Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core i9-13900H Comparison

The Intel Core i9-13900H and Intel Core 5 220H are both 45 W mobile processors built on Intel’s Raptor Lake architecture, but they target very different segments of the laptop market. The i9-13900H is a 14-core, 20-thread flagship from the Core 13th Gen lineup, while the Core 5 220H is a 12-core, 16-thread part from the newer Raptor Lake Refresh generation. Despite the generational gap, the data reveals that the older i9 holds a commanding lead across every single benchmark in the comparison, with win counts of 17 to 0 in the head-to-head results. This analysis explores the architectural differences, the specific benchmark deltas, and what those numbers mean for potential buyers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads. This gives the i9 a 2-core and 4-thread advantage.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The Core i9-13900H boosts up to 5.40 GHz, whereas the Core 5 220H boosts up to 4.90 GHz. The i9 holds a 0.50 GHz higher boost clock.

Q: How do their integrated graphics compare?

A: The Core i9-13900H features Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units (EU), while the Core 5 220H has Iris Xe Graphics with 80 EU. This suggests the i9 has a more capable integrated GPU.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Core i9-13900H has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 5 220H has 18 MB. The i9 provides 6 MB more L3 cache.

Q: In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, what is the performance gap?

A: The Core i9-13900H scores 17471, while the Core 5 220H scores 11198. The i9 is 56% ahead in this multi-threaded workload.

Q: Are both processors on the same socket and process node?

A: Yes, both use the Intel BGA 1744 socket and are fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process node.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Raptor Lake architecture and the Raptor Lake-H codename, yet they belong to different generations: the i9-13900H is from the Core 13th Gen, while the Core 5 220H is from the Raptor Lake Refresh. The most fundamental difference lies in the core counts. The i9-13900H packs 14 cores and 20 threads, whereas the Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads. This 2-core, 4-thread deficit directly impacts multi-threaded performance, as seen in the benchmark deltas.

Clock speeds further separate them. The Core i9-13900H has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Core 5 220H starts slightly higher at 2.70 GHz base but tops out at 4.90 GHz boost. The i9’s higher boost ceiling is a key factor in its single-thread advantage, although the Core 5’s higher base clock is notable.

Cache allocation also differs. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, and the L2 cache is also the same at 2 MB per core. The shared L3 cache, however, favors the i9 with 24 MB versus 18 MB on the Core 5. This 6 MB difference can reduce memory latency and improve performance in data-heavy workloads.

The integrated graphics are another point of divergence. The i9-13900H uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 EU, while the Core 5 220H uses the same branding but with 80 EU. Both support the same memory types (DDR4 and DDR5) over a dual-channel bus. The die size is listed for the i9 at 257 mm², but the Core 5’s die size is not provided in the data. Both parts share the same PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 8 Lanes, CPU only) and are built on the same 10 nm node at Intel’s foundry.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-13900H wins every head-to-head benchmark matchup, with a clean 17-0 record. If the priority is raw performance, particularly in multi-threaded workloads, the i9 is the clear choice. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result shows a 56% lead, which is massive for tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation. The i9 also leads in single-core tests, though by a smaller margin, as seen in the 6% delta in Cinebench R23 single-core.

The Core 5 220H, however, is not without merit. It is a newer part from the Raptor Lake Refresh, with a launch MSRP of $342, which is significantly lower than the i9’s $617 launch MSRP. That said, the performance gap is substantial across all tested metrics. The Core 5 220H’s higher base clock of 2.70 GHz does not translate into wins, as the i9’s higher boost clock and additional cores dominate.

For a user deciding between these two, the choice hinges on workload. If absolute performance is required, the i9-13900H is the only option that delivers. If the workload is lighter and the lower launch MSRP is a consideration, the Core 5 220H could suffice, but the data shows it is consistently slower in every category. There is no scenario in the benchmark data where the Core 5 220H outperforms the i9-13900H.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several key specifications. The core count differs: 14 cores for the i9-13900H versus 12 cores for the Core 5 220H. Thread counts also differ, with 20 on the i9 and 16 on the Core 5. Base clocks are 2.60 GHz for the i9 and 2.70 GHz for the Core 5, while boost clocks are 5.40 GHz and 4.90 GHz, respectively. The L3 cache is 24 MB on the i9 and 18 MB on the Core 5. Integrated graphics vary as well, with 96 EU on the i9 and 80 EU on the Core 5. The die size is listed at 257 mm² for the i9, but not available for the Core 5. The release dates differ, with the i9 launching in January 2023 and the Core 5 in December 2024. The launch MSRP is $617 for the i9 and $342 for the Core 5. The part numbers are SRMJ4 for the i9 and SRQ6SQ5MM for the Core 5. Both share the same socket, architecture, process node, memory support, PCIe configuration, and non-unlocked multiplier status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a one-sided picture. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9 scores 2666.5 against the Core 5’s 1835, a delta of 45.3%. The single-core R15 result is closer, 279 versus 262, a 6.5% lead for the i9. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap narrows in percentage terms but remains substantial: 9676 versus 7812, a 23.9% delta. Interestingly, the R20 single-core delta is also 23.9%, with the i9 at 1365 and the Core 5 at 1102. This is an anomaly compared to other single-core tests, where the i9’s lead is much smaller.

Cinebench R23 shows the largest multi-core gap: the i9 scores 17471, and the Core 5 scores 11198, a 56% delta. The R23 single-core test is much tighter, with the i9 at 1964.5 and the Core 5 at 1853, a 6% difference. In PassMark tests, the i9 leads consistently. Data compression shows 326425 versus 247921, a 31.7% delta. Data encryption is 18974 versus 15216, a 24.7% delta. Extended instructions (AVX, etc.) show 19330 versus 14642, a 32% delta. Prime number finding is 104 versus 82, a 26.8% delta. Floating point math is 69611 versus 51671, a 34.7% delta. Integer math is 97159 versus 73555, a 32.1% delta. The multithread PassMark score is 27673 versus 21884, a 26.5% delta. Physics is 1745 versus 1478, an 18.1% delta. Random string sorting is 35637 versus 28438, a 25.3% delta. Single-thread PassMark is 3754 versus 3405, a 10.2% delta.

The biggest wins for the i9 are in Cinebench R23 multi-core (56%), Cinebench R15 multi-core (45.3%), and PassMark floating point math (34.7%). The smallest wins are in Cinebench R23 single-core (6%) and Cinebench R15 single-core (6.5%). The i9 also holds a perfect record in the 3DMark benchmarks, though those are only listed for the i9 and not the Core 5, so they are excluded from the head-to-head comparison.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13900H wins in every benchmark category included in the head-to-head comparison. This includes multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench R23 multi-core, where its 56% lead is decisive for heavy rendering and encoding tasks. It also wins in single-threaded tasks like PassMark single-thread, though by a smaller 10.2% margin. Data-heavy workloads, such as compression and encryption, also favor the i9 with deltas between 24.7% and 31.7%. The i9’s 14 cores and 20 threads, combined with its 5.40 GHz boost clock, make it the superior choice for any compute-intensive application.

The Intel Core 5 220H has no benchmark wins in the data. Its higher base clock of 2.70 GHz does not translate into any performance advantage. In every test, it trails the i9 by a meaningful margin. The Core 5’s only advantages are its lower launch MSRP ($342 versus $617) and its newer release date (December 2024 versus January 2023). For users whose workloads are light, the Core 5 could be a functional option, but the data shows no scenario where it outperforms the i9. The i9-13900H is the unequivocal performance winner, with the Core 5 220H serving as a less capable, though more recent, alternative.