Intel Core i5-13450HX vs Intel Core i7-13800H Comparison

Both the Intel Core i7-13800H and the Intel Core i5-13450HX sit in the 84th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they are closely matched in overall performance. The i7-13800H records an average benchmark score of 34988, while the i5-13450HX scores 34333, a difference of less than 2%. Yet, the head-to-head results reveal a clear split: the i7 wins 10 of the 17 recorded tests, while the i5 takes 7. The deciding factor is workload type, as the two chips trade blows between single-threaded bursts, multi-core rendering, and specialized instruction sets.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic victory in the entire comparison belongs to the i7-13800H in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2591 against the i5-13450HX's 1746, a 48.4% lead. This is the largest delta in any test and indicates a substantial advantage in lightly threaded tasks. The i7 also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 5.2%, scoring 261 versus 248.

In multi-core workloads, the picture is mixed. The i5-13450HX wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by a wide margin, scoring 2503 versus 1850, a 26.1% advantage. It also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core by 11.7%, with scores of 8728 and 7710 respectively. However, the i7-13800H flips the script in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 18358 against 16797, a 9.3% win. This inconsistency suggests the i5's higher 55W TDP and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes allow it to sustain heavy loads in some rendering scenarios, while the i7's 14 cores and 20 threads give it an edge in others.

The PassMark suite shows the i7-13800H dominating most compute-heavy tests. It wins integer math by 11.3% (92589 vs 83209), floating-point math by 7.8% (66579 vs 61776), and physics by 27.9% (1924 vs 1504). The i7 also leads in prime number finding by 38.6% (115 vs 83) and data encryption by 6.6% (17726 vs 16632). Multi-threaded PassMark goes to the i7 with a 5.8% margin (26545 vs 25084), as does random string sorting by 3.9% (33188 vs 31940).

The i5-13450HX counters with wins in data compression (305990 vs 299179, a 2.2% edge), extended instructions (19083 vs 18011, a 5.6% edge), and single-threaded PassMark (3553 vs 3543, a negligible 0.3% edge). Its Cinebench R20 single-core win is more meaningful: 1232 versus 1088, an 11.7% advantage. This means the i5 is no slouch in single-threaded office or browser workloads, even if the i7 has a commanding lead in the latest R23 single-core test.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are built on Intel's 10 nm process with a 257 mm² die size, and both use the Raptor Lake architecture. The key differences lie in their configurations. The i7-13800H is a Raptor Lake-H part with 14 cores and 20 threads, while the i5-13450HX is a Raptor Lake-HX part with 10 cores and 16 threads. The i7 has a higher base clock (2.50 GHz vs 2.40 GHz) and a significantly higher boost clock (5.20 GHz vs 4.60 GHz).

The i7 also has a larger shared L3 cache at 24 MB, compared to the i5's 20 MB. Both share the same L1 (80 KB per core) and L2 (2 MB per core) cache structure. The i7 is a locked multiplier part, while the i5 is multiplier unlocked, meaning the i5 supports overclocking. Socket types differ: the i7 uses Intel BGA 1744, and the i5 uses Intel BGA 1964.

Memory support is identical on paper, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. However, the i5-13450HX supports ECC memory, while the i7 does not. PCIe connectivity is another major split: the i7 offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i5 offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This gives the i5 more headroom for discrete GPUs and NVMe storage. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i7 carries Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the i5 has the more basic UHD Graphics 710.

Both chips launched on the same date and carry the same 45W TDP in the i7 versus 55W in the i5. The i7 has a launch MSRP of $457, and the i5 has a launch MSRP of $326. Both are active production parts for mobile systems.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-13800H is the clear choice for workloads that rely on raw single-core speed and dense compute. Its 48.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, 38.6% lead in prime number finding, and 27.9% lead in physics make it superior for scientific simulations, financial modeling, or any code that is poorly parallelized. It also wins integer and floating-point math by double-digit margins, which benefits engineering software and machine learning inference. The 5.8% multi-thread PassMark win and 9.3% Cinebench R23 multi-core win show it can hold its own in all-core workloads too, despite the i5's wins in older R15 and R20 tests.

The i5-13450HX wins in specific scenarios that favor sustained throughput on fewer cores. Its 26.1% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 11.7% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core indicate it handles legacy rendering engines exceptionally well. The 5.6% win in extended instructions (AVX-512 or similar) and 2.2% win in data compression make it suitable for codecs, compression tools, and database workloads. Its 0.3% edge in single-threaded PassMark is negligible, but the 11.7% Cinebench R20 single-core win is not, pointing to better performance in certain single-threaded legacy apps. The 20 PCIe lanes and ECC support make it more versatile for workstation-style laptops with dedicated accelerators or large memory arrays.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Core i7-13800H is the better all-rounder for most users. It wins 10 of 17 head-to-head tests, including the most important modern benchmark (Cinebench R23 single-core and multi-core), and holds a 1.9% higher average benchmark score (34988 vs 34333). Its 48.4% single-core lead in R23 is decisive for any application that runs on one or two threads, and its wins in math and physics cover a broad range of compute tasks. The 45W TDP is lower than the i5's 55W, which is an advantage for battery life in mobile systems. The i7 also includes superior integrated graphics (Iris Xe 96EU), which matters for laptops without a discrete GPU.

The Intel Core i5-13450HX is for a niche: users who need ECC memory support, overclocking capability (unlocked multiplier), or more PCIe Gen 5 lanes for connecting multiple high-speed devices. Its wins in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core suggest it performs better in older software, and its 20 PCIe lanes make it a stronger candidate for a mobile workstation with an external GPU or multiple NVMe drives. The 11.7% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core is also notable for specific legacy apps. However, its lower core count (10 vs 14) and lower boost clock (4.60 GHz vs 5.20 GHz) hold it back in modern, well-threaded software.

Choose the i7-13800H if you prioritize raw speed, modern rendering, and integrated graphics. Choose the i5-13450HX if you need ECC, overclocking, or more PCIe lanes and can tolerate its 55W TDP. The 38.6% gap in prime number finding and 27.9% gap in physics are too large to ignore for scientific users, but the i5's 26.1% lead in R15 multi-core and 5.6% lead in extended instructions are equally valid for compression-heavy workflows.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-13800H is far faster, scoring 2591 versus 1746, a 48.4% lead.

Q: Does the i5-13450HX beat the i7-13800H in any multi-core test?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 26.1% (2503 vs 1850) and Cinebench R20 multi-core by 11.7% (8728 vs 7710).

Q: Can the i5-13450HX be overclocked?

A: Yes, the i5-13450HX has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-13800H is locked.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-13450HX supports ECC memory. The i7-13800H does not.

Q: What is the difference in PCIe lanes?

A: The i7-13800H provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes, while the i5-13450HX provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-13800H averages 34988, and the i5-13450HX averages 34333. Both sit in the 84th percentile of all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-13800H | Intel Core i5-13450HX |

|----------------|----------------------|----------------------|

| Cores | 14 | 10 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | UHD Graphics 710 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $457 | $326 |