Core i9-13900F vs Core Ultra 7 265HX

Intel

Core i9-13900F

24 Cores32 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2023
Core family
·······
VS
Intel

Core Ultra 7 265HX

20 Cores20 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2025

Core i9-13900F vs Core Ultra 7 265HX 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 265HX 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 265HX: 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

  • Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 265HX.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (17,199 vs 17,417).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 93.4 vs 108.8 PassMark/$ ($524 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
  • 18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 265HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 7 265HX

2025

Why buy it

  • +1.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • Costs $74 less on MSRP ($450 MSRP vs $524 MSRP).
  • Delivers 16.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.8 vs 93.4 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $524 MSRP).
  • Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, while Core i9-13900F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-13900F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 265HX better than Core i9-13900F?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-13900F is ahead with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 265HX pulls ahead with 1.3% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i9-13900F also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 265HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 20 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 7 265HX is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 7 265HX comes in $74 cheaper on MSRP at $450 MSRP versus $524 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i9-13900F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 16.5% better value on MSRP (108.8 vs 93.4 PassMark/$), 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 7 265HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 20 threads instead of 24/32. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-13900F vs Core Ultra 7 265HX 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 (2023−2024) 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 265HX

The Core Ultra 7 265HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 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: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 48,975 points. Launch price was $500.

Processing Power

The Core i9-13900F packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 265HX offers 20 cores / 20 threads — 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 265HX — a 3.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900F (base: 2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i9-13900F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 265HX uses Arrow Lake-HX (2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900F scores 48,934 against the Core Ultra 7 265HX's 48,975 — a 0.1% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,801 vs 2,990, a 6.5% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 17,199 vs 17,417 (1.3% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265HX). L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900F vs 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 265HX.

FeatureCore i9-13900FCore Ultra 7 265HX
Cores / Threads
24 / 32+20%
20 / 20
Boost Clock
5.5 GHz+4%
5.3 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.6 GHz+30%
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 (2023−2024)
Arrow Lake-HX (2025)
PassMark
48,934
48,975
Cinebench R23 Multi
37,326
Geekbench 6 Single
2,801
2,990+7%
Geekbench 6 Multi
17,199
17,417+1%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 265HX uses FCBGA2114 (PCIe 5.0) — 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 265HX — the Core Ultra 7 265HX 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. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: LGA1700 (Core i9-13900F) and WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 7 265HX).

FeatureCore i9-13900FCore Ultra 7 265HX
Socket
LGA1700
FCBGA2114
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600
DDR5-6400+14%
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
192 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 7 265HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core Ultra 7 265HX includes integrated graphics (Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU), while the Core i9-13900F requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i9-13900FCore Ultra 7 265HX
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-13900F was priced at $524, while the Core Ultra 7 265HX came in at $450. On launch pricing ($524 vs $450), Core Ultra 7 265HX was $74 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900F delivers 93.4 pts/$ vs 108.8 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 265HX — making the Core Ultra 7 265HX the 15.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-13900FCore Ultra 7 265HX
MSRP
$524
$450-14%
Performance per Dollar
93.4
108.8+16%
Release Date
2023
2025

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