Intel Core i7-13700HX vs Core i9-13980HX: Which is best for gaming?

The Intel Core i7-13700HX and the Intel Core i9-13980HX are two of the best laptop processors in the market right now, leading one to wonder which among them is the best 13th-gen Intel mobile processor. Their on-paper specs are very different and the i9 certainly has its advantages. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's the better chipset. These chips usually come paired with a super powerful GPU, so you'd have a gaming machine either way.

However, choosing between laptops with either of these chips can be difficult, not to mention confusing. To help you make an informed decision, here's a well-rounded comparison where we'll look into their features, performance, and value for money.

Intel Core i7-13700HX vs Core i9-13980HX: What are their specifications?

Both the i7 and i9 chips are slightly different when it comes to on-paper specs (Image via Intel)

If you are familiar with tech, you might know that the i9 line-up is much more feature-packed than the i7 and fetches more performance. However, more isn't always better. As you can see, the Intel Core i7-13700HX features fewer cores and threads, at 16 and 24 respectively.

Compared to this, the Intel Core i9-13980HX is a 24-core CPU with a whopping 32 threads. This undoubtedly gives it a big boost. However, the base clock speeds of both processors are nearly the same. However, their boost clocks differ immensely, with the i9 being around 600MHz faster, making it the better pick for complex tasks and gaming.

Features	Intel Core i7-13700HX	Intel Core i9-13980HX
Architecture	Raptor Lake	Raptor Lake
Cores	16 (8 performance, 8 efficient)	24 (8 performance, 16 efficient)
Threads	24	32
Base Clock Speed	2.1 GHz	2.2 GHz
Boost Clock Speed	5.0 GHz	5.6 GHz
Cache	30 MB	36 MB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	55 W	55 W
Maximum Turbo Power (MTP)	157 W	157 W

As you can see, the i7-13700HX isn't very different from the i9-13980HX except when it comes to the cores, threads, and boost clock speeds. The i9 offers much better performance, but the i7 is the more efficient one. Let's check out how both these chips perform on the benchmarks in the section below.

Intel Core i7-13700HX vs Core i9-13980HX: Performance

Both chips are high-performing processors and score really well on the benchmarks (Image via Intel)

The Intel i7-13700HX is a solid performer with a high clock speed of 5 GHz and puts up really impressive numbers on the benchmarks. The Intel Core i9-13980HX undoubtedly has better numbers due to the greater number of cores and threads, making it a better choice for complex multi-threaded tasks and workloads.

You'd probably really benefit from an i9 if you are in the creative field where you'd have to do a ton of video renders. Web development, multitasking, and processing tasks are some other examples where you'd truly be able to see the difference. Other than that, it's fairly unnoticeable.

Benchmark	Intel Core i7-13700HX	Intel Core i9-13980HX
Cinebench R23 single core	1842	2214
Cinebench R23 multi core	20467	31247
Geekbench 6 single core	2503	2760
Geekbench 6 multi core	13824	17336

While i9 laptop processors are certainly more performant, they aren't favored much because they tend to run at higher temperatures and consume much more power. Thus, we recommend you go for the Intel Core i7-13700HX if your purpose is basic computing and gaming. However, if you are in the creative field where you'd need that extra number of cores and threads, go for the i9.

Gaming performance

The i7-13700HX can run even the most demanding games at high framerates (Image via YouTube/ PC Support & Gaming Test)

Both the Intel Core i7-13700HX and the Intel Core i9-13980HX are excellent gaming chips. If you're looking for a laptop featuring either of these chips, chances are that they're paired with a powerful RTX GPU, making them incredible choices for gaming.

The following framerates have been sourced from YouTube channels like Venom's Tech and PC Support & Gaming Test and have been conducted on laptops featuring the RTX 4060 graphics card.

Games (with RTX 4060 card)	Intel Core i7-13700HX	Intel Core i9-13980HX
Valorant	430 fps	450 fps
Grand Theft Auto V	119 fps	138 fps
God of War	65 fps	71 fps
Red Dead Redemption 2	69 fps	78 fps
The Last of Us Part 1	82 fps	85 fps

As the table shows, the extra specs on the i9 get you an almost insignificant and minute boost. The performance is fairly similar, and the i9 doesn't have that much of an advantage here.

Most of the tasks are processed by your GPU, so your game performance is more reliant on that. Thus, for gaming exclusively, we'd say the Intel Core i9-13980HX is better. However, if you ask us which is the better chip in terms of efficiency and heat dissipation, we'd recommend you get the Intel Core i7-13700HX, as it is the more efficient performer.

Intel Core i7-13700HX vs Core i9-13980HX: Which has greater value for money?

Laptops featuring the i7 and i9 chips (Image via Amazon, BestBuy, Intel)

Intel Core i9-13980HX laptops are super expensive, retailing for over $3000 and higher. They usually start at around $1,799, though. On the other hand, the Intel Core i7-13700HX is much more affordable. It is available for figures between $1200 ballpark and $2000. Some i7 laptops even start at $799, but they don't feature a dedicated GPU.

The Core i7-13700HX offers greater value for money without a doubt. For a little over $1000, you're getting a full-blown gaming laptop (if it has an RTX GPU), and possibly, a workstation (if it has the supporting specs), which makes it a splendid option to go for.

Intel Core i7-13700HX vs Core i9-13980HX: Final Verdict

The answer is quite clear, the Core i9-13980HX is the better performer overall, but looking at practicality and overall value for money, we feel the Intel Core i7-13700HX is the better processor and the one you should go for.

It is fast, efficient, and has a much lower chance of blowing up your PC when overheated. Jokes aside, the i7 is undoubtedly the better chip for those wanting a stable CPU with decent power consumption.

In all fairness, while you can go for the i9-13980HX processor, we will only recommend it to creatives who really need that extra push. Other than that, the i7-13700HX can help you do most things you can do with the i9.

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Edited by Abhishek Manikandan