Core i9-13900F vs Core Ultra 7 265F

Intel

Core i9-13900F

24 Cores32 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2023
VS
Intel

Core Ultra 7 265F

20 Cores20 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2025

Core i9-13900F vs Core Ultra 7 265F Performance Spectrum

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 i9-13900F vs Core Ultra 7 265F 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 i9-13900F vs Core Ultra 7 265F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-13900F

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +6.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 265F.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 93.4 vs 133.2 PassMark/$ ($524 MSRP vs $369 MSRP).

Core Ultra 7 265F

2025

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $155 less on MSRP ($369 MSRP vs $524 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 42.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 133.2 vs 93.4 PassMark/$ ($369 MSRP vs $524 MSRP).
  • βœ…20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (25,459 vs 37,326).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-13900F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900F better than Core Ultra 7 265F?
Yes. Core i9-13900F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 46.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i9-13900F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.4% 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 i9-13900F is the stronger fit. You are getting 46.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-13900F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 7 265F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-13900F comes in 42.0% more expensive on MSRP at $524 MSRP versus $369 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 7 265F is also 42.7% better value on MSRP (133.2 vs 93.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1851 + DDR5 setup, Core Ultra 7 265F 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 7 265F 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 i9-13900F vs Core Ultra 7 265F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-13900F

The Core i9-13900F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023βˆ’2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 48,934 points. Launch price was $524.

Intel

Core Ultra 7 265F

The Core Ultra 7 265F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024βˆ’2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 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: 49,161 points. Launch price was $379.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i9-13900F packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 265F offers 20 cores / 20 threads β€” the Core i9-13900F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.5 GHz on the Core i9-13900F versus 5.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265F β€” a 3.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900F (base: 2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i9-13900F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023βˆ’2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 265F uses Arrow Lake-S (2024βˆ’2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900F scores 48,934 against the Core Ultra 7 265F's 49,161 β€” a 0.5% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 37,326 vs 25,459 (37.8% advantage for the Core i9-13900F). Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 2,801 vs 3,000, a 6.9% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 17,199 vs 20,000 (15.1% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265F). L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 265F.

FeatureCore i9-13900FCore Ultra 7 265F
Cores / Threads
24 / 32+20%
20 / 20
Boost Clock
5.5 GHz+4%
5.3 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.4 GHz+20%
L3 Cache
36 MB (total)+20%
30 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
3 MB (per core)+50%
Process
Intel 7 nm
3 nm-57%
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023βˆ’2024)
Arrow Lake-S (2024βˆ’2025)
PassMark
48,934
49,161
Cinebench R23 Multi
37,326+47%
25,459
Geekbench 6 Single
2,801
3,000+7%
Geekbench 6 Multi
17,199
20,000+16%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 265F uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-13900F versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 265F β€” the Core Ultra 7 265F supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 7 265F supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB β€” 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13900F) vs 24 (Core Ultra 7 265F) β€” the Core Ultra 7 265F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1700 (Core i9-13900F) and Z890,B860,H810 (Core Ultra 7 265F).

FeatureCore i9-13900FCore Ultra 7 265F
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1851
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600
DDR5-6400+14%
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
256 GB+33%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 7 265F has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-13900F supports AVX-512 instructions β€” important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 265F targets High Performance Gaming.

FeatureCore i9-13900FCore Ultra 7 265F
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
β€”
None
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
β€”
High Performance Gaming
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-13900F was priced at $524, while the Core Ultra 7 265F came in at $369. On launch pricing ($524 vs $369), Core Ultra 7 265F was $155 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900F delivers 93.4 pts/$ vs 133.2 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 265F β€” making the Core Ultra 7 265F the 35.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-13900FCore Ultra 7 265F
MSRP
$524
$369-30%
Performance per Dollar
93.4
133.2+43%
Release Date
2023
2025

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