That is our first have a look at Intel’s Thirteenth-gen Raptor Lake cell processors and we’ll do this by totally benchmarking the Core i9-13950HX, which is simply concerning the quickest laptop computer chip that Intel has ever made. Just lately we additionally checked out the brand new Nvidia RTX 4090 Laptop GPU which is the flagship graphics part that’s set to reach alongside top-end 13950HX laptops. Should you missed that go and test it out to see how this era’s quickest GPU fares, however now it is time to take a look at CPU efficiency.
Raptor Lake for laptops is comparable in its general design rules to Raptor Lake for desktop. It takes the fundamental structure of final 12 months’s Alder Lake and beefs it up by an enhanced Raptor Cove P-core with extra L2 cache, increased clock speeds, and sooner reminiscence help. The E-cores have not been overlooked both, with Intel throwing extra of them into the image for some fashions, particularly on the excessive finish.
Like with desktop Raptor Lake, not all Thirteenth-gen cell processors use the brand new design with Raptor Cove cores – for instance, the Core i7-13700HX is principally only a refresh of the Alder Lake Core i9-12900HX from final 12 months.
However the Core i9-13950HX is new, it does use Raptor Cove, and will increase the general core depend to eight P cores and a whopping 16 E cores. This HX sequence half is principally the flagship desktop Core i9-13900K repurposed for a laptop computer and with extra laptop-appropriate energy limits.
Along with 24 cores and 32 threads, the 13950HX brings clock speeds of as much as 5.5 GHz on the P-cores and 4.0 GHz on the E-cores, plus 36 MB of whole L3 cache.
The built-in graphics resolution is weak although: simply 32 execution items clocked as much as 1.65 GHz, which is indicative of how this laptop computer chip is designed for use with discrete graphics. The default energy restrict is ready at 55W long run, although some laptop computer designs will improve this considerably if they’ve the cooling energy accessible.
On condition that the Core i9-13950HX is principally a desktop chip put right into a laptop computer, it is naturally positioned as a excessive finish CPU for giant gaming and workstation machines. That is the place we count on to completely see the brand new 55W HX-series elements. For different varieties of notebooks, Intel has the extra conventional Raptor Lake H sequence at 45W with fewer cores (the 13900HK has 6 P cores and eight E cores), in addition to low energy P and U sequence fashions.
There are legitimately so many new Raptor Lake cell chips that it may be unattainable to check all of them, so we’re hoping to the touch on a number of choose fashions all through the approaching months.
For testing the Core i9-13950HX we’ve the MSI Titan GT77 which additionally options an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop computer GPU at 150-175W, 64GB of DDR5-4800 reminiscence and a 4K 144Hz mini-LED show.
This laptop computer has a ton of cooling energy, so by default it runs at fairly a excessive CPU energy degree in some workloads, which may be very helpful for our energy scaling numbers we’ll present later.
It is fairly uncommon to see laptops in a position to maintain over 130W of CPU energy although, so for many of this testing we’re utilizing our regular energy normalized setup that assess efficiency on the base energy ranking (on this case 55W) in addition to 75W, a typical boosted energy degree that the majority laptops can obtain. Turbo energy has been left unchanged.
Nevertheless, we should always notice that whereas we acquired a Titan GT77 that makes use of the 13950HX, precise delivery retail items will use the 13980HX, which is principally the identical CPU however with a barely increased single core turbo frequency.
Software Benchmarks
Beginning with Cinebench R23 utilizing base energy and the Core i9-13950HX may be very spectacular at a 55W long run energy restrict. The addition of 8 extra E cores relative to the 12900HX does enhance multi-thread efficiency considerably on the identical energy degree, giving us a 46 % increased rating on this workload.
This has usually been the case for a lot of laptop computer CPU generations now: extra cores clocked decrease is extra environment friendly than fewer cores clocked increased, so when energy constrained the extra core resolution is ready to ship higher general efficiency. That is very robust scaling given the CPU has 50% extra cores.
When rising the CPU energy restrict to 75W for all elements, the margin between 13950HX and 12900HX stays fairly related, at 42 %. Each elements scale effectively to increased energy ranges, and clearly this new Core i9 half is preferable for prime energy, excessive efficiency multithreaded workloads.
In R23’s single-threaded take a look at the features are naturally rather a lot decrease, as the final P-core structure is sort of related between Twelfth and Thirteenth gen. The principle distinction here’s a increased single-core clock velocity, leaping from 5.0 to five.5 GHz, plus extra L2 cache.
