Core i9-13905H vs Core Ultra 9 185H

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 i9-13905H vs Core Ultra 9 185H 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 i9-13905H vs Core Ultra 9 185H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-13905H

2023

Why buy it

✅+7.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 9 185H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core Ultra 9 185H.

Core Ultra 9 185H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅133.3% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i9-13905H.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,030 vs 19,384).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13905H better than Core Ultra 9 185H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 9 185H is ahead with a 13.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13905H pulls ahead with 7.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13905H is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-13905H still makes the most sense overall. Core i9-13905H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 7.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 9 185H is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i9-13905H vs Core Ultra 9 185H Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-13905H

The Core i9-13905H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1792. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 29,807 points. Launch price was $697.

Core Ultra 9 185H

The Core Ultra 9 185H 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 16 cores and 22 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 29,360 points. Launch price was $640.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-13905H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 185H offers 16 cores / 22 threads — the Core Ultra 9 185H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13905H versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 185H — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13905H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i9-13905H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 9 185H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13905H scores 29,807 against the Core Ultra 9 185H's 29,360 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i9-13905H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 19,384 vs 18,030 (7.2% advantage for the Core i9-13905H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,300 vs 2,700, a 16% lead for the Core Ultra 9 185H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,000 vs 17,000 (19.4% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 185H). Both processors carry 24 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i9-13905H	Core Ultra 9 185H
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	16 / 22+14%
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+6%	5.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.9 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	Meteor Lake-H (2023)
PassMark	29,807+2%	29,360
Cinebench R23 Multi	19,384+8%	18,030
Geekbench 6 Single	2,300	2,700+17%
Geekbench 6 Multi	14,000	17,000+21%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13905H uses the FCBGA1792 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 9 185H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200 on the Core i9-13905H versus LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600 on the Core Ultra 9 185H — the Core Ultra 9 185H supports 43.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 9 185H supports up to 96 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i9-13905H) vs 28 (Core Ultra 9 185H) — the Core Ultra 9 185H offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: WM790,HM770 (Core i9-13905H) and Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 9 185H).

Feature	Core i9-13905H	Core Ultra 9 185H
Socket	FCBGA1792	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200	LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600+44%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	96 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	28+133%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13905H) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 9 185H). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe 96EU (Core i9-13905H) and Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores) (Core Ultra 9 185H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13905H targets Workstation, Core Ultra 9 185H targets Mainstream Performance / AI Workloads. Direct competitor: Core i9-13905H rivals Ryzen 9 7940HS; Core Ultra 9 185H rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS.

Feature	Core i9-13905H	Core Ultra 9 185H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Xe 96EU	Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Workstation	Mainstream Performance / AI Workloads