Core i7-14700K vs Core i7-13700K: Gaming Performance & Bottleneck (2026)

With an RTX 5090 taking the graphics card out of the equation, the Core i7-14700K averages 158 FPS at 1080p High to the Core i7-13700K's 150, 5% more. The gap holds at 1440p (5%) because even there the CPU, not the RTX 5090, sets the frame rate. In esports games like CS2 it's 411 vs 390 FPS, and in CPU-heavy titles such as Microsoft Flight Simulator 87 vs 82 FPS at 1440p. 1% lows, which decide how smooth a game feels, come in at 110 vs 105 FPS. With a more typical RTX 5070 at 1440p they land at 101 and 101 FPS, effectively the same. Both use LGA1700, so moving from one to the other is a drop-in swap. The Core i7-14700K has more threads (28 vs 24), which helps streaming and productivity more than gaming. Both keep up with GPUs up to the RTX 4090 at 1440p.

Relative performance

Faster CPU = 100%. Average FPS at High settings with an RTX 5090.

AAA games, 1080p

Core i7-14700K100%
Core i7-13700K95%

158 vs 150 FPS · Core i7-14700K +5%

Esports, 1080p

Core i7-14700K100%
Core i7-13700K95%

411 vs 390 FPS · Core i7-14700K +5%

CPU-heavy games, 1440p

Core i7-14700K100%
Core i7-13700K95%

87 vs 82 FPS · Core i7-14700K +5%

FPS with an RTX 5090

Average FPS, no upscaling. The fastest GPU, so the processor sets the pace.

SettingCore i7-14700KCore i7-13700KLead
1080p High, AAA158150i7-14700K +5%
1440p High, AAA155148i7-14700K +5%
1080p esports411390i7-14700K +5%
1440p CPU-heavy8782i7-14700K +5%

Specifications

Gaming index: Ryzen 7 9800X3D = 100.

SpecCore i7-14700KCore i7-13700K
Cores / threads20 / 2816 / 24
SocketLGA1700LGA1700
Released20232022
3D V-CacheNoNo
Gaming index7975

Which GPUs can it drive?

Strongest common GPU each CPU keeps under a 10% CPU bottleneck at 1440p High.

ProcessorStrongest GPUFPS
Core i7-14700KRTX 4090146
Core i7-13700KRTX 4090142

Which should you buy?

Buy the Core i7-14700K if you want the faster gaming CPU: it's 5% ahead at 1080p with a high-end card. The Core i7-13700K makes sense if it costs at least 5% less, or if you pair it with a mid-range GPU that hides the difference. Already own the Core i7-13700K? Going to the Core i7-14700K gains 5% at 1080p, which is too small to justify replacing it. It drops into the same motherboard.

Buy the Core i7-14700K if…

  • you play at high refresh rates: 5% more FPS at 1080p with a fast GPU.
  • you care about smoothness: 1% lows of 110 vs 105 FPS at 1080p.
  • you play strategy, sims or MMOs: 87 vs 82 FPS in CPU-heavy games.
  • you also stream, edit video or compile code: 20 cores / 28 threads vs 16 / 24.

Buy the Core i7-13700K if…

  • it costs at least 5% less, or you game at 1440p and above where the gap shrinks.
  • you pair it with a mid-range card: with an RTX 5070 at 1440p the two are level.

Check your build

These numbers use an RTX 5090 to isolate the processor. Your own graphics card, resolution and settings change the result, so run your exact parts through the calculator.

Popular builds with these CPUs

Core i7-14700K vs Core i7-13700K: quick answers

Is the Core i7-14700K better than the Core i7-13700K for gaming?

Yes. The Core i7-14700K is about 5% faster at 1080p with an RTX 5090 and 5% faster at 1440p. The gap is smaller with a mid-range graphics card, which becomes the limit first.

How many FPS do the Core i7-14700K and Core i7-13700K get?

Paired with an RTX 5090 at High settings, the Core i7-14700K averages about 158 FPS at 1080p and 155 at 1440p in AAA games, and 411 FPS in esports titles. The Core i7-13700K averages 150, 148 and 390 FPS.

Which graphics card should I pair with the Core i7-14700K or Core i7-13700K?

For a CPU bottleneck under 10% at 1440p, the Core i7-14700K keeps up with cards up to the RTX 4090 and the Core i7-13700K keeps up with cards up to the RTX 4090. Any slower card is a safe match. At 4K both CPUs can drive faster GPUs, and at 1080p they need slower ones.