Intel Core i9-13900KS

Desktop CPUIntel

Also called intel core i9-13900ks, core i9-13900ks, i9-13900ks, core-i9-13900ks

IntelDesktop CPURaptor Lake

Intel Core i9 desktop processor on Raptor Lake, with 24 cores and 32 threads and 32768 KB L2, 36 MB L3 at 150 W TDP on a Intel 7 process addressing up to 192 GB and Intel UHD Graphics 770.

What you need to know

Still a capable Core i9 desktop chip.

Intel Core i9-13900KS launched in January 1, 2023., It has 24 cores and 32 threads on Raptor Lake, dropping into the FCLGA1700 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up.

Still good?: Yes, for most work this class is sold for
Product age: 3 years old
Upgrade pressure: Low to moderate

Feex says

Old is not the same as bad. If the GPU is the bottleneck, swapping this CPU is one of the more expensive ways to learn that lesson.

What this hardware means today

Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.

Performance today: Excellent. Excellent for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
Product age 3 years old: Previous generation. Launched January 1, 2023. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
Support status: Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
Upgrade pressure: Low to moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.

Where does it sit?

Raptor Lake sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.

11th Gen

12th Gen

13th Gen

14th Gen

Core Ultra

Performance context

These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.

Gaming: Very Good

Plenty for current games when the GPU is the limit, which it often is.

Productivity: Excellent

24 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.

Multithreaded workloads: Very Good

32 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.

General use: Excellent

Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.

Efficiency: Average

Rated 150 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.

Should you upgrade?

Probably not based on CPU performance alone.

Upgrade makes more sense if

Your workload is strongly CPU limited
You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
You need substantially more multicore performance
You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer

Upgrade makes less sense if

The GPU is the real bottleneck
Current applications are already responsive
The CPU rarely limits your workload

Specifications

Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.

Processor

Intel Core i9-13900KS is built on Raptor Lake using a Intel 7 process.

Intel Core i9-13900KS specifications: Processor
Manufacturer	Intel
Family	Core i9
Architecture	Raptor Lake
Generation	13th Generation Intel Core i9 Processors
Manufacturing process	Intel 7
Segment	Desktop

Cores and threads

Intel Core i9-13900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads.

Intel Core i9-13900KS specifications: Cores and threads
Cores	24 (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores)
P-cores	8
E-cores	16
Threads	32
Hybrid architecture	Yes

Clock speeds

Base clock is 3.2 GHz. Boost reaches 6.0 GHz.

Intel Core i9-13900KS specifications: Clock speeds
Base frequency	3.2 GHz
Max boost	6.0 GHz

Cache

Cache on this sheet is 36 MB L3.

Intel Core i9-13900KS specifications: Cache
L2 cache	32768 KB
L3 cache	36 MB
Total cache	68 MB

Memory

Intel Core i9-13900KS addresses 192 GB across 2 memory channels.

Intel Core i9-13900KS specifications: Memory
Supported types	DDR5, DDR4
Max capacity	192 GB
Channels	2
Max bandwidth	89.6 GB/s
ECC support	Yes

Package and power

Intel Core i9-13900KS uses the FCLGA1700 socket and a 150 W TDP.

Intel Core i9-13900KS specifications: Package and power
Socket	FCLGA1700
TDP	150 W
PCIe	Revision 5.0, 20 lanes

Integrated graphics

Intel Core i9-13900KS includes Intel UHD Graphics 770.

Intel Core i9-13900KS specifications: Integrated graphics
Integrated graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 770

Market

Intel Core i9-13900KS launched January 1, 2023 at USD 689 (suggested price at launch).

Intel Core i9-13900KS specifications: Market
Launch date	January 1, 2023
Launch MSRP	USD 689 (suggested price at launch)
Model	i9-13900KS

Features

Intel Core i9-13900KS records 42 instruction sets on this sheet.

Intel Core i9-13900KS specifications: Features
Instruction sets	AES-NIAVX2AVXAVX-VNNICETCET-IBTCET-SSFMAHyper-ThreadingSHAVAES64-bit (x86-64)BMI1BMI2CLMULF16CGFNIPCLMULQDQRDRANDRDSEEDSSE4.1SSE4.2x86-64-v3ABMADXCMPXCHG16BEnhanced SpeedStepFast Short Rep MOVSFXSRInvariant TSCLZCNTPOPCNTRDTSCPSSESSE2SSE3SSSE3x86-64-v2XSAVEXSAVEOPTMMXMOVBE
Security	AES-NIControl-flow Enforcement (CET)Execute Disable (NX)Boot GuardHardware RNGOS GuardOS Guard (SMAP)Mode-Based Execute Control
Virtualization	Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization)
AI acceleration	Deep Learning BoostGaussian Neural Accelerator
OS capabilities	Docker / Hyper-V readyLinux KVM readyWindows 11 eligibleAndroid emulator readyWSL2 ready

Independent scores

These are PassMark CPU figures. They are not Feex measurements.

Intel Core i9-13900KS specifications: Independent scores
Single-core score	4,716
Multi-core score	60,498
Overall score	16,891
Productivity score	45,926
Creator score	41,763
Engineering score	77,135
Gaming score	29,273
Performance per watt	403.3

Compatibility

Compatibility
Socket	FCLGA1700
Board	A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision.
Memory	DDR5, DDR4, up to 192 GB
Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 770

A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.

Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.

Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.

No post after a CPU swap

Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.

Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.
PassMark Software · CPU benchmark page for Intel Core i9-13900KS

Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.