Core Ultra 9 185H vs Core i9-13905H
Core Ultra 9 185H
Core i9-13905H
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 9 185H
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-13905H
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Ultra 9 185H | Core i9-13905H |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Meteor Lake-H (2023) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Ultra 9 185H | Core i9-13905H |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 9 185H and Core i9-13905H
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.
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.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 9 185H packs 16 cores / 22 threads, while the Core i9-13905H offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core Ultra 9 185H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 185H versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13905H — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13905H (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 9 185H uses the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i9-13905H uses Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 9 185H scores 29,360 against the Core i9-13905H's 29,807 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i9-13905H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18,030 vs 19,384 (7.2% advantage for the Core i9-13905H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,700 vs 2,300, a 16% lead for the Core Ultra 9 185H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 17,000 vs 14,000 (19.4% advantage for the Core Ultra 9 185H). Both processors carry 24 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 185H | Core i9-13905H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 22+14% | 14 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz | 5.4 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 3.9 GHz+50% | 2.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB (total) | 24 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Meteor Lake-H (2023) | Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 29,360 | 29,807+2% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 18,030 | 19,384+8% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,700+17% | 2,300 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 17,000+21% | 14,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 9 185H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-13905H uses FCBGA1792 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core Ultra 9 185H supports up to 96 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core Ultra 9 185H) vs 12 (Core i9-13905H) — the Core Ultra 9 185H offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 9 185H) and WM790,HM770 (Core i9-13905H).
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 185H | Core i9-13905H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2049 | FCBGA1792 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600 | DDR5-5200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 96 GB+50% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 28+133% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 9 185H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13905H). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores) (Core Ultra 9 185H) and Iris Xe 96EU (Core i9-13905H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 9 185H targets Mainstream Performance / AI Workloads, Core i9-13905H targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 9 185H rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS; Core i9-13905H rivals Ryzen 9 7940HS.
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 185H | Core i9-13905H |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores) | Iris Xe 96EU |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mainstream Performance / AI Workloads | Workstation |
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