Intel Core i5-13450HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H and Intel Core i5-13450HX are both mobile processors that land in the same performance tier, with average benchmark scores of 34485 and 34333 respectively. The data shows a razor-thin overall margin of 0.4% in favor of the newer Ultra 5 336H, yet the two chips achieve this parity through very different architectural approaches and deliver starkly contrasting results across individual workloads. This comparison pits a 16-core Panther Lake processor built on a 3 nm node against a 10-core Raptor Lake-HX part on a 10 nm node, