Intel’s 13th Generation Core ‘Raptor Lake’ processors are just weeks away from launch, which is expected to join the ranks of the best CPUs for gaming. Meanwhile, Intel has (apparently accidentally) published some of the specifications of the unlocked parts on its own website, clearing up confusion caused by various unofficial leaks.
That ‘How to choose a gaming CPU‘ page (found by @momomo_us) provides a basic understanding of Intel’s CPU nomenclature and how it works. Intel has revealed the core count and maximum P-core frequency for its Core i5-13600K, Core i7-13700K, and Core i9-13900K processors. These are aimed at enthusiasts who are brave enough to overclock their PC and want a CPU with an unlocked multiplier. (Note that the post has since been updated to show 12th generation CPUs.)
As expected, the Core i9-13900K features a total of 24 cores (8 Raptor Cove high performance cores and 16 Gracemont energy efficient cores), capable of processing up to 32 threads simultaneously. The Core i7-13700K has 16 cores (8P +8E) and can process up to 24 threads at a time, while the Core i5-13600K has 14 cores (6P+8E) and can process up to 20 threads at a time.
Perhaps more importantly, Intel has disclosed the P-core maximum turbo frequency for its unlocked 13th Generation Core processors for desktop. 5.40 GHz for the i9-13900K and 5.30 GHz for the i7-13700K.
Intel’s P-core Max is not the absolute maximum frequency that the company’s latest CPUs can run. For example, the Core i9-13900K runs at 5.70 GHz in Turbo Boost Max 3.0 mode and 5.80 GHz in Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) mode with enough power and proper cooling. Meanwhile, the top-end Core i9-13900KS seems to hit 6.0GHz, but we’re guessing.
Intel doesn’t usually announce specs for upcoming products in advance, but there may be a reason Intel wants to reveal some of the specs for Raptor Lake ahead of launch. AMD is about to start selling its next-generation Ryzen 7000-series processors based on the Zen 4 microarchitecture.Also, the world’s largest CPU maker is just weeks away from its biggest rival unveiling its new 16-core Ryzen offering. Later on, you may want to revisit our plans to offer a 32-core processor for desktops.
The page listing the specs has since been redacted, but the details aren’t surprising and cats, or dinosaurs, are officially out of the bag.Raptor Lake CPUs rumored to launch on October 17th. I’m here.
