Core i7-13790F vs Core Ultra 5 245KF

CPU

GPU

Core i7-13790F

16 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2023

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Core Ultra 5 245KF

14 Cores14 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2024

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Core i7-13790F vs Core Ultra 5 245KF Performance Spectrum

Core i7-13790F

16 / 24

43,549

+0.3%

43,424

0.0%

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 i7-13790F vs Core Ultra 5 245KF 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 i7-13790F vs Core Ultra 5 245KF: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-13790F

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+37.5% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 245KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 111.1 vs 147.7 PassMark/$ ($392 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 245KF can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 5 245KF

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $98 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 147.7 vs 111.1 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $392 MSRP).
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores), while Core i7-13790F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (43,424 vs 43,549).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 33 MB).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 245KF better than Core i7-13790F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 245KF is ahead with a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13790F pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i7-13790F also has the bigger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 24 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13790F is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Core Ultra 5 245KF is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 245KF comes in $98 cheaper on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $392 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-13790F is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 33.0% better value on MSRP (147.7 vs 111.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i7-13790F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

Core Ultra 5 245KF makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-13790F vs Core Ultra 5 245KF Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-13790F

The Core i7-13790F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 43,549 points. Launch price was $441.

Core Ultra 5 245KF

The Core Ultra 5 245KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 43,424 points. Launch price was $294.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13790F packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the Core i7-13790F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i7-13790F versus 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245KF — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.1 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i7-13790F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13790F scores 43,549 against the Core Ultra 5 245KF's 43,424 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-13790F. L3 cache: 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-13790F vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 245KF.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Core Ultra 5 245KF
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+14%	14 / 14
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz	5.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	33 MB (total)+38%	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)+50%
Process	10 nm	3 nm-70%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	43,549	43,424
Cinebench R23 Multi	26,247	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,815	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,673	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13790F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13790F versus 6400 on the Core Ultra 5 245KF — the Core Ultra 5 245KF supports 14.3% 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-13790F) vs 20 (Core Ultra 5 245KF) — the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760 (Core i7-13790F) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 245KF).

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Core Ultra 5 245KF
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	6400+14%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 5 245KF has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-13790F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core Ultra 5 245KF includes integrated graphics (Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores)), while the Core i7-13790F requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 245KF rivals Ryzen 5 9600X.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Core Ultra 5 245KF
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores)
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-13790F was priced at $392, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF came in at $294. On launch pricing ($392 vs $294), Core Ultra 5 245KF was $98 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13790F delivers 111.1 pts/$ vs 147.7 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 245KF — making the Core Ultra 5 245KF the 28.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-13790F	Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP	$392	$294-25%
Performance per Dollar	111.1	147.7+33%
Release Date	2023	2024

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