Compare 13700 and 13600 models, including K, KF, or other variants.
Compare 13700 and 13600 models, including K, KF, or other variants.
The -F in a SKU indicates the absence of an integrated GPU, regardless of whether it's paired with a -K or another designation. These non-F models typically cost about $5 to $10 less, making them a good option if you plan to use the dedicated graphics card. If the price difference is negligible, it’s usually better to choose the standard version. The exception is the 13900KF versus 13900K, where the former is unbinned and the latter is a down-level of the 13900KS, increasing your chances of finding a better chip. The -K designation often suggests a higher base/boost clock and unlocked overclocking capability. However, starting with the 12th generation this can also refer to a physical CPU variation, such as the 12600 lacking E cores compared to the 12600K. On the 13th generation, the difference becomes more nuanced; the 13600 has roughly half the L2 cache of the 13600K, which may affect performance in certain tasks. This distinction disappears on the 13700 and 13700K, where the differences are limited to clock speeds. People recommend opting for a 13600K over a 13700 or 13700K for gaming because six cores usually suffice for most games, allowing cost savings.
I need to clarify which letter identifiers match the processors. I was trying to determine why the 13th Gen I5 is suggested instead of the 13th Gen I7.