I recorded round 10 % higher efficiency right here, which is true on what is predicted given the clock velocity distinction. This continues to provide Intel a really robust lead in single thread efficiency in comparison with AMD’s Ryzen 6000 processors, though AMD is about to launch new Zen 4 elements shortly.
In Handbrake the 13950HX was 33 % sooner than the 12900HX at base energy. This allowed Intel to push previous the 2 earlier leaders on this workload, the Ryzen 9 5900HX and Ryzen 7 6800H, making it the outright winner by a really strong 25 % margin. The 13950HX was much less robust at 75W with a 25% lead on the 12900HX, however nonetheless that is nonetheless a really first rate gen on gen efficiency improve for software program based mostly video encoding.
Most individuals are in all probability going to make use of Blender‘s GPU rendering as of late with elements just like the RTX 4090 Laptop computer GPU, however CPU encoding remains to be an excellent multi-thread stress take a look at. Right here the 13950HX within the Open Knowledge workload ended up once more 45 % sooner than the 12900HX, which is a superb outcome due to the extra 8 E-cores.
For Chromium Code compilation the brand new 13950HX was, you guessed it, 45 % sooner than the 12900HX and 12900HK, which have been principally tied on this workload. It is clear that multi-threaded CPU sure duties like this are the principle space the place Raptor Lake is ready to outperform Alder Lake by a big margin, which is nice information for these trying to purchase a brand new laptop computer this 12 months, as GPU efficiency has additionally elevated considerably so that you’re taking a look at a double whammy for higher efficiency.
At 75W on this workload the 13950HX’s lead wasn’t as superb however nonetheless beat the 12900HX by 36 %, so it appears the 55W numbers are a bit extra favorable to Thirteenth-gen and should spotlight some effectivity enhancements.
MATLAB is a brief burst workload that may be very reminiscence and single thread delicate. Whereas the 13950HX is the quickest CPU I’ve examined thus far on this benchmark, it is not massively sooner than its predecessor, only a 6 % achieve. With that mentioned, Intel’s excessive IPC does result in a domination of different processors right here, principally all the highest processors in Matlab are Intel.
In our Microsoft Excel quantity crunching workload the 13950HX performs strongly, however not as strongly right here as in different multi-threaded checks. It did are available 24 % sooner than the 12900HX which is first rate, and like in Matlab this provides Intel a really massive lead over the closest AMD CPU that we have examined. I count on this hole to shut in a number of months as soon as Zen 4 arrives.
UL Procyon’s Workplace benchmark checks productiveness efficiency throughout the total suite of Microsoft apps and right here I did not see any notable efficiency achieve for the 13950HX vs 12900HX. The 2 Twelfth-gen Core i9 techniques I examined have been truly barely sooner, however shut sufficient to not make this a big lead both approach.
Raptor Lake loves 7-Zip so we’re getting fairly a big efficiency improve within the compression take a look at. 31 % sooner in comparison with the 12900HX which once more, retains Intel in the number one place comfortably for now. The features are even bigger for decompression, the place I recorded a 43 % efficiency improve relative to the 12900HX, which matches a few of the earlier outcomes for benchmarks like Cinebench and Blender. Very spectacular stuff right here.
Adobe Photoshop is a really single threaded benchmark and I truly did not see any efficiency distinction right here between the 13950HX and 12900HX which was a little bit of a shock. However I triple checked these numbers and certainly the brand new Thirteenth-gen half is a bit slower than the previous 12900HK. This might be associated to very weak iGPU efficiency, which at instances Photoshop depends on.
The 13950HX was fairly spectacular in FL Studio, exporting a monitor 36 % sooner than the 12900HX, which was surprisingly weak on this workload utilizing base energy. The margins in comparison with the 12900HK have been smaller at simply 26 %, however that is nonetheless a considerable improve in efficiency gen-on-gen on the identical energy degree.
Combined CPU and GPU Benchmarks
The mix of a brand new Core i9-13950HX and RTX 4090 Laptop GPU wasn’t as advantageous in Adobe Premiere as I anticipated. Wanting on the general rating the brand new flagship contender was simply 7 % sooner than our earlier chief, although this was affected by barely decrease reside playback efficiency.
After we isolate the Export rating we see a 15 % enchancment, and a 21 % enchancment for results. This presumably is not as excessive as another benchmarks as Premiere makes use of {hardware} encoding, which hasn’t elevated in efficiency this era.
After Results advantages from elevated single thread efficiency to finish up 9 % sooner than our earlier greatest outcome on this take a look at, which is in step with different calmly threaded outcomes that we have seen. An analogous end in Agisoft Metashape for this combined workload in comparison with earlier era laptops.
