Core i5-13420H vs Core Ultra 5 125U

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 i5-13420H vs Core Ultra 5 125U 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 i5-13420H vs Core Ultra 5 125U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13420H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core Ultra 5 125U

2023

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13420H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,152 vs 17,205).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13420H better than Core Ultra 5 125U?

Yes. Core i5-13420H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13420H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.5% 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 i5-13420H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-13420H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-13420H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core Ultra 5 125U is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-13420H vs Core Ultra 5 125U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-13420H

The Core i5-13420H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 17,205 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 5 125U

The Core Ultra 5 125U 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 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 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: 17,152 points. Launch price was $363.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13420H packs 8 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13420H versus 4.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125U — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-13420H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i5-13420H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 125U uses Meteor Lake-P (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13420H scores 17,205 against the Core Ultra 5 125U's 17,152 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-13420H. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-13420H	Core Ultra 5 125U
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	12 / 14+50%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+7%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+62%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	Meteor Lake-P (2023)
PassMark	17,205	17,152

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13420H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 125U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.