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 i9-13900E

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 155.3 PassMark/$ ($554 MSRP vs $257 MSRP).

Core Ultra 5 235

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $297 less on MSRP ($257 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅Delivers 112.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 155.3 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($257 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900E across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (13,000 vs 15,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).

Core i9-13900E

2023

Core Ultra 5 235

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.5% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).

Why buy it

✅Costs $297 less on MSRP ($257 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).
✅Delivers 112.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 155.3 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($257 MSRP vs $554 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 155.3 PassMark/$ ($554 MSRP vs $257 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900E across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (13,000 vs 15,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900E better than Core Ultra 5 235?

Yes. Core i9-13900E is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 14.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 15.4% better Geekbench multi-core, and 1.4% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-13900E is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 14.5% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13900E is the better fit. You are getting 15.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Core i9-13900E is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 5 235 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-13900E is 115.6% more expensive on MSRP at $554 MSRP versus $257 MSRP, and it gives you a 14.5% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 235 is also 112.6% better value on MSRP (155.3 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1851 + DDR5 setup, Core Ultra 5 235 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core Ultra 5 235 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023). 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 i9-13900E Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 5 235 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-13900E	Core Ultra 5 235
1080p
low	305 FPS	278 FPS
medium	288 FPS	263 FPS
high	234 FPS	222 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	189 FPS
1440p
low	268 FPS	230 FPS
medium	229 FPS	194 FPS
high	174 FPS	158 FPS
ultra	154 FPS	137 FPS
4K
low	184 FPS	152 FPS
medium	157 FPS	128 FPS
high	118 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	106 FPS	87 FPS

Open Core i9-13900E Open Core Ultra 5 235

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-13900E	Core Ultra 5 235
1080p
low	412 FPS	663 FPS
medium	360 FPS	562 FPS
high	293 FPS	467 FPS
ultra	257 FPS	427 FPS
1440p
low	350 FPS	574 FPS
medium	314 FPS	509 FPS
high	261 FPS	426 FPS
ultra	210 FPS	369 FPS
4K
low	197 FPS	342 FPS
medium	179 FPS	306 FPS
high	170 FPS	291 FPS
ultra	146 FPS	256 FPS

Open Core i9-13900E Open Core Ultra 5 235

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-13900E	Core Ultra 5 235
1080p
low	1012 FPS	839 FPS
medium	1012 FPS	681 FPS
high	977 FPS	610 FPS
ultra	838 FPS	522 FPS
1440p
low	991 FPS	727 FPS
medium	881 FPS	590 FPS
high	793 FPS	516 FPS
ultra	656 FPS	441 FPS
4K
low	599 FPS	504 FPS
medium	519 FPS	422 FPS
high	463 FPS	377 FPS
ultra	396 FPS	318 FPS

Open Core i9-13900E Open Core Ultra 5 235

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-13900E	Core Ultra 5 235
1080p
low	1012 FPS	989 FPS
medium	1012 FPS	891 FPS
high	935 FPS	778 FPS
ultra	810 FPS	699 FPS
1440p
low	1010 FPS	810 FPS
medium	881 FPS	717 FPS
high	761 FPS	624 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	548 FPS
4K
low	756 FPS	567 FPS
medium	662 FPS	512 FPS
high	578 FPS	459 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	404 FPS

Open Core i9-13900E Open Core Ultra 5 235

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-13900E and Core Ultra 5 235

Core i9-13900E

The Core i9-13900E 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 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 36 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: 40,476 points. Launch price was $499.

Core Ultra 5 235

The Core Ultra 5 235 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 39,924 points. Launch price was $257.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-13900E packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235 offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the Core i9-13900E has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-13900E versus 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235 — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900E (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i9-13900E uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 235 uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900E scores 40,476 against the Core Ultra 5 235's 39,924 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i9-13900E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,606 vs 2,600, a 0.2% lead for the Core i9-13900E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,000 vs 13,000 (14.3% advantage for the Core i9-13900E). L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900E vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 235.

Feature	Core i9-13900E	Core Ultra 5 235
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+71%	14 / 14
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+4%	5 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.4 GHz+89%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)+50%	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	40,476+1%	39,924
Geekbench 6 Single	2,606	2,600
Geekbench 6 Multi	15,000+15%	13,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 235 uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core Ultra 5 235 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: W680,Q670,Z790,H770 (Core i9-13900E) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 235).

Feature	Core i9-13900E	Core Ultra 5 235
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900E) and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU (Core Ultra 5 235) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900E targets Embedded, Core Ultra 5 235 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 235 rivals Ryzen 5 8600G.

Feature	Core i9-13900E	Core Ultra 5 235
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Embedded	Mainstream Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-13900E launched at $554 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 5 235 debuted at $257. On MSRP ($554 vs $257), the Core Ultra 5 235 is $297 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900E delivers 73.1 pts/$ vs 155.3 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 235 — making the Core Ultra 5 235 the 72.1% better value option.