CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-13700HX vs Intel Core i9-13980HX
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-13700HX is a desktop-class mobile processor designed for bulky gaming laptops, offering 16 cores and unlocked overclocking for maximum portable performance.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Desktop-class rendering and compilation times.
Exceptional multi‑threaded performance for video encoding, rendering, and compilation, trading blows with 16‑core Zen 4 competitors while generally offering stronger gaming performance.
Gaming
Will not bottleneck any mobile GPU, including the RTX 4090.
Delivers very high FPS in CPU‑bound titles when paired with a fast GPU; often at or near the top of mobile charts in 13th‑gen comparisons, though gains over cheaper HX SKUs are modest in some games.
Virtualization
16 cores and 24 threads easily handle complex VM environments.
32 threads and high clocks make running multiple VMs comfortable; power and thermal headroom are usually the limiting factor, not CPU capability.
Efficiency
Highly power-hungry; terrible battery life.
At full tilt, it draws as much power as some desktop CPUs and runs hot, yielding lower performance‑per‑watt than AMD’s Dragon Range and Apple’s M‑series in efficiency‑focused metrics.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Excellent CPU inference capabilities.
- Large cache helps with complex model loading.
- CPU‑side AI workloads benefit from high core count and AVX2, but there is no dedicated NPU or deep‑learning accelerator.
- Suitable for small‑scale local inference and development; not comparable to specialized AI accelerators or newer NPUs.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Ideal for RTX 4080 and 4090 mobile configurations.
- Unlocked nature allows for manual tuning to extract more FPS.
- Very high single‑threaded performance thanks to 5.6 GHz P‑cores.
- Capable of driving high‑refresh‑rate gaming at 1080p and 1440p with modern GPUs.
- Performance uplift over i9‑13900HX is small in many titles; main gains are in peak clocks and lightly‑threaded scenarios.
- Actual FPS heavily dependent on laptop power limits and cooling; some designs throttle under sustained load.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- True desktop-class 16-core performance
- Unlocked multiplier for tuning
- 20 PCIe 5.0 lanes
- Excellent for heavy 3D workloads
Cons
- Very high power consumption
- Requires bulky cooling systems
- Poor battery life
- Does not support LPDDR5
Pros
- 24 cores and 32 threads provide class‑leading multi‑threaded performance for a mobile CPU.
- 5.6 GHz max turbo enables very strong single‑threaded and gaming performance.
- Desktop‑derived silicon with unlocked multiplier appeals to enthusiasts and OEMs.
- Full DDR5‑5600 and PCIe 5.0 support keeps the platform competitive with contemporary high‑end laptops.
- Excellent for heavy multitasking, streaming, and workstation‑class workloads.
Cons
- High power draw (up to 157W turbo) requires robust cooling and limits battery life.
- Runs hot under sustained load; some laptops throttle or become loud.
- Efficiency lags AMD’s Ryzen 7045HX Dragon Range and Apple’s M‑series in performance‑per‑watt.
- Modest performance gains over the cheaper Core i9‑13900HX in many real‑world scenarios.
- Integrated UHD graphics are basic; you still need a discrete GPU for serious gaming or compute.
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-13700HX
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 7845HXRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13900HXRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13980HXRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900HXRival
Mobile
If you prefer a desktop PC with the same core performance.
Compare head-to-headIf you want a thinner, lighter laptop with decent power.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i9-13980HX
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXRival
High-End Mobile (Dragon Range)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13950HXRival
High-End Mobile (Raptor Lake-HX, vPro)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13900HXRival
High-End Mobile (Raptor Lake-HX)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7845HXRival
High-End Mobile (Dragon Range)
- Intel Core i9-12900HXRival
High-End Mobile (Alder Lake-HX, previous gen)
Direct successor with slightly higher clocks and refined behavior; choose this if you’re buying a new 14th‑gen laptop and want a more recent platform.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 7940HXAlt
Slightly cut‑down Dragon Range with 16 cores and lower power; a good compromise between performance and thermals in some designs.
Fewer cores but still strong gaming and creator performance; often better value and easier to cool in mid‑range laptops.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
The HX series brings true desktop silicon to laptops. The i7-13700HX is an absolute beast, offering i9-level performance for users who don't compromise on portability.
Best for: Buying a desktop-replacement gaming laptop.
Read the full reviewA flagship 13th‑gen mobile HX CPU that delivers outright performance leadership at the cost of high power draw and heat, making it ideal only for well‑cooled, desktop‑replacement laptops.
Best for: You’re buying a high‑end gaming or workstation laptop with strong cooling and plan to keep it plugged in most of the time, and you want the absolute best CPU performance available in the 13th‑gen lineup.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-13700HX or Intel Core i9-13980HX?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-13700HX comes out ahead with a score of 9.1/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-13700HX or Intel Core i9-13980HX?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-13700HX leads with a gaming performance score of 95/100 among Intel Core i7-13700HX and Intel Core i9-13980HX.
Do Intel Core i7-13700HX and Intel Core i9-13980HX use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-13700HX: Intel BGA 1964, Intel Core i9-13980HX: FCBGA1964), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i9-13980HX has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-13700HX (16 cores), Intel Core i9-13980HX (24 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-13700HX posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-13700HX (40,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.