Intel Core i5-13490F and i7-13790F processors are now available in China

Intel Core i7-13790F and i5-13490F now available

First details on China-exclusive processors from the 13th Gen Core series. 

The last-gen series did not feature a Core i7 xx90F variant, but there was a Core i5 model which is now being succeeded by i5-13490F. Some reports refer to them as “Black Series” but only because of the black packaging they were sold with.

Specs wise, since i5-13490F retains the same core/thread configuration as 13400F, but it has higher clocks (+200 MHz) and more cache. The specs of the i7-13790F were not yet confirmed, but one might assume it will follow the same principle.

Intel Core i5-13490F, Source: Intel China

Both processors are now available to Chinese customers. The i5-13490F can be bought in a fancy black box for 1599 RMB, which is actually cheaper than i3-13400F from the same official Intel store. The official MSRP for 13400F is $196, so the 13490F should cost around $186 after conversion to US pricing.

The i7-13790F is a bit more complicated to value because it is not yet sold as a standalone product. Instead, customers may add this processor as an option to CPU & motherboard bundle. However, if we reduce the value of 13700F processor from the bundle we can estimate that i7-13790F could cost around $370.

There is a simple reason why Intel might be adding more SKUs. The company is using at least three different dies for the 13th Gen Core series now: H0 (6P+0E) for entry-level models, C0 (8P+8E) for mid-range and high-end, and the newest Raptor Lake die called B0 with 8+16E configuration used by Core i9 lineup. More SKUs give Intel more options to sell those dies under a large umbrella of Core series.

Update: @wnxod leaked the CPU-Z specs of the i7-13790F. The processor indeed features 16 cores (8P+8E) but has more L3 memory (33MB) than 13700F. The max boost clock appears to be lower by 100 MHz though (5.1 GHz):

Intel Core i7-13790F, Source: @wnxod

Source: JD