Gaming Benchmarks
Gaming efficiency may be very troublesome to isolate with the 13950HX as laptops utilizing this processor are prone to function a lot sooner graphics as effectively. We noticed the RTX 4090 Laptop computer GPU is over 50% sooner in GPU restricted eventualities relative to the RTX 3080 Ti Laptop, so any gaming benchmark evaluating Thirteenth gen to Twelfth-gen will not be apples to apples and might be influenced by a considerable GPU enchancment.
With that mentioned, we predict there’s some worth in wanting on the most CPU restricted benchmarks we’ve, so let’s go. In CS:GO at 1080p utilizing lowest settings, the brand new flagship 13950HX configuration was 26 % sooner when it comes to common efficiency which is certainly a powerful outcome for one era in a largely CPU restricted sport.
Age of Empires IV wasn’t as spectacular although. Right here utilizing medium settings at 1080p, the brand new 13950HX laptop computer was simply 6 % sooner than our earlier 12900HK system with the RTX 3080 Ti, and really regressed in 1% low efficiency. Not a very superior outcome that might have you ever upgrading when CPU restricted.
Rainbow Six Siege efficiency at 1080p utilizing medium settings may be very excessive, averaging over 350 FPS which is a lot on this title. The 13950HX ended up 15% sooner than our 12900HK configuration, so a modest achieve.
In Watch Canine Legion at 1080p utilizing the low preset, I noticed no efficiency distinction between the 13950HX and 12900HK, and solely a small enchancment relative to the 12900HX. This sport is clearly absolutely CPU restricted beneath these situations, and the most effective I may say is that 1% lows are 8 % increased on the 13950HX.
Within the very CPU demanding Hitman 3 Dartmoor benchmark we noticed a modest efficiency enchancment of 14 % at 1080p evaluating this new flagship laptop computer to a earlier era flagship, by the way each from MSI. 1% lows rose by 14 % as effectively, which appears to be across the common outcome of what’s attainable from this era.
We have additionally found lately that video games comparable to Far Cry 6 are massively CPU restricted at 1080p even utilizing Extremely settings on a contemporary laptop computer. The improve to a 13950HX and RTX 4090 Laptop computer GPU solely caused a 5 % improve in efficiency on common relative to a last-gen flagship, though on this sport 1% lows did improve by 15% which is extra notable.
Energy Scaling
The Core i9-13950HX is palms down probably the most environment friendly laptop computer CPU we have examined thus far, and presently the most effective general even at energy limits as little as 35W. Whereas the margin at a comparatively decrease energy degree is not superb relative to different elements, that is an space that the 12900HX struggled with, because it was truly much less environment friendly than the 12900HK and solely regained the lead at increased energy ranges.
Whereas we have not examined the 13900HK to match to the 13950HX, the brand new HX mannequin is beginning off from a extra strong footing that places it above Ryzen 6000 and the Apple M1 Professional. Energy scaling normally is similar to the 12900HX however at a a lot increased effectivity degree general.
You’ll be able to see why Intel set a default TDP of 55W right here as efficiency would not scale very effectively at energy ranges beneath this, whereas the hole to different CPUs is usually maintained at increased energy ranges as much as 95W, which is proven on this chart.
Between 55 and 105W we would say is the candy spot, though increased ranges of efficiency are attainable above 105W, simply with diminishing returns. For instance, going from 55W to 75W the rating will increase by 18% for 36% increased energy. However going from 105W to 145W provides us only a 12% achieve in efficiency from 38% extra energy.
It is also necessary to notice that not all laptop computer designs are able to working the CPU at 145W of sustained energy, in truth it is extremely uncommon. For instance, the earlier HX laptop computer we needed to take a look at was from Gigabyte and that topped out at 95W sustained on the 12900HX. So whereas it’s attainable for the 13950HX to carry out about 33% higher once more at 145W vs the 75W we confirmed in a few of our benchmarks, that will not be a sensible degree of efficiency in a laptop computer it’s possible you’ll be contemplating.
And sure, taking a look at wall energy utilization even at its default 55W configuration the 13950HX makes use of numerous energy, extra like 66W sustained after subtracting idle energy. And simply have a look at that enhance energy, wow, the GT77 is admittedly able to pushing this factor to loopy ranges for a really quick time frame.
In the meantime, single thread efficiency was truly a bit stunning, with a decrease degree of energy consumption than my 12900HX unit, suggesting some optimization has occurred right here or maybe I’ve a effectively binned mannequin.
Battery Life
We would not advocate shopping for a Core i9-13950HX system for the stellar battery life. At the least with our MSI take a look at mannequin, not solely does battery life suck, it additionally reduces efficiency on battery by round 33% utilizing Home windows 11’s greatest effectivity mode.
