PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-11500B

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.4% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $185 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 135U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 135U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 135U

2023

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11500B across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,900 vs 17,075).

Core i5-11500B

2021

Core Ultra 5 135U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.4% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $185 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 135U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 135U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11500B across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,900 vs 17,075).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500B better than Core Ultra 5 135U?

Yes. Core i5-11500B is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 9.4% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-11500B is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 9.4% more average FPS across 5 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500B is the better fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-11500B is the smarter buy today. Core i5-11500B is at an unclear MSRP at $185 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 9.4% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (92.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 135U is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-11500B Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 5 135U Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-11500B	Core Ultra 5 135U
1080p
low	187 FPS	181 FPS
medium	151 FPS	146 FPS
high	122 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	151 FPS	147 FPS
medium	119 FPS	117 FPS
high	96 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	78 FPS
4K
low	84 FPS	82 FPS
medium	72 FPS	71 FPS
high	58 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core i5-11500B Open Core Ultra 5 135U

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-11500B	Core Ultra 5 135U
1080p
low	394 FPS	198 FPS
medium	318 FPS	164 FPS
high	283 FPS	150 FPS
ultra	244 FPS	131 FPS
1440p
low	352 FPS	174 FPS
medium	288 FPS	148 FPS
high	263 FPS	138 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	119 FPS
4K
low	291 FPS	141 FPS
medium	243 FPS	124 FPS
high	223 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	101 FPS

Open Core i5-11500B Open Core Ultra 5 135U

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-11500B	Core Ultra 5 135U
1080p
low	427 FPS	422 FPS
medium	427 FPS	422 FPS
high	427 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	427 FPS	422 FPS
1440p
low	427 FPS	422 FPS
medium	427 FPS	422 FPS
high	427 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	422 FPS
4K
low	427 FPS	422 FPS
medium	366 FPS	384 FPS
high	320 FPS	334 FPS
ultra	252 FPS	266 FPS

Open Core i5-11500B Open Core Ultra 5 135U

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-11500B	Core Ultra 5 135U
1080p
low	427 FPS	422 FPS
medium	427 FPS	422 FPS
high	427 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	427 FPS	422 FPS
1440p
low	427 FPS	422 FPS
medium	427 FPS	422 FPS
high	427 FPS	422 FPS
ultra	427 FPS	422 FPS
4K
low	427 FPS	422 FPS
medium	427 FPS	422 FPS
high	427 FPS	419 FPS
ultra	422 FPS	367 FPS

Open Core i5-11500B Open Core Ultra 5 135U

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-11500B and Core Ultra 5 135U

Core i5-11500B

The Core i5-11500B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. L2 cache: 7.5 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,075 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 5 135U

The Core Ultra 5 135U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,900 points. Launch price was $332.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-11500B packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 135U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 135U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500B versus 4.4 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 135U — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500B (base: 3.3 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i5-11500B uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 135U uses Meteor Lake-P (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500B scores 17,075 against the Core Ultra 5 135U's 16,900 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-11500B. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i5-11500B vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 135U.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Core Ultra 5 135U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 14+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+5%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+106%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	7.5 MB+275%	2 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	7 nm-30%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Meteor Lake-P (2023)
PassMark	17,075+1%	16,900
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,315
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,948
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500B uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 135U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500B versus DDR5-5600 on the Core Ultra 5 135U — the Core Ultra 5 135U supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-11500B supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB — 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Core Ultra 5 135U
Socket	FCBGA1787	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-5600+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+33%	96 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-11500B supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11500B) vs Yes (Core Ultra 5 135U). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 32EU (Core i5-11500B) and Intel Arc Graphics (Core Ultra 5 135U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500B targets Desktop / Mini PC.