Intel Core i9-13900KS + NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super Bottleneck Analysis

The NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super is the limiting component with the Intel Core i9-13900KS (roughly 13-18% at 1440p) - that is the healthy direction for gaming, and the CPU has headroom for a future GPU upgrade.

Balance across resolutions

1080p

Balanced

1440p

GPU 13-18%

4K

GPU 18-23%

Benchmark data updated July 2026 · prices sync daily from retail feeds · how we score

Component scores below are out of 100 on our gaming-performance scale, weighted by how much each resolution leans on the CPU vs the GPU - the closer the two weighted scores, the more balanced the pairing.

1080p (Full HD)

Well Balanced
CPU: Intel Core i9-13900KSScore: 95/100
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 SuperScore: 78/100
CPU Weight: 60%GPU Weight: 40%

Estimated AAA Game FPS

Based on gaming scores. Actual FPS varies by title.

performance

164

FPS

balanced

129

FPS

ultra

98

FPS

Great pairing! The Intel Core i9-13900KS and NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super are well-matched at 1080p (Full HD). Both components will be utilized efficiently with minimal performance waste. This is an ideal combination for this resolution.

1440p (Quad HD)

Moderate GPU Bottleneck (13-18%)
CPU: Intel Core i9-13900KSScore: 95/100
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 SuperScore: 78/100

Limiting factor at this resolution

CPU Weight: 40%GPU Weight: 60%

Estimated AAA Game FPS

Based on gaming scores. Actual FPS varies by title.

performance

129

FPS

balanced

94

FPS

ultra

65

FPS

At 1440p (Quad HD), the NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super will hold back the Intel Core i9-13900KS by roughly 13-18% depending on the game. At 1440p the GPU carries most of the workload, and your graphics card is the limiting factor. Upgrading your GPU would provide the biggest performance improvement at this resolution.

4K (Ultra HD)

Moderate GPU Bottleneck (18-23%)
CPU: Intel Core i9-13900KSScore: 95/100
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 SuperScore: 78/100

Limiting factor at this resolution

CPU Weight: 20%GPU Weight: 80%

Estimated AAA Game FPS

Based on gaming scores. Actual FPS varies by title.

performance

82

FPS

balanced

56

FPS

ultra

41

FPS

At 4K (Ultra HD), the NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super will hold back the Intel Core i9-13900KS by roughly 18-23% depending on the game. At 4K the GPU carries most of the workload, and your graphics card is the limiting factor. Upgrading your GPU would provide the biggest performance improvement at this resolution.

Will it run the games you play?

Pick your games for an estimated FPS at 1440p, high settings.

Valorant

517-699FPS

High-refresh

Counter-Strike 2

398-538FPS

High-refresh

Fortnite

Balanced settings, no Lumen

223-301FPS

High-refresh

Marvel Rivals

215-291FPS

High-refresh

Call of Duty: Warzone

119-161FPS

High-refresh

These are estimates, not benchmarks. Your actual frame rate depends on your exact settings, resolution scaling, drivers, and the scene on screen - treat these as a realistic ballpark at high settings, not a guarantee. Lower settings or upscaling (DLSS/FSR) push them higher; maxed-out ray tracing pushes them lower.

Buy the Intel Core i9-13900KS + NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super

Current pricing for this exact pairing - prices sync daily from live retail feeds, and each part links to both retailers so you can grab whichever is cheaper today:

Intel Core i9-13900KS

CPU · Score 95/100

Intel Core i9-13900KS

LGA1700 · 253W TDP

NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super

GPU · Score 78/100

NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super

12GB VRAM · 220W TDP

Recommended Upgrades

Cost per frame uses today's prices and the estimated AAA FPS gain at 1440p - lower is better value.

NVIDIA RTX 5080

GPU Upgrade · +~18 FPS · ~$73/frame

NVIDIA RTX 5080

Score: 93/100 · 16GB VRAM · 360W TDP

NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super

★ Best Value · GPU Upgrade · +~14 FPS · ~$67/frame

NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super

Score: 90/100 · 16GB VRAM · 320W TDP

NVIDIA RTX 4080

GPU Upgrade · +~12 FPS · ~$125/frame

NVIDIA RTX 4080

Score: 88/100 · 16GB VRAM · 320W TDP

Specs Comparison

SpecIntel Core i9-13900KSNVIDIA RTX 4070 Super
Gaming Score95/10078/100
Benchmark Score9676
TDP253W220W
Price$550$839
Socket / VRAMLGA170012GB
Release Year20232024

Finish the Build

You picked the Intel Core i9-13900KS + NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super - these tools answer the next two questions with this exact pairing already filled in:

Complete the Setup

Core's sorted with the Intel Core i9-13900KS + NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super. Here's the gear that actually changes how it feels to play:

Explore Related Pairings

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Intel Core i9-13900KS a bottleneck for the NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super?

The NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super is the limiting factor at 1440p (a bottleneck of roughly 13-18% depending on the game). The Intel Core i9-13900KS has more headroom than the GPU can use.

What resolution is best for the Intel Core i9-13900KS + NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super?

The Intel Core i9-13900KS and NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super are most balanced at 1080p with only a 10% bottleneck. At 1080p, bottleneck is 10%. At 1440p, it's 15%. At 4K, it's 20%.

Should I upgrade from the Intel Core i9-13900KS or NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super?

Upgrade the GPU. The NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super is the bottleneck. A faster GPU will give you the biggest performance improvement.

Try Different Components

Want to test other parts? Use our free bottleneck calculator to compare any CPU and GPU pair.