Intel Core i9-13900K and i5-13600K Review: Raptor Lake Brings More Bite
by Gavin Bonshor on October 20, 2022 9:00 AM ESTZ790 Chipset: More I/O Than Z690, But Same Performance
One of the main talking points surrounding all processor launches at present is platform affordability. When Intel launched its 12th Gen Alder Lake core series processors towards the tail end of 2021, it enabled users to utilize the higher bandwidth DDR5 memory in a desktop platform. As DDR5 memory supply was low and consumer demand was high during Alder Lake’s initial launch, this sky rocketed prices and it made it near impossible for users to buy a DDR5 kit to use with 12th Gen. Intel did offer support for both DDR5-4800 and DDR4-3200, but motherboards (600-series) could only support one or the other.
Although this hasn’t changed with Intel’s latest Z790 chipset, Intel does offer support for both DDR5 and DDR4 with its 13th Gen Raptor Lake Core processors; something AMD doesn’t do with Ryzen 7000 series, much to consumer’s angst. Even though Intel has opted for a higher DDR5 memory speed (5600 MT/s versus 4800 MT/s) compared to Alder Lake, DDR4 memory support remains at DDR4-3200.
Intel Z690, Z590, and Z490 Chipset Comparison | ||||
Feature | Z790 | Z690 | Z590 | Z490 |
Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1700 | LGA1200 | LGA1200 |
PCIe Lanes (CPU) | 16 x 5.0 4 x 4.0 |
16 x 5.0 4 x 4.0 |
20 x 4.0 | 16 x 3.0 |
PCIe Lanes (Chipset) | 20 x 4.0 8 x 3.0 |
12 x 4.0 16 x 3.0 |
24 x 3.0 | 24 x 3.0 |
PCIe Specification (CPU) | 5.0/4.0 | 5.0/4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
Memory Support | DDR5-5600B DDR4-3200 |
DDR5-4800B DDR4-3200 |
DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2933 |
PCIe Config | x16 x8/x8 x8/x8/x4 |
x16 x8/x8 x8/x8/x4 |
x16 x8/x8 x8/x8/x4 |
x16 x8/x8 x8/x8+x4 |
DMI Lanes | x8 4.0 | x8 4.0 | x8 3.0 | x4 3.0 |
Max USB 3.2 (Gen2/Gen1) | 10/10 | 10/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 |
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) | Y (5) | Y (4) | Y (4) | ASMedia |
Total USB | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Max SATA Ports | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
Memory Channels (Dual) | 2/2 | 2/2 | 2/2 | 2/2 |
Intel Optane Memory Support | N | Y | Y | Y |
Intel Rapid Storage Tech (RST) | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Integrated Wi-Fi MAC | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
Intel Smart Sound | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Overclocking Support | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Intel vPro | N | N | N | N |
ME Firmware | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
TDP (W) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Looking at the Intel chipset comparison table above, one could really question what’s actually different about Z790 when compared directly to Z690, especially given that Z690 does allow full support for 13th Gen processors; yes, there is no hidden secret sauce or performance unlocking features, Z690 and Z790 will perform the same in compute and gaming.
The key differences are that Z790 offers an additional 8 x PCIe 4.0 lanes from the chipset, but at the cost of 8 x PCIe 3.0 lanes. This means Z790 still offers a total of 28 x PCI lanes when compared to Z690, but it gives vendors further flexibility to utilize the extra PCIe 4.0 lanes for high bandwidth M.2 slots and additional Thunderbolt 4 controllers, while still offering a few PCIe 3.0 lanes for devices such as additional NICs, streaming cards, and other non-bandwidth critical devices.
Intel says Goodbye to Optane Memory (Cache), No Support on Z790
One thing to note with Z790 is that along with Intel’s decision to kill its Optane business; this chipset will NOT support Intel's Optane Memory, Intel's Optane-based drive caching solution. Using Z690 combined with 12th Gen should still yield the same level of support as before, but using Z790 will not allow Optane Memory to be used, which is understandable as Intel winds down its Optane and 3DXpoint storage division.
The main benefit for opting for Z790 over Z690 is essentially down to PCIe 4.0 I/O capabilities, with support for one more additional USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C port compared to Z690. Having spoken to Intel directly about processor performance with either chipset, they made it clear that they do not expect compute or gaming performance to be any different regardless of whether you’re using the new Z790 or the existing Z690 chipset.
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blppt - Monday, October 24, 2022 - link
Wow, what is going on with Civ 5 and Intel 12/13 series CPUs? They get absolutely wrecked. Replyshoestring - Tuesday, October 25, 2022 - link
"...eeking out every last bit of performance" +1 for word choice, -1 for the spelling: it's actually "eking", which looks weird to me too! https://www.dictionary.com/browse/eke ReplyRyan Smith - Tuesday, October 25, 2022 - link
You are correct. The article has been fixed.I humbly accept my deduction in points. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Reply
OreoCookie - Tuesday, October 25, 2022 - link
I am surprised Gavin did not include the cooler and perhaps beefier power supply in the price comparison: clearly, if you get an Intel system, you need a *much* bigger cooler, especially if you care about noise. And you might need a bigger power supply, especially if you plan on getting an nVidia 4000-series card. Replynader_21007 - Wednesday, November 2, 2022 - link
THX for the review.It should be mentioned that INTEL's 13900K is nowhere near the MSRP of $589, I expect the writer to check the real prices, it's price is $795, about $100 more than AMD's ryzen 7950X.
AMD CPU's are cheaper. it's FACT. Reply
SanX - Wednesday, November 9, 2022 - link
I do not need your bs E cores in desktop, Intel ReplySantoval - Tuesday, November 22, 2022 - link
I wonder if the 5.8 GHz turbo is going to last more than 1 nanosecond at a time. ReplyVVTF - Tuesday, October 17, 2023 - link
The sad thing is, I find this Alder Lake-N review for Nuc Boxes on Anadtech much more interesting:https://www.anandtech.com/show/21085/asrock-indust... Reply