Intel Core i9-13900 benchmark of engineering sample

Intels 13th generation of the Intel Core i series (Raptor Lake) is about to be released and a lot of information is already known from the official side. This information includes e.g. the number of CPU cores, the expected increase in performance and the manufacturing technology of the new CPUs.

This information has now been expanded by the manufacturer SiSoftware (known from the hardware test software SiSoftware Sandra) to include benchmark results for the new Intel Core i9-13900. The software manufacturer even created its own blog entry for this purpose, which it has already removed (most likely due to pressure from Intel). However, we had already saved the screenshots of the benchmark results of the supposed Intel Core i9-13900 and can now publish them here.

The manufacturing technology remains the same for the new Intel Core i processors, but is said to have been slightly optimized. Intel names it Intel 7+ process. Intel 7 was initially presented as a 10 nm process last year, but was then renamed Intel 7 due to the comparability with TSMCs 7 nm production. TSMC is Intels biggest competitor in the production of modern chips and manufactures e.g. the current Apple or AMD processors.

Raptor Lake core count is increasing

At least for the flagships of the new Intel Core i series, Intel in in his press release himself called an increase in CPU cores. Improvements in the Intel manufacturing technology "Intel 7" are said to have increased the overclocking potential. This could also indicate slightly increased clock rates even in series production.

"Shipping in the second half of 2022, Raptor Lake will boast up to double-digit performance increases compared to Alder Lake and come with improved overclocking capabilities. Raptor Lake features up to 24 cores and 32 threads and is based on the Intel 7 manufacturing process with a high-performance hybrid architecture. Raptor Lake will be socket-compatible with Alder Lake systems."

Source: Intel press release

Specifications: Intel Core i9-13900 vs Intel Core i9-12900

	Intel Core i9-13900	Intel Core i9-12900
CPU
CPU cores / threads	24T 32T	16C 24T
P-cores	8	8
E-cores	16	8
Base clock	2.0 - 2.5 GHz *	1.8 - 2.4 GHz
SC Turbo	5.2GHz *	5.1GHz
Memory
Max. Memory amount	128 GB	128 GB
Memory	DDR5-5600	DDR5-4800
Memory bandwidth	89.6 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
Further data
Level 2 Cache	32MB	14MB
Level 3 Cache	36 MB	30 MB
Socket	LGA 1700	LGA 1700
Manufacturing process	10 nm (Intel 7+)	10 nm (Intel 7)

* estimated values

Intel Core i9-13900 benchmark results

The benchmark runs in SiSoftware Sandra are sometimes very special and vary. A real performance assessment based on the results is almost impossible, mainly because a so-called "Engineering Sample" from the Intel Core i9-13900 was used.

Clock speeds, as well as minor changes to cache timings, etc. can greatly alter the final result. However, since the e-cores have increased from 8 to 16, a performance plus of at least 10 percent (rather 15 percent) can be assumed for the top model. The increase in performance should be in double digits, especially in the multi-core area. When only one core is loaded, 5 to 8 percent more performance can be expected.

Significantly more cache

It is pretty certain that the Intel Core i9-13900 should now have 36 MB level 3 cache. That's 6 MB more than the Intel Core i9-12900. The level 2 cache of the E cores should be doubled by the increased number of cores from 8 to 16. Overall, the new top model is supported by 32 MB level 2 cache.

Intels AVX-512 still not supported

Like the previous generation (Alder Lake), the new 13th generation processors do not support AVX-512. That's because the processor uses a hybrid structure which consists of two different core architectures. While the larger P cores would theoretically support AVX-512, the small E cores that come from Intel's Atom processors cannot.

Intel had caused some confusion at Alder Lake, since AVX-512 was activated at the start of the release. Intel later reversed this with a firmware update and completely deactivated it. However, AVX-512 is insignificant for most home users.

A major increase in performance can be expected 2023 with Meteor Lake

It is also interesting that Intel has so far presented the new processors in the form of the 13th generation of the Intel Core i series surprisingly meekly. Intel's main focus is apparently already on the 14th generation (Meteor Lake), which is being manufactured for the first time in Intel's Intel 4 manufacturing process, which then offers significantly greater performance increases and also better efficiency brings.

After all, the so-called DLVR (Digital Linear Voltage Regulator) could already be installed in the upcoming Raptor Lake processors. This should reduce the required CPU voltage and thus save up to 20 percent of energy. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether the DLVR is only installed in the mobile or also in the desktop processors of the 13th generation. However, the significantly increased overclocking potential in Raptor Lake could be an indication that the desktop processors are already equipped with the new DLVR.