Core i9-11980HK vs Core Ultra 5 135H

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 i9-11980HK vs Core Ultra 5 135H 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 i9-11980HK vs Core Ultra 5 135H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11980HK

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 32EUs, while Core Ultra 5 135H needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core Ultra 5 135H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 135H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 135H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 135H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,116 vs 22,244).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11980HK can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-11980HK.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11980HK better than Core Ultra 5 135H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 135H is ahead with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11980HK pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i9-11980HK also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11980HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core i9-11980HK still makes the most sense overall. Core i9-11980HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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

Core Ultra 5 135H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-11980HK vs Core Ultra 5 135H Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-11980HK

The Core i9-11980HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-HK (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,244 points. Launch price was $583.

Core Ultra 5 135H

The Core Ultra 5 135H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 14 cores and 18 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,116 points. Launch price was $342.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-11980HK packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 135H offers 14 cores / 18 threads — the Core Ultra 5 135H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-11980HK versus 4.6 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 135H — a 8.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-11980HK (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-11980HK uses the Tiger Lake-HK (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core Ultra 5 135H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11980HK scores 22,244 against the Core Ultra 5 135H's 22,116 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i9-11980HK. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11980HK vs 18 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 135H.

Feature	Core i9-11980HK	Core Ultra 5 135H
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	14 / 18+75%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+9%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+33%	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm SuperFin	7 nm-30%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-HK (2021)	Meteor Lake-H (2023)
PassMark	22,244	22,116
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,029	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,129	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,766	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11980HK uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 135H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-11980HK	Core Ultra 5 135H
Socket	FCBGA1787	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-11980HK) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 135H). The Core i9-11980HK includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 32EUs), while the Core Ultra 5 135H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-11980HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i9-11980HK rivals Ryzen 9 5900HX.