Is Intel Core i9 faster than Core i7?

Is Intel Core i9 faster than Core i7? Let's find out

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The Core i9 and i7 lineups consist of high-end CPUs from Intel. Between the two of these, it’s the i9 CPUs that usually offer better performance, and of course, they also cost more. But Is Intel Core i9 faster than Core i7?

Now Read: Best CPU for gaming 2023

Today, we’re giving you an in-depth answer.

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What is Intel i9?

Intel’s Core i9 series features the company’s best processors, including their yearly flagships. Some examples of i9 CPUs are the 11900K, the 12900KS, and the most recent 13900KS. 

The 13900KS is currently the fastest desktop processor in the world, with a record 6GHz boost clock speed thanks to Intel’s Thermal Velocity Boost technology. 

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What is Intel i7?

Intel Core i7 processors are high-end units catered to fulfill the demands of an enthusiast market that doesn’t deem it necessary to shell out on an expensive flagship processor for gaming.

They’re inferior to Core i9 processors in terms of performance, but this difference has been shrinking lately. The latest Core i7-13700K is a very competent processor, and it offers performance similar to the 12th generation flagship, the Core i9-12900KS. 

Let’s see how it holds up against the 13th-generation i9s. 

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Is Intel Core i9 faster than Core i7? 

Generally speaking, yes. 

Intel Core i9 processors are faster than Core i7 processors of the same generation. The i9-12900KS, for example, was a faster and more powerful processor than the i7-12700K. 

The i9-13900KS is a stronger processor than the i7-13700K this time around as well. 

But that’s about what you would expect from the i9s, given that they are more expensive than i7 CPUs. 

Clock speed

A CPUs clock speed represents the frequency with which it’s able to fetch and execute instructions. The higher, the better. A CPU core running at a clock speed of 5GHz would be executing 5 billion instructions per second, for example. 

Core i9 CPUs have a solid edge in this category. The 13700K has a max boost clock of 5.4GHz. For the standard 13900, this value is 5.6GHz, whereas, for the 13900K, the boost clock is 5.8GHz. 

If there were to be a single metric you could use to determine how “fast” a processor is, it would be this one.

Core count

A processor’s multicore performance is determined largely by its core and thread count. 13th gen Core i9s have 32 threads compared to the 13700K’s 24. Tasks that can be broken down into smaller subtasks will be completed faster on the i9-equipped PCs. 

The 13700K has phenomenal multicore performance. Unfortunately, it’s simply not enough when going up against flagship-grade processors. 

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Intel i9 vs. Intel i7: Final word

To give you a final verdict, the Intel i9 is indeed faster than the i7, both in single-core and multicore heavy workloads. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the i9 processors are a better buy overall. 

The 13700K retails at a much lower price point than the i9 processors, and considering its performance, it offers you better value for your money. Core i9 CPUs are overkill for many applications anyway, including gaming. If you’re looking to enjoy a high-end gaming experience, you can do that just fine on the 13700K.