Core i9-13950HX vs Core Ultra 7 265T

Intel

Core i9-13950HX

24 Cores32 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core Ultra 7 265T

20 Cores20 Thrd35 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2025
Core Ultra family
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Core i9-13950HX vs Core Ultra 7 265T 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 i9-13950HX vs Core Ultra 7 265T 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 i9-13950HX vs Core Ultra 7 265T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-13950HX

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 69.5 vs 105.9 PassMark/$ ($590 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
  • 57.1% higher power demand at 55W vs 35W.

Core Ultra 7 265T

2025

Why buy it

  • Costs $206 less on MSRP ($384 MSRP vs $590 MSRP).
  • Delivers 52.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 105.9 vs 69.5 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $590 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 55W, a 20W reduction.
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13950HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (40,681 vs 41,012).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13950HX better than Core Ultra 7 265T?
Yes. Core i9-13950HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i9-13950HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13950HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-13950HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 7 265T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-13950HX comes in 53.6% more expensive on MSRP at $590 MSRP versus $384 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 7 265T is also 52.4% better value on MSRP (105.9 vs 69.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 7 265T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-13950HX vs Core Ultra 7 265T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-13950HX

The Core i9-13950HX 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 5.5 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: 41,012 points. Launch price was $590.

Intel

Core Ultra 7 265T

The Core Ultra 7 265T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 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: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 40,681 points. Launch price was $384.

Processing Power

The Core i9-13950HX packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 265T offers 20 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-13950HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.5 GHz on the Core i9-13950HX versus 5.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265T — a 3.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13950HX (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i9-13950HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 265T uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13950HX scores 41,012 against the Core Ultra 7 265T's 40,681 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i9-13950HX. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13950HX vs 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 265T.

FeatureCore i9-13950HXCore Ultra 7 265T
Cores / Threads
24 / 32+20%
20 / 20
Boost Clock
5.5 GHz+4%
5.3 GHz
Base Clock
2.2 GHz+47%
1.5 GHz
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-HX (2023)
Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark
41,012
40,681
Cinebench R23 Multi
34,000
Geekbench 6 Single
2,954
Geekbench 6 Multi
16,455
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13950HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 265T uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 5600 on the Core i9-13950HX versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 265T — the Core Ultra 7 265T 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 i9-13950HX) vs 24 (Core Ultra 7 265T) — the Core Ultra 7 265T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Raptor Lake-HX (Core i9-13950HX) and Z890,H870,B860 (Core Ultra 7 265T).

FeatureCore i9-13950HXCore Ultra 7 265T
Socket
FCBGA1964
LGA1851
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
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

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-13950HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics (Core i9-13950HX) and Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG 4-core) (Core Ultra 7 265T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 265T targets High End Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i9-13950HX rivals M3 Max 16-Core.

FeatureCore i9-13950HXCore Ultra 7 265T
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics
Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG 4-core)
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
High End Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-13950HX was priced at $590, while the Core Ultra 7 265T came in at $384. On launch pricing ($590 vs $384), Core Ultra 7 265T was $206 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13950HX delivers 69.5 pts/$ vs 105.9 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 265T — making the Core Ultra 7 265T the 41.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-13950HXCore Ultra 7 265T
MSRP
$590
$384-35%
Performance per Dollar
69.5
105.9+52%
Release Date
2023
2025

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