Intel Core i9-13900K and i5-13600K Review: Raptor Lake Brings More Bite
by Gavin Bonshor on October 20, 2022 9:00 AM ESTZ790 Chipset: More I/O Than Z690, But Same Performance
One of the main talking points surrounding all processor launches at present is platform affordability. When Intel launched its 12th Gen Alder Lake core series processors towards the tail end of 2021, it enabled users to utilize the higher bandwidth DDR5 memory in a desktop platform. As DDR5 memory supply was low and consumer demand was high during Alder Lake’s initial launch, this sky rocketed prices and it made it near impossible for users to buy a DDR5 kit to use with 12th Gen. Intel did offer support for both DDR5-4800 and DDR4-3200, but motherboards (600-series) could only support one or the other.
Although this hasn’t changed with Intel’s latest Z790 chipset, Intel does offer support for both DDR5 and DDR4 with its 13th Gen Raptor Lake Core processors; something AMD doesn’t do with Ryzen 7000 series, much to consumer’s angst. Even though Intel has opted for a higher DDR5 memory speed (5600 MT/s versus 4800 MT/s) compared to Alder Lake, DDR4 memory support remains at DDR4-3200.
| Intel Z690, Z590, and Z490 Chipset Comparison | ||||
| Feature | Z790 | Z690 | Z590 | Z490 |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1700 | LGA1200 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Lanes (CPU) | 16 x 5.0 4 x 4.0 |
16 x 5.0 4 x 4.0 |
20 x 4.0 | 16 x 3.0 |
| PCIe Lanes (Chipset) | 20 x 4.0 8 x 3.0 |
12 x 4.0 16 x 3.0 |
24 x 3.0 | 24 x 3.0 |
| PCIe Specification (CPU) | 5.0/4.0 | 5.0/4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Memory Support | DDR5-5600B DDR4-3200 |
DDR5-4800B DDR4-3200 |
DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2933 |
| PCIe Config | x16 x8/x8 x8/x8/x4 |
x16 x8/x8 x8/x8/x4 |
x16 x8/x8 x8/x8/x4 |
x16 x8/x8 x8/x8+x4 |
| DMI Lanes | x8 4.0 | x8 4.0 | x8 3.0 | x4 3.0 |
| Max USB 3.2 (Gen2/Gen1) | 10/10 | 10/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) | Y (5) | Y (4) | Y (4) | ASMedia |
| Total USB | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Max SATA Ports | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Memory Channels (Dual) | 2/2 | 2/2 | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| Intel Optane Memory Support | N | Y | Y | Y |
| Intel Rapid Storage Tech (RST) | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Integrated Wi-Fi MAC | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Intel Smart Sound | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Overclocking Support | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Intel vPro | N | N | N | N |
| ME Firmware | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
| TDP (W) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Looking at the Intel chipset comparison table above, one could really question what’s actually different about Z790 when compared directly to Z690, especially given that Z690 does allow full support for 13th Gen processors; yes, there is no hidden secret sauce or performance unlocking features, Z690 and Z790 will perform the same in compute and gaming.
The key differences are that Z790 offers an additional 8 x PCIe 4.0 lanes from the chipset, but at the cost of 8 x PCIe 3.0 lanes. This means Z790 still offers a total of 28 x PCI lanes when compared to Z690, but it gives vendors further flexibility to utilize the extra PCIe 4.0 lanes for high bandwidth M.2 slots and additional Thunderbolt 4 controllers, while still offering a few PCIe 3.0 lanes for devices such as additional NICs, streaming cards, and other non-bandwidth critical devices.
Intel says Goodbye to Optane Memory (Cache), No Support on Z790
One thing to note with Z790 is that along with Intel’s decision to kill its Optane business; this chipset will NOT support Intel's Optane Memory, Intel's Optane-based drive caching solution. Using Z690 combined with 12th Gen should still yield the same level of support as before, but using Z790 will not allow Optane Memory to be used, which is understandable as Intel winds down its Optane and 3DXpoint storage division.
The main benefit for opting for Z790 over Z690 is essentially down to PCIe 4.0 I/O capabilities, with support for one more additional USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C port compared to Z690. Having spoken to Intel directly about processor performance with either chipset, they made it clear that they do not expect compute or gaming performance to be any different regardless of whether you’re using the new Z790 or the existing Z690 chipset.
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WannaBeOCer - Friday, October 21, 2022 - link
Did you even read the article? Intel advertises the 13900k as a 253w chip. It drew 32% more than it advertised while AMD advertises its 7950x as a 170w and it drew 30% more than they advertised.“Processor Base Power
125 W
Maximum Turbo Power
253 W” Reply
Wrs - Friday, October 21, 2022 - link
You're comparing the PL2 of one chip with the TDP of the other. Also, the article mentioned the motherboard may have something to do with ignoring the PL2 on the 13900k.If the chip can't dissipate PL2, it'll incrementally step down to TDP gracefully. It's like you're complaining your 130mph sedan went 165mph on the race track... Reply
Gastec - Sunday, October 23, 2022 - link
Oh, so the motherboards are the culprits for overclocking the CPU's to new height of financial success, not Intel? ReplyWhatYaWant - Thursday, October 20, 2022 - link
7600x seems a bit overpriced, doesn’t it? Replyingwe - Thursday, October 20, 2022 - link
Yeah it does. $250 seems like a better price--maybe even a bit lower. It will probably come down. I just picked up a 5600 for $125 though so I am set. I suspect that the price will only come down on the 7600x once the stock of 5 series is cleared out. Replymeacupla - Thursday, October 20, 2022 - link
I am happy that Raptor Lake offers stiff competition to Zen 4. Hopefully AMD brings down the price of 7600X, and hurry up and launch their B650 boards Replycaqde - Thursday, October 20, 2022 - link
?? B650 is released? At least on Newegg and amazon you can purchase a selection of B650 motherboards today. Out of the 23 boards listed, 1 is out of stock and 5 are preoders for the 21st or 27th. So that leaves 17 boards that you can purchase today that are in stock, the in stock boards go from 170-350 (Asrock 650M PG Riptide and Gigabyte B650E Aorus Master respectively). But yeah AMD should and from what I have heard can lower Zen 4 prices to compete with Intel's prices. Replyhaukionkannel - Thursday, October 20, 2022 - link
When AMD release 3d cache versions, it will reduce the prices of normal versions.How much, is interesting question. I expect that AMD also will release 7600 to compete with intel in price, so 7600x may not come down a lot. Reply
meacupla - Thursday, October 20, 2022 - link
Oh, B650 is out already? I saw no news coverage of them, so I thought they were still waiting to be released. Replytechguymaxc - Thursday, October 20, 2022 - link
You list Handbrake under legacy tests however, either the graphs or mislabeled or the tests are not included. Did you test these CPUs with Handbrake? If so, please post the results. If not, please consider testing and updating the article. This is the only workload that matters to me, and the number one reason I come to Anandtech for CPU reviews/benchmarks. Reply