Intel Core i5-13400 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 288V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The direct comparison between the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V and the Intel Core i5-13400 reveals a clear split: the desktop processor dominates in multi-threaded throughput, while the mobile chip wins decisively in single-threaded and specialized workloads. Across the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the Core i5-13400 secures 10 wins, while the Core Ultra 9 288V takes 7.

The largest victory for the Core i5-13400 comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 77,721 against 44,019 for the Core Ultra 9, a 43.4% advantage. This is a massive gap, indicating the desktop chip's strength in basic arithmetic-heavy tasks. The Core i5 also leads substantially in data compression, scoring 301,481 versus 186,521, a 38.1% delta, and in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it posts 15,953 points compared to 10,178 for the Ultra 9, a 36.2% difference. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar trend, with the Core i5 at 2,358 versus 1,583, a 32.9% lead.

Other multi-threaded wins for the Core i5 include PassMark multi-thread (23,719 vs. 19,810, 16.5% ahead), Cinebench R20 multi-core (8,526 vs. 7,069, 17.1% ahead), PassMark random string sorting (30,851 vs. 22,622, 26.7% ahead), PassMark extended instructions (19,161 vs. 15,613, 18.5% ahead), and PassMark data encryption (15,880 vs. 14,141, 11% ahead). These results consistently show the Core i5's advantage when all cores are engaged.

The Core Ultra 9 288V, however, delivers the single most dramatic win of the entire comparison. In PassMark find prime numbers, it scores 195 against just 74 for the Core i5, a staggering 163.5% advantage. This indicates a fundamentally different approach to this workload. The Ultra 9 also wins PassMark single-thread with 4,274 points versus 3,538 for the Core i5, a 20.8% lead, and this result is duplicated in the single thread test. Cinebench R15 single-core goes to the Ultra 9 at 301.5 versus 257, a 17.3% margin, while Cinebench R23 single-core shows a narrower win at 1,950 versus 1,786, or 9.2%. PassMark physics also favors the Ultra 9, scoring 1,637 against 1,244, a 31.6% advantage. Finally, PassMark floating point math is essentially a tie, with the Ultra 9 at 59,536 and the Core i5 at 58,786, a 1.3% difference that still goes to the mobile chip.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear picture of workload suitability. The Core i5-13400 is the clear choice for heavily parallelized, multi-threaded applications. Its wins in Cinebench R20 and R23 multi-core, PassMark multi-thread, integer math, data compression, and random string sorting all point to strengths in rendering, video encoding, database operations, and general productivity tasks that can utilize 16 threads. The 36.2% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core is particularly telling for 3D rendering workloads.

The Core Ultra 9 288V, by contrast, excels in single-threaded performance and specific algorithmic tasks. Its 20.8% lead in PassMark single-thread and 17.3% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core indicate superior responsiveness in lightly-threaded applications, such as web browsing, office suites, and many legacy games. The 163.5% victory in PassMark find prime numbers suggests an architectural advantage in workloads involving prime number generation, which can be relevant for certain cryptography and mathematical computing tasks. The 31.6% win in PassMark physics points to better performance in physics simulation, a common component in scientific computing and some game engines.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Core Ultra 9 288V is built on Lunar Lake architecture using a 3 nm process from TSMC, while the Core i5-13400 uses Raptor Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process. This process difference is a major factor in the power and efficiency profile of each chip.

The Core Ultra 9 288V is a mobile processor with 8 cores and 8 threads, a 1:1 core-to-thread ratio. It has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports LPDDR5X memory in a dual-channel configuration, delivering 136.5 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The chip uses an Intel BGA 2833 socket and has a 30 W TDP. It features integrated Arc 140V graphics and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU. It does not support ECC memory and its multiplier is locked.

The Core i5-13400 is a desktop processor with 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating a hybrid architecture with performance and efficiency cores. Its base clock is 2.50 GHz with a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Cache configuration includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 20 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, though the database does not record a specific memory bandwidth figure. The chip uses Intel Socket 1700 and has a 65 W TDP. It features integrated UHD Graphics 730 and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. It does not support ECC memory and its multiplier is locked. The die size is recorded as 215 mm². The Core i5 also has a launch MSRP of $221, while the Core Ultra 9 has no launch MSRP recorded.

The Core Ultra 9's higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz versus 4.60 GHz for the Core i5 aligns with its single-thread benchmark wins. The Core i5's additional cores and threads, along with its larger 20 MB L3 cache, support its multi-threaded dominance. The Core Ultra 9's per-core L1 and L2 cache are larger, which may explain its advantage in prime number finding and single-thread tasks.

The Verdict

The data shows two distinct processors for different market segments. The Intel Core i5-13400 is the multi-threaded workhorse. Its 10 cores and 16 threads, combined with a 65 W TDP, make it a strong performer for desktop workloads that scale with core count. Its 36.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 43.4% lead in integer math are decisive for users prioritizing rendering, compilation, and heavy multitasking. The Core i5 also holds a slight edge in average benchmark score, posting 24,280 versus 23,219 for the Core Ultra 9, though both sit at the 76th percentile among all CPUs.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is the efficiency and single-thread champion. Its 30 W TDP is less than half that of the Core i5, yet it delivers superior single-thread performance, as shown by its 20.8% lead in PassMark single-thread. Its 163.5% advantage in find prime numbers suggests specialized capabilities that may be valuable in specific computing environments. The Ultra 9's smaller footprint and mobile socket make it suitable for compact and portable systems, while its Arc 140V integrated graphics offer a more capable GPU solution on paper compared to the UHD Graphics 730 in the Core i5.

For users building a desktop system where power consumption is less critical and multi-threaded performance is paramount, the Core i5-13400 is the data-backed choice. For users prioritizing single-thread speed, energy efficiency, and specific algorithmic workloads, particularly in a mobile form factor, the Core Ultra 9 288V is the logical pick. The decision is not about which is "better" overall, but which aligns with the intended workload and platform constraints.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 1,950, which is 9.2% higher than the Intel Core i5-13400's 1,786.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V scores 195, a 163.5% advantage over the Intel Core i5-13400's score of 74.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-13400 have more cores and threads than the Core Ultra 9 288V?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-13400 has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth compare between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s using LPDDR5X memory. The database does not list a memory bandwidth figure for the Intel Core i5-13400, which supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, which is larger than the 12 MB of shared L3 cache on the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has an average benchmark score of 23,219, while the Intel Core i5-13400 has an average benchmark score of 24,280. Both processors rank at the 76th percentile among all CPUs.