Flashy as new processors are, opting for the latest high-performance chip often costs a pretty penny. If you’re willing to wind the clock back a few years, there are plenty of fast CPUs worth picking up for a fraction of their original MSRP. Lo and behold, Intel’s Core i7-13700F serves as proof of this trail of thought.
Intel Core i7-13700F
“Whether you are working, streaming, gaming, or creating, the 13th Gen Intel Core desktop processors deliver the next generation of breakthrough performance.” – Intel
Right now, you can pick up a Core i7-13700F for your system for as little as $255 via Amazon. That’s a welcome $104 (29%) saving compared to Intel’s launch price, and makes it the most affordable the processor has ever been from the storefront.
Core i7-13700F arrives with 16 cores, made up of eight Performance-cores and eight Efficient-cores that together offer 24 threads in total. Combine these specifications with its 5.2GHz maximum turbo frequency and this CPU will prove a deft hand at most tasks, gaming or production-oriented.
Core i7-13700F also comes with a stock cooler in the box. It’s more than capable of keeping the processor cool under load, so you don’t have to spend any extra cash on an aftermarket solution. Of course, the CPU will also pair nicely with any Socket LGA1700 compatible cooler.
Speaking of Socket LGA1700, you’ll be able to slot Core i7-13700F into motherboard with a 700 series chipset (Z790, H770, and B760). The processor is backwards compatible with 600 series models too subject to a BIOS update. You’ll find plenty of high-value boards on the market in either flavour.
Note that Core i7-13700F does not support overclocking nor does it feature integrated graphics. As such, you’ll need to pair it with discrete graphics and shouldn’t expect to push it beyond stock clocks. Neither of these limitations are deal-breakers but are important to remember.
If you’re at all anxious about purchasing a 13th Gen Core CPU following reports of instabilities in 2024, worry not. Intel deployed a microcode patch that resolves this problem which comes part and parcel of the latest versions of Windows 11. Update your operating system and you’re golden.
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