Wanting on the PCMark 10 Functions Battery Life take a look at, we solely noticed a small improve in stamina per watt hour of battery capability evaluating this Thirteenth gen half to Twelfth-gen.
The Ryzen 6800H unit from AMD we examined some time again is considerably higher when it comes to battery life on this take a look at. However this kind of system is not designed for lengthy battery life, as loopy as that sounds for a laptop computer, this kind of workstation/gaming chip is supposed for use plugged in.
What We Discovered
Total we have been impressed with the Core i9-13950HX and we’re glad to see a powerful soar in efficiency from Intel’s Raptor Lake processors this era. This follows the robust features we noticed from Twelfth vs. Eleventh-gen, so it is fairly attainable to see practically double the efficiency in comparison with Intel laptops from simply two years in the past.
The areas the place the flagship 13950HX are most spectacular are with multi-threaded efficiency and general processor effectivity. In comparison with the 12900HX this new 24-core mannequin is commonly upwards of 35 % sooner in closely multithreaded workloads, with the addition of 8 extra E cores working effectively right here beneath the ability constraints of a laptop computer.
This offers the 13590HX a considerable improve to efficiency per watt, regardless that in most techniques we suspect this CPU will likely be run at fairly excessive sustained energy ranges, like 75W and even 100W. Patrons will likely be glad to know that at, say 100W, that is nonetheless probably the most environment friendly half we have examined.
Except for spectacular multithread enhancements, do not count on too many features elsewhere. Raptor Lake is ~10 % sooner for single-threading due to increased clock speeds, however that is much less of an enchancment than we noticed with Alder Lake. Gaming efficiency, whereas onerous to separate as a result of big features in GPU efficiency this 12 months, can also be solely considerably sooner when CPU restricted and never a significant promoting level to Thirteenth-gen in comparison with Twelfth-gen.
However the general bundle is definitely price contemplating, particularly for a workstation system. Even with slimmer features to calmly threaded efficiency, the 13950HX remains to be 30 % sooner than the most effective Ryzen 6000 sequence or Eleventh-gen cell CPUs we have examined – so something apart from Twelfth-gen might be price upgrading from, particularly with these aforementioned features in GPU efficiency.
After years of stagnation, it is nice to see Intel again at it with first rate velocity enhancements these final couple of releases. We’re additionally happy to see that the Core i9 this era is genuinely giving consumers an improve, whereas in earlier years the Core i9 was little greater than a barely increased clocked Core i7.
The 13950HX has extra cores than any Core i7 mannequin from the Thirteenth-gen, one thing just like the 13700HX is now equal to a 12900HX from final 12 months, which we confirmed to be fairly a bit slower. So for as soon as, at the least with the HX sequence (much less so with the common H sequence), there’s a cause to spend that bit extra on a Core i9.
With that mentioned, we would nonetheless advise holding off on any laptop computer buy from a CPU standpoint till we see AMD’s new Ryzen 7000 cell processors leveraging the Zen 4 structure, that are set to launch throughout the subsequent two months. Ryzen 7000 is trying to be fairly a considerable improve, which is why we did not spend a lot time evaluating Thirteenth-gen Core to Ryzen 6000 on this evaluation.
These older Zen 3+ elements will likely be outmoded very shortly. As soon as we’ve the efficiency knowledge in for Zen 4 laptops, we’ll have a a lot better thought of which laptop computer household is price shopping for this era.
On a extra unfavorable notice, we have been disenchanted to see that the effectivity features for the 13950HX do not translate effectively into an excellent expertise on battery. The 13950HX is not any slouch on battery, but it surely does lose numerous efficiency when not plugged in, and battery life is horrible on these huge beefy gaming notebooks. We might wish to see a renewed focus into making a wonderful excessive efficiency expertise on battery, as a result of that is what a laptop computer ought to be, an important system to make use of on the go. These types of machines are rather a lot much less compelling once they should be plugged right into a wall 100% of the time to be helpful.
There’s additionally the problem with pricing, this 12 months’s laptops wish to be particularly dear, but it surely’s onerous to remark an excessive amount of once we solely have RTX 4080 and RTX 4090 laptops thus far.
Essentially the most inexpensive Raptor Lake-HX Core i9 laptop computer we have seen is round $2,500, but it surely’s attainable we’ll additionally see this CPU used for RTX 4070 techniques which is able to arrive later this month. We’re not anticipating it to be low cost to get this degree of efficiency, however we simply cannot inform the way it compares to different choices on this new line-up at such an early stage.
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