Intel officially expanded the line of Core 13-generation chips, presenting mass models with a TDP of 65 W, as well as economic versions with a basic power consumption of 35 W. The classic CPU line was replenished by 10 chips at once, while it should be noted that the Intel Core 13xxx line includes both processors with the Alder Lake architecture and models of the updated Raptor Lake family.

The Core i9 series expanded with two models – Core i9-13900 and Core i9-13900F, which differ only in integrated graphics, which is deactivated in the latter case. The Core i9 models have the modernized Raptor Lake architecture and are distinguished by the presence of 8 productive (up to 5.6 GHz) and as many as 16 energy-efficient cores, including 36 MB L3 and 32 MB L2. Despite the basic power consumption value of 65 W, during maximum acceleration it can increase to 219 W (Max Turbo Power).

The Core i7 line was also replenished with actually one model in two modifications – Core i7-13700 and Core i7-13700F. Like the chips of the top series, all Core i7s are Raptor Lake carriers, which means they have certain advantages over their predecessors in performance per clock. The configuration of 8/16+8 cores also provides for an increase in energy-efficient computers, as well as the capacity of cache memory of the second and third levels. Peak boost of productive cores – up to 5.2 GHz. At the same time, the declared power consumption parameters are similar to the new Core i9 – 65/219 W.

The massive Core 5 chips with a locked multiplier unfortunately remain on the Alder Lake platform, but despite everything, these are the models that will actually get the biggest boost compared to their predecessors. For the updated line, the developers dared to unlock E-cores, which were previously unavailable to Core i5. And if the basic Core i5-13400/13400F models received 4 additional cores and they have a functional formula of 6/12+4, then for the Core i5-13500/13600 8 energy-efficient computers are already activated, and the overall layout has a configuration of 6/12+8.

A hybrid architecture will naturally benefit performance, especially in multi-threaded scenarios. In such cases, Intel promises an increase of up to 39%. Core i5 base consumption values are also fixed at 65 W, while the declared Max Turbo Power for entry-level models is 148 W, and for Core i5-13500/13600 – 154 W.

Minimum acceleration is provided for Core i3 series processors. Architecturally, they also remain based on Alder Lake, while the functional configuration has also not changed – 4/8. All you can count on is increased maximum frequencies. If the predecessors Core i3-12100/12100F had 3.3/4.3 GHz, then the “updated” models Core i3-13100/13100F – 3.4/4.5 GHz. Estimated power consumption modes – 58/89 W for the version without graphics, and 60/89 W for the modification with activated iGPU.

As for the recommended prices, the mass models of Core 13xx turned out to be approximately 10% more expensive than their predecessors. However, in order not to confuse anyone with this fact, Intel decided simultaneously with the announcement of new CPUs to raise prices for the corresponding desktop models of the previous generation. So, in fact, we can talk about a general increase in the price of Intel processors for desktop PCs.

Along with classic chips, Intel also presented economical versions with reduced power consumption. We remind you that such models have the symbol “T” in their marking. Such chips differ from more powerful versions only in reduced operating frequencies and supply voltage, so they are primarily interesting for use in monoblocks or mini-PCs, which do not allow adjusting such parameters. An attractive consumption figure of 35W is also the base, while during acceleration the power appetite of the Core i9/i7 can rise to 106W, the Core i5 chips – 82-92W, while the Core i3 – up to 69W.

The price tags of the economy versions are identical to those of the classic models, so this is definitely not an option for savings. It’s just a matter of using chips.

Evaluating the characteristics of the presented models, Alder Lake chips are easy to distinguish from modernized Raptor Lake by the support of the declared operating modes of RAM. Both generations work with both DDR4 and DDR5, but the Alder Lake models are guaranteed DDR5 operation in modes up to DDR5-4800, while the successors have official support up to DDR5-5600. However, of course, both of them will work with much faster modules.