Should I hold off on the i7 13700k or opt for the i9 12900k?
Should I hold off on the i7 13700k or opt for the i9 12900k?
According to the title, you need to consider what actions to take next.
Currently, I'm working with a specific configuration for this build. Please share your own details so I can understand what you're doing with it beyond just gaming. It's important to note that many users get placed in the wrong section, which is why I asked this clarifying question.
Keep in mind that the 12900 model runs hotter than the 12700, so if you're planning to engage in intense gaming sessions, you'll want a case with solid airflow and a reliable CPU cooler, particularly if your room temperature tends to rise during summer months. As Lutfij wisely noted, we can't offer complete guidance without knowing your specific needs and the other components involved. It seems you're likely aiming for PC gaming, given your post. If you're interested in current hardware opinions, I was initially thinking about the 12600, but now I'm focusing on what's available right now—the 12700 looks more suitable for me, mainly because of its additional cores for future compatibility. I should mention that I'm not a $500+ budget player when it comes to CPUs, just to be clear. Even though I enjoy pushing settings to their limits as a hardcore gamer, most games I play rely more on the GPU than the CPU. There are only a few titles where the CPU plays a bigger role. Think about your gaming habits and whether they lean more toward GPU or CPU performance before making a choice. For instance, Valorant is a recent example of a game that heavily uses the CPU. If my next upgrade isn't until the 13th generation Intel CPUs (which seems likely), I might consider the 13700. This could be especially appealing if DDR5 becomes more cost-effective and faster than it currently is, which is often the case with new RAM generations. Rumors suggest there will still be affordable DDR4 options for Raptor Lake. The positive aspect of the 13th generation is that Intel is working hard to regain its leadership in gaming after a disappointing 11th generation. They're not just upgrading the 12th generation with higher clock speeds for the 13th; they're planning significant improvements like more cores, better connectivity, a refreshed core design, PCIe 5.0 SSD support, and possibly a boosted peak clock. Additionally, the 13700 will offer double the cache compared to the 12700. While it has the same number of performance cores, they'll be larger. Source: 13th-Gen Raptor Lake,peak boost clock to bear So everything seems promising, provided it doesn't overheat. I think this is because they're sticking with a 10nm process and refining it—possibly adding a bigger performance core, a smaller efficiency core, which could increase heat unless the new architecture improves data handling. That's their likely goal. I'd prefer similar temperatures and better speed, which aligns with what they're aiming for. It makes sense that Intel is pushing Raptor Lake hard. They were pioneers in mixing core designs for PC gaming, and now they want to reinforce their dominance before AMD steps up. However, it's tough to give a definitive answer just yet, since the exact pricing hasn't been announced. Intel, like Nvidia, usually keeps details private until closer to release. This information is expected to be revealed in Q4 2022, around the holiday shopping period, and may not be available until November when the season kicks in. All guesswork remains.
Running on a current system
GPU: Asus RTX 3080 Rog strix v2 OC
CPU: i7 9700k
Motherboard: Z390-e
RAM: 32gb Trident z g skill (8x4)
Storage: 3 Samsung SSDs
Operating System: Installed on 500gb ssd (Samsung 860)
Power Supply: Asus Thor 1200w
Cooling: nzxt kraken z73
Fans: 6 Lian Li sl 120 fans
Case: Asus Helios
Display: Alienware aw3821dw
It remains challenging to offer guidance because we are still uncertain about whether you play games, which ones you enjoy, and any upcoming titles you intend to try. I believe given your high-resolution ultrawide display, you should aim to play all games at their native resolution. Additionally, the device supports a solid 144Hz refresh rate, making it beneficial to understand if your focus is on achieving that speed in FPS—something that can be difficult in certain titles. Ultimately, the key lies in assessing the workload your PC will face and how you interact with the software.
I enjoy playing games and aim to run most new titles at ultra settings with over 80+ fps. I know higher resolution games put more strain on the GPU, but I also want a solid CPU to handle upgrades like the 4080. With that in mind, what should I do?
I'm kind of thinking of going with a 4080 too, but for me it could take some time because I was hoping to wait for a drop in price on it. It wouldn't be such a bad idea to wait for the 13700k either, but I would advise asking vendors how much stock they have and can get on the alternative. Like I said, the alternative for me would be the 12700k, but I don't tend to play CPU demanding games. Even if you do though, the 13700k might run cooler than a 12900, and cost less.
As I was saying before, it's hard to advise on something like this when we haven't even seen the price or performance of the 13700k yet. What I would use as a deciding factor is whether you're experiencing any performance issues with games on your current CPU, especially CPU demanding games like Valorant if you play them. If not I could see that system holding you over until you actually need a better CPU and GPU.