Intel Core i7-13700K vs i9-12900K - Better for Gaming?

I've been doing some research on CPUs for my new gaming PC and I'm having trouble deciding between the Intel Core i7-13700K and the i9-12900K. Any suggestions on which one would be better for gaming?

In my opinion, both the i7-13700K and i9-12900K are great choices for gaming, but they do have some differences. The main factors to consider are single-core max turbo boost frequency and the number of cores. Both processors offer excellent performance, with only minor differences in their specifications.

@AmericanSquatch has a good point. It's also important to remember that most modern games don't benefit from having more than 6-8 cores. So, for gaming purposes, you might not need the i9-12900K if the i7-13700K meets your requirements. As for me, I recently read an article on TechReviewer comparing these two CPUs: Intel Core i7-13700K vs. Intel Core i9-12900K. It provides a detailed comparison of their specifications and performance. You should check it out!

Thanks for the information, @AmericanSquatch and @Mazekitty. The TechReviewer article you mentioned, @Mazekitty, looks really helpful. I'll definitely read that to get a better understanding of the differences between these two CPUs.

@tripledistilledwoman, what games do you play most often? Your gaming preferences might help narrow down your choice between the i7-13700K and i9-12900K. For instance, if you mostly play visually rich games that require good color accuracy, the LG monitor might be a better option for you.

I mostly play competitive FPS games like Apex Legends and Overwatch, along with some strategy games like Civilization VI.

Based on your preferences, both CPUs should serve you well for gaming. The higher refresh rate of the Samsung Odyssey G9 might make a difference in your fast-paced games, while the better color accuracy of the LG monitor would be beneficial for Civilization VI. It ultimately depends on what aspect you value most in your gaming experience.

@tripledistilledwoman, have you considered factors like overclocking support and DDR5 support? These can also influence performance. The i7-13700K supports DDR5 with a max stock speed of 5600 MHz, while the i9-12900K supports DDR5 with a max stock speed of 4800 MHz. This might not make a huge difference in gaming, but it's something to keep in mind.

That's interesting! I didn't realize there were differences in DDR5 support between these two CPUs. I'll definitely take that into account when making my decision. Thanks for the info, @Mazekitty.

Another factor you might want to consider is PCIe support. Both CPUs support PCIe 5.0, which allows for fast SSDs and graphics cards. However, your choice of GPU could also affect your overall gaming performance. Make sure to choose a CPU that's compatible with your desired GPU.

Good point, @AmericanSquatch. I'll keep PCIe support in mind as well. My plan is to use an RTX 3080 GPU, so compatibility shouldn't be an issue there.

It sounds like you've done a lot of research already, @tripledistilledwoman. Both the i7-13700K and i9-12900K are great choices for gaming, but ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences and priorities. Don't forget to factor in the price difference between the two as well. If one CPU offers slightly better performance at a higher price, you'll have to decide if that's worth it for you.

Thanks for all the input, everyone! I appreciate the advice. I think I'll continue researching and testing these CPUs to see which one works best for my specific setup and needs. The TechReviewer article is definitely going to be a valuable resource during this process.