Core Ultra 5 235H vs Core i5-13600K
Core Ultra 5 235H
Core i5-13600K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 235H
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-13600K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Ultra 5 235H | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($319) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-H (2025) / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Ultra 5 235H | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($319) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 235H and Core i5-13600K
Core Ultra 5 235H
The Core Ultra 5 235H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 MB + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 29,820 points. Launch price was $354.
Core i5-13600K
The Core i5-13600K 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 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. 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: 37,655 points. Launch price was $319.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 5 235H packs 14 cores / 14 threads, matching the Core i5-13600K's 14 cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235H versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 4.4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 235H uses the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the Core i5-13600K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 235H scores 29,820 against the Core i5-13600K's 37,655 — a 23.2% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 18 MB on the Core Ultra 5 235H vs 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 235H | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 14 | 14 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz | 5.1 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 4.4 GHz+26% | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB | 24 MB+33% |
| L2 Cache | — | 2 MB (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-29% | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Arrow Lake-H (2025) | Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) |
| PassMark | 29,820 | 37,655+26% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 17,607 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,693 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 14,040 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 5 235H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-13600K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core Ultra 5 235H) vs 20 (Core i5-13600K) — the Core Ultra 5 235H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 5 235H) and Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K).
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 235H | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2049 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-5600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 192 GB | 192 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 28+40% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 5 235H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Arc 140T Graphics (Core Ultra 5 235H) and UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 235H targets Thin-and-light Performance Laptop, Core i5-13600K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 235H rivals Ryzen 7 9800H.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 235H | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel Arc 140T Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Thin-and-light Performance Laptop | Desktop |
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