Core i5-13400F vs Core Ultra 5 225H

Intel

Core i5-13400F

10 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core Ultra 5 225H

14 Cores14 Thrd20 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025
Core Ultra family
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Core i5-13400F vs Core Ultra 5 225H Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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.

Core i5-13400F vs Core Ultra 5 225H FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-13400F vs Core Ultra 5 225H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

  • +11.6% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 225H.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $196 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 225H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 225% higher power demand at 65W vs 20W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 225H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 5 225H

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +24.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 20W instead of 65W, a 45W reduction.
  • 40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc 130T GPU, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (14,526 vs 16,211).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225H better than Core i5-13400F?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 225H is ahead with a 24.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13400F pulls ahead with 11.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 11.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 5 225H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 5 225H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it still gives you a 24.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-13400F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 11.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-13400F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 5 225H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400F vs Core Ultra 5 225H Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i5-13400F

The Core i5-13400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 25,029 points. Launch price was $196.

Intel

Core Ultra 5 225H

The Core Ultra 5 225H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 MB + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 28,802 points. Launch price was $385.

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225H offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225H — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 225H uses Arrow Lake-H (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core Ultra 5 225H's 28,802 — a 14% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,211 vs 14,526 (11% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 2,678, a 10.7% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 12,337 (7.8% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 18 MB on the Core Ultra 5 225H.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore Ultra 5 225H
Cores / Threads
10 / 16
14 / 14+40%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
4.9 GHz+7%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
4.3 GHz+72%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)+11%
18 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
5 nm-29%
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Arrow Lake-H (2025)
PassMark
25,029
28,802+15%
Cinebench R23 Multi
16,211+12%
14,526
Geekbench 6 Single
2,407
2,678+11%
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,408
12,337+8%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225H — the Core Ultra 5 225H supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13400F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 28 (Core Ultra 5 225H) — the Core Ultra 5 225H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 5 225H).

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore Ultra 5 225H
Socket
LGA1700
FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB+50%
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
28+40%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 5 225H has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core Ultra 5 225H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 130T GPU), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Core Ultra 5 225H targets Professional Content Creation Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600; Core Ultra 5 225H rivals Ryzen 7 9800H.

FeatureCore i5-13400FCore Ultra 5 225H
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel Arc 130T GPU
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
Professional Content Creation Laptop