Is the Core i9 13900KS good for gaming

Is the 13900KS good for gaming?

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The i9-13900KS is Intel’s latest and greatest. It’s currently the fastest desktop processor in the world, as claimed by Intel itself. But is the core i9 13900KS good for gaming?

Now Read: Is the 13900KS overkill for gaming?

It’s made with Intel’s finest binned silicon and boasts a record stock clock speed of 6GHz, owing to Intel’s Thermal Velocity Boost. 

If you’re a gamer, you probably already know that single-thread performance is one of the more important influencers of how well a CPU can run games. Let’s discuss what this means for the 13900KS’s performance in gaming. 

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Intel Core i9-13900KS Specifications

First, here are the processor’s base specs for you to get a better idea of what we’re working with:

• Core Count: 24
• Performance Cores: 8 (Hyperthreading Enabled)
• Efficiency Cores: 16
• Total Threads: 32
• Cache: 68 MB
• P.Core Base Clock: 3.2GHz
• P.Core Boost Clock: 5.4GHz
• P.Core Max Clock with Thermal Velocity Boost: 6GHz
• E.Core Base Clock: 2.4GHz
• E.Core Boost Clock: 4.3GHz
• Base TDP: 150 Watts
• Max TDP: 320 Watts (with Intel’s Extreme Power Delivery Profile)
• Socket: LGA 1700

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Is the Core i9 13900KS a good CPU for gaming?

In terms of raw performance, the 13900KS is currently the best consumer-grade gaming processor money can buy. It will be able to support the 4090 and the 7900xtx with ease, so it’s the perfect option for those who want to go all out. 

A 6GHz boost clock

A 6GHz boost clock is the first time we’ve seen any CPU reach this speed at stock values – an impressive achievement indeed.

 This breakthrough in clock speeds is more important for gamers than anyone else since gaming is an activity that can’t utilize multiple threads very efficiently.

Games run primarily on a few cores, so having those cores reach speeds as high as 6GHz makes a considerable difference in FPS. 

Multitasking potential

As a gamer, multicore performance isn’t majorly important because, again, games don’t utilize all the available threads. Still, it’s certainly a nice-to-have, especially considering the CPU’s $699 price point. 

You’ll be able to run additional applications and carry out productivity work in the background while you game without a care in the world. The i9-13900KS is a top CPU for gamers who stream or create content on the side. 

Thermals

The 13900KS is not only the current fastest but also the most power-hungry CPU out there. At an astounding 320-watt TDP, this processor consumes more energy than many of the top GPUs.

You’ll need a capable liquid cooler to prevent the processor from cooking itself inside out. 

You’ll need an even stronger cooling solution to keep the CPU’s cores below 70C, above which temperature Intel’s Thermal Velocity Boost won’t kick in, and you won’t see 6GHz clocks. 

That’s something to consider before making an upgrade. 

Pricing and Value

The i9-13900KS retails at a $699 price point. Of course, flagships aren’t built to offer price-to-performance, strictly speaking. They’re built to go the distance.

The 13900KS offers you fair value when you consider its industry-leading performance. However, if you’re on a budget, you’ll likely find Raptor Lake’s impressive i5 lineup more to your liking. 

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Final thoughts

Overall, the 13900KS is an excellent processor for gamers who are willing to pay a premium to get industry-leading performance. It pairs well with flagship GPUs to create a system capable of running games at record framerates. It does run hot, though, so you will need a high-end liquid cooler for it.