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 7 265HX 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 7 265HX: 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

✅Costs $254 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 108.8 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 265HX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 265HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (11,408 vs 17,417).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 265HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 7 265HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 108.8 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 265HX better than Core i5-13400F?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 265HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 52.7% better Geekbench multi-core, 95.7% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 265HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 265HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 52.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core Ultra 7 265HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 7 265HX comes in 129.6% more expensive on MSRP at $450 MSRP versus $196 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13400F is also 17.3% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 108.8 PassMark/$), 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 7 265HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023), 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 20 threads instead of 10/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13400F vs Core Ultra 7 265HX Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core Ultra 7 265HX

The Core Ultra 7 265HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 48,975 points. Launch price was $500.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 265HX offers 20 cores / 20 threads — the Core Ultra 7 265HX has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 5.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265HX — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265HX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 265HX uses Arrow Lake-HX (2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core Ultra 7 265HX's 48,975 — a 64.7% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 2,990, a 21.6% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 17,417 (41.7% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265HX). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 265HX.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core Ultra 7 265HX
Cores / Threads	10 / 16	20 / 20+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5.3 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)+140%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Arrow Lake-HX (2025)
PassMark	25,029	48,975+96%
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407	2,990+24%
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408	17,417+53%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 265HX uses FCBGA2114 (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 7 265HX — the Core Ultra 7 265HX supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 7 265HX).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core Ultra 7 265HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2114
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 7 265HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core Ultra 7 265HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core Ultra 7 265HX includes integrated graphics (Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core Ultra 7 265HX
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13400F was priced at $196, while the Core Ultra 7 265HX came in at $450. On launch pricing ($196 vs $450), Core i5-13400F was $254 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 108.8 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 265HX — making the Core i5-13400F the 16% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core Ultra 7 265HX
MSRP	$196-56%	$450
Performance per Dollar	127.7+17%	108.8
Release Date	2023	2025

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