Core i9-13900HX vs Core Ultra 5 245K

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 i9-13900HX vs Core Ultra 5 245K 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 i9-13900HX vs Core Ultra 5 245K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-13900HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core Ultra 5 245K.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (42,437 vs 43,417).

Core Ultra 5 245K

2024

Why buy it

✅+2.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $319 MSRP, while Core i9-13900HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-13900HX.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 245K better than Core i9-13900HX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-13900HX is ahead with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 245K pulls ahead with 2.3% better PassMark. Core i9-13900HX also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 24 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 245K is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 245K is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 245K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $319 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 2.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-13900HX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (136.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 245K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 threads instead of 24/32. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-13900HX vs Core Ultra 5 245K Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-13900HX

The Core i9-13900HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 42,437 points. Launch price was $668.

Core Ultra 5 245K

The Core Ultra 5 245K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 43,417 points. Launch price was $319.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-13900HX packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245K offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the Core i9-13900HX has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13900HX versus 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245K — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900HX (base: 2.2 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i9-13900HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 245K uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900HX scores 42,437 against the Core Ultra 5 245K's 43,417 — a 2.3% lead for the Core Ultra 5 245K. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900HX vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 245K.

Feature	Core i9-13900HX	Core Ultra 5 245K
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+71%	14 / 14
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+4%	5.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	4.2 GHz+91%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)+50%	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)+50%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	42,437	43,417+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	29,493	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,878	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	14,944	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 245K uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-13900HX versus 6400 on the Core Ultra 5 245K — the Core Ultra 5 245K 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: HM770,WM790 (Core i9-13900HX) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 245K).

Feature	Core i9-13900HX	Core Ultra 5 245K
Socket	FCBGA1964	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200	6400+14%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-13900HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 245K). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900HX) and Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) (Core Ultra 5 245K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900HX targets Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-13900HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX; Core Ultra 5 245K rivals Ryzen 5 9600X.

Feature	Core i9-13900HX	Core Ultra 5 245K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores)
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation	—