Core i9-13900E vs Core Ultra 5 235HX

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 i9-13900E vs Core Ultra 5 235HX 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 i9-13900E vs Core Ultra 5 235HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-13900E

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $554 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 235HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Core Ultra 5 235HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (14,000 vs 15,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i9-13900E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 7.1% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.9% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-13900E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.7% 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 i9-13900E is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also has 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 the better buy right now. Core i9-13900E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $554 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core Ultra 5 235HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-13900E vs Core Ultra 5 235HX Technical Specifications

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

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 235HX

The Core Ultra 5 235HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 40,122 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-13900E packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235HX 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 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235HX — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900E (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i9-13900E uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses Arrow Lake-HX (2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900E scores 40,476 against the Core Ultra 5 235HX's 40,122 — a 0.9% 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 14,000 (6.9% 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 235HX.

Feature	Core i9-13900E	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+71%	14 / 14
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+2%	5.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.9 GHz+61%
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-HX (2025)
PassMark	40,476	40,122
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,677
Geekbench 6 Single	2,606	2,600
Geekbench 6 Multi	15,000+7%	14,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses FCBGA2114 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-13900E versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 235HX — the Core Ultra 5 235HX supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 235HX 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 i9-13900E) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 235HX) — the Core Ultra 5 235HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: W680,Q670,Z790,H770 (Core i9-13900E) and HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 5 235HX).

Feature	Core i9-13900E	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2114
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-6400+14%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 5 235HX 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 — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900E) and Intel Graphics (48EU) (Core Ultra 5 235HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900E targets Embedded, Core Ultra 5 235HX targets Laptop.

Feature	Core i9-13900E	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel Graphics (48EU)
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Embedded	Laptop