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 i5-13600K

2022

Why buy it

✅+21.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255H across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌380.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 26W.

Core Ultra 7 255H

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 26W instead of 125W, a 99W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (30,932 vs 37,655).

Core i5-13600K

2022

Core Ultra 7 255H

2025

Why buy it

✅+21.7% higher PassMark.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 26W instead of 125W, a 99W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255H across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌380.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 26W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (30,932 vs 37,655).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255H better than Core i5-13600K?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 255H is ahead with a 9.6% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600K pulls ahead with 21.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600K is the better fit. You are getting 21.7% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 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 i5-13600K makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core Ultra 7 255H is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i5-13600K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 21.7% better PassMark. Core i5-13600K is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Core Ultra 7 255H is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). 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 i5-13600K Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 7 255H Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core Ultra 7 255H
1080p
low	281 FPS	309 FPS
medium	264 FPS	278 FPS
high	220 FPS	232 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	199 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	251 FPS
medium	198 FPS	201 FPS
high	158 FPS	163 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	143 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	173 FPS
medium	133 FPS	139 FPS
high	102 FPS	107 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	93 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core Ultra 7 255H

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core Ultra 7 255H
1080p
low	632 FPS	773 FPS
medium	533 FPS	637 FPS
high	450 FPS	521 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	460 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	715 FPS
medium	474 FPS	570 FPS
high	403 FPS	469 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	391 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	419 FPS
medium	282 FPS	342 FPS
high	269 FPS	316 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	271 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core Ultra 7 255H

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core Ultra 7 255H
1080p
low	663 FPS	773 FPS
medium	543 FPS	773 FPS
high	477 FPS	773 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	662 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	773 FPS
medium	499 FPS	735 FPS
high	434 FPS	635 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	544 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	642 FPS
medium	381 FPS	534 FPS
high	344 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	409 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core Ultra 7 255H

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core Ultra 7 255H
1080p
low	941 FPS	773 FPS
medium	941 FPS	773 FPS
high	923 FPS	773 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	773 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	773 FPS
medium	850 FPS	773 FPS
high	738 FPS	703 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	609 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	612 FPS
medium	588 FPS	540 FPS
high	529 FPS	489 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	427 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core Ultra 7 255H

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Core Ultra 7 255H

Core i5-13600K

The Core i5-13600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 37,655 points. Launch price was $319.

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 i5-13600K 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 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255H — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.5 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 255H uses Arrow Lake-H (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Core Ultra 7 255H's 30,932 — a 19.6% lead for the Core i5-13600K. Both processors carry 24 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core Ultra 7 255H
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	16 / 16+14%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz	5.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	4.4 GHz+26%
L3 Cache	24 MB	24 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Arrow Lake-H (2025)
PassMark	37,655+22%	30,932
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,800
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,700

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K 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. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 28 (Core Ultra 7 255H) — the Core Ultra 7 255H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255H).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core Ultra 7 255H
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	28+40%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-13600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) 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 i5-13600K targets Desktop, Core Ultra 7 255H targets High-End Laptop.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core Ultra 7 255H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Intel Arc Graphics 140T
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	High-End Laptop