Core i5-13500 vs Core Ultra 7 255H

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 i5-13500 vs Core Ultra 7 255H 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 i5-13500 vs Core Ultra 7 255H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-13500

2023

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM1), unlike Core Ultra 7 255H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (12,160 vs 15,700).
❌Launch MSRP is still $242 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌150% higher power demand at 65W vs 26W.

Core Ultra 7 255H

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +26.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 26W instead of 65W, a 39W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-13500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255H better than Core i5-13500?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 255H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 26.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 29.1% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 255H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 26.9% 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 255H is the stronger fit. You are getting 29.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 255H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-13500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 7 255H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $242 MSRP, and it still gives you a 26.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-13500 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (128.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 255H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 16 threads instead of 14/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13500 vs Core Ultra 7 255H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-13500

The Core i5-13500 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 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: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,109 points. Launch price was $242.

Core Ultra 7 255H

The Core Ultra 7 255H 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 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 26 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 30,932 points. Launch price was $514.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13500 packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 255H offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Core Ultra 7 255H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-13500 versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255H — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i5-13500 uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 255H uses Arrow Lake-H (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500 scores 31,109 against the Core Ultra 7 255H's 30,932 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-13500. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,419 vs 2,800, a 14.6% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,160 vs 15,700 (25.4% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255H). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500 vs 24 MB on the Core Ultra 7 255H.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Core Ultra 7 255H
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	16 / 16+14%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5.1 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	4.4 GHz+76%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	24 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	31,109	30,932
Cinebench R23 Multi	20,924	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,419	2,800+16%
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,160	15,700+29%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 255H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-13500 versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 255H — the Core Ultra 7 255H supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13500 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 i5-13500) vs 28 (Core Ultra 7 255H) — the Core Ultra 7 255H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,Z690,B660 (Core i5-13500) and HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255H).

Feature	Core i5-13500	Core Ultra 7 255H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	28+40%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-13500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 255H). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13500) and Intel Arc Graphics 140T (Core Ultra 7 255H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13500 targets High-end Productivity / Gaming, Core Ultra 7 255H targets High-End Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13500 rivals Ryzen 7 7700.

Feature	Core i5-13500	Core Ultra 7 255H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel Arc Graphics 140T
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	High-end Productivity / Gaming	High-End Laptop