (Maximum Turbo Power) |
Process Node | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) |
Memory Support | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W680 chipset required) | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W680 chipset required) |
Memory Bandwidth Max | 89.6 GB/s (DDR5-5600) | 89.6 GB/s (DDR5-5600) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 5.0 (x16 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) | PCIe 5.0 (x16 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) |
Pcie Lanes | 20 Total (16 CPU PCIe 5.0 + 4 CPU PCIe 4.0) | 20 Total (16 CPU PCIe 5.0 + 4 CPU PCIe 4.0) |
Igpu | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 300 – 1600 MHz) | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 300 – 1500 MHz) |
Instruction Features | Intel 64, AVX2, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.1/4.2, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 | Intel 64, AVX2, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.1/4.2, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 |
Cooler Included | No (360mm Liquid cooler highly recommended) | No (Air cooler with 180W+ TDP rating or 240mm AIO recommended) |
Max Temp | 100°C (212°F) TjMax | 100°C (212°F) TjMax |
Notes Limits | Known for extremely high power draw and heat; often exceeds 253W limit on default motherboard settings. 4 extra E-cores vs i7-13700K. LGA1700 platform is end-of-life (no future upgrades). | Unlocked multiplier. Known as the 'value king' of 13th Gen for gaming. Performance is virtually identical to the 14600K (~2-5% difference). LGA1700 platform is end-of-life. |
Chipset Support | Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required) | Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required) |
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Intel Core i7-14700K
✓ Pros:
- • Significant multi-core performance boost over 13700K (4 extra E-cores)
- • Excellent gaming performance, rivaling top-tier flagships
- • Versatile memory support (DDR4 for budget, DDR5 for performance)
✗ Cons:
- • Very high power consumption and thermal output
- • Requires a high-end cooling solution (360mm AIO recommended)
- • Dead-end platform (LGA1700) with no upgrade path to Core Ultra
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Intel Core i5-13600K
✓ Pros:
- • Outstanding gaming and productivity performance for the price
- • Flexible memory support allows for budget builds with DDR4
- • Cheaper alternative to the 14600K with negligible performance loss
✗ Cons:
- • High power draw (up to 181W) compared to Ryzen 5 competitors
- • No stock cooler included; demands decent aftermarket cooling
- • LGA1700 platform has no future CPU upgrade path
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Which one is better?
The Intel Core i7-14700K is the better buy for most people - its 20 cores and max turbo of 5.6GHz crush the Intel Core i5-13600K. That said, grab the i5-13600K if you're looking to save money and still get excellent gaming performance - it's significantly more affordable.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Intel Core i7-14700K if: you need top-tier gaming performance, plan to run demanding applications, or want to future-proof your system with more cores.
Choose the Intel Core i5-13600K if: you want solid gaming performance without breaking the bank, are building a budget-friendly rig, or prefer flexibility with DDR4 memory.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Intel Core i7-14700K excels if you value significant multi-core performance boost over 13700k (4 extra e-cores). Intel Core i5-13600K is better if you prioritize outstanding gaming and productivity performance for the price. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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