Core i9-13900TE vs Core Ultra 5 125H

Intel

Core i9-13900TE

24 Cores32 Thrd35 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core Ultra 5 125H

14 Cores18 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2023
Core Ultra family
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Core i9-13900TE vs Core Ultra 5 125H 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 i9-13900TE vs Core Ultra 5 125H 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 i9-13900TE vs Core Ultra 5 125H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-13900TE

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 770, while Core Ultra 5 125H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (20,602 vs 20,754).
  • Launch MSRP is still $554 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 125H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core Ultra 5 125H

2023

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900TE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 36 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13900TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900TE better than Core Ultra 5 125H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-13900TE is ahead with a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 125H pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i9-13900TE also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 125H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 18 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-13900TE is the better buy right now. Core i9-13900TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $554 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core Ultra 5 125H is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 125H is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i9-13900TE vs Core Ultra 5 125H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-13900TE

The Core i9-13900TE 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 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 20,602 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core Ultra 5 125H

The Core Ultra 5 125H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 14 cores and 18 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,754 points. Launch price was $375.

Processing Power

The Core i9-13900TE packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125H offers 14 cores / 18 threads — the Core i9-13900TE has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-13900TE versus 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125H — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900TE (base: 1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-13900TE uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 125H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900TE scores 20,602 against the Core Ultra 5 125H's 20,754 — a 0.7% lead for the Core Ultra 5 125H. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900TE vs 18 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 125H.

FeatureCore i9-13900TECore Ultra 5 125H
Cores / Threads
24 / 32+71%
14 / 18
Boost Clock
5 GHz+11%
4.5 GHz
Base Clock
1 GHz
3.6 GHz+260%
L3 Cache
36 MB (total)+100%
18 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
2 MB (per core)
Process
10 nm
7 nm-30%
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Meteor Lake-H (2023)
PassMark
20,602
20,754
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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900TE uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 125H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-13900TECore Ultra 5 125H
Socket
LGA1700
FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13900TE) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 125H). The Core i9-13900TE includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core Ultra 5 125H requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i9-13900TECore Ultra 5 125H
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d