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 i9-13900K vs Core Ultra 9 285 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 i9-13900K vs Core Ultra 9 285: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-13900K

2022

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,985 vs 3,000).
❌
1.7% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$589 MSRP
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Core Ultra 9 285

2025

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($589 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 9 285 better than Core i9-13900K?

Yes. Core Ultra 9 285 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 9 285 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

There is no clear productivity winner in the data we have.

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

Core Ultra 9 285 is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 9 285 comes in $10 cheaper on MSRP at $589 MSRP versus $599 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.1% better value on MSRP (97.5 vs 97.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i9-13900K 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 9 285 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-13900K vs Core Ultra 9 285 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-13900K

The Core i9-13900K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 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): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 58,373 points. Launch price was $589.

Core Ultra 9 285

The Core Ultra 9 285 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2025 (recentemente). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 24 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 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: 57,442 points. Launch price was $579.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-13900K packs 24 cores / 32 threads, matching the Core Ultra 9 285's 24 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.7 GHz on the Core i9-13900K versus 5.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 285 — a 3.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900K (base: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i9-13900K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 9 285 uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900K scores 58,373 against the Core Ultra 9 285's 57,442 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i9-13900K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 40,000 vs 40,000 (0% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,985 vs 3,000, a 0.5% lead for the Core Ultra 9 285 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 19,967 vs 20,000 (0.2% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285). Both processors carry 36 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 9 285
Cores / Threads	24 / 32	24 / 24
Boost Clock	5.7 GHz+4%	5.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+20%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	36 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)+50%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	58,373+2%	57,442
Cinebench R23 Multi	40,000	40,000
Geekbench 6 Single	2,985	3,000
Geekbench 6 Multi	19,967	20,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 9 285 uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-13900K versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 9 285 — the Core Ultra 9 285 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. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13900K) vs 24 (Core Ultra 9 285) — the Core Ultra 9 285 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z790,Intel Z690 (Core i9-13900K) and Intel 800 Series (Core Ultra 9 285).

Feature	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 9 285
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1851
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	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-13900K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i9-13900K) vs Yes (Core Ultra 9 285). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900K) and Arc Graphics (Core Ultra 9 285) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900K targets Desktop, Core Ultra 9 285 targets High-End Gaming.

Feature	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 9 285
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Arc Graphics
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	Yes
Target Use	Desktop	High-End Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-13900K was priced at $599, while the Core Ultra 9 285 came in at $589. On launch pricing ($599 vs $589), Core Ultra 9 285 was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900K delivers 97.5 pts/$ vs 97.5 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 9 285 — making the Core Ultra 9 285 the 0.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 9 285
MSRP	$599	$589-2%
Performance per Dollar	97.5	97.5
Release Date	2022	2025

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