Intel Core i9-13900K ES tested
Luckily for us, Intel has a problem with early reviews of their engineering samples. We have already seen very comprehensive tests from other Chinese sources, but some were already removed on Intel request. Hopefully, the same fate will not meet the latest videos from another Bilibili/YouTube hardware test channel, “EJ Hardware”.
Intel Core i9-13900K (ES), Source: EJ Hardware
Their latest video focuses on Core i9-13900K CPU, supposedly an engineering sample. The markings and SPEC codes are all hidden, so we do not know how fresh this sample is (ES1, ES2 or QS). However, given how close we are to the launch, one might assume it is either ES2 or QS.
The CPU was tested on MSI Z690 GODLIKE motherboards and compared with Core i9-12900K CPU. The system was equipped with Colorful Gamer RGB DDR5-4800 and GeForce RTX 3090 GPU. EJ used Phanteks Glacier One 360 MP solution featuring Asetek AIO cooler. Their mini-review is focusing on comparison between 16-core i9-12900K Alder Lake and 24-core i9-13900K Raptor Lake CPUs.
In AIDA64 test at locked 4.9 GHz frequency for Performance cores, the i9-13900K is much cooler than i9-12900K. With a TDP reaching 280W and temperature of 86°C on average, Alder Lake needs 100W more power and runs at much higher temperature than Raptor Lake (61°C). One should note that their i9-12900K sample appears to be a one with AVX512 introduction still enabled, which may explain why AIDA64 is taking advantage of those functions.
However, once both samples are overclocked to 5.2 GHz, Alder Lake CPU is still requiring more power, but the difference is not as significant as before (~269W vs ~259W) while the temperature of the Raptor Lake is 10°C lower (86 vs 76°C).
Intel Core i9-13900K (ES) vs 12900K in AIDA64 (4.9 GHz & 5.2 GHz), Source: EJ Hardware
In Prime95, Raptor Lake running all cores at 5.2 GHz saturates at 378W and 92°C. Judging from the video, this appears to be the Maximum Turbo Boost limit set to 440W.
Intel Core i9-13900K (ES) in Prime95, Source: EJ Hardware
The sample was then tested in most popular CPU test: CPU-Z and Cinebench. Intel 13th Gen CPU is a clear winner here in all tests. The performance appears to match what was already shared.
Intel Core i9-13900K (ES) in Cinebench/CPU-Z, Source: EJ Hardware
Intel Core i9-13900K (ES) in Cinebench/CPU-Z, Source: EJ Hardware
This sample is clearly not optimized for gaming, though. The performance is all over the price for some titles tested at 1080p resolution. In some cases, Raptor Lake is indeed faster, but there are instances where it is totally opposite. In fact, even with the Performance unlocked to 5.5 GHz, the CPU ends up slower than 5.2 GHz.
Intel Core i9-13900K (ES) in 1080p gaming, Source: EJ Hardware
Intel 13th Gen Core series are now set to launch on October 20th. The company is now preparing the official introduction of the new series during its Innovation even later this month. At least 6 new 125W K-series CPUs are to be released (including KF) variants, although the specs of some 65W were leaked just yesterday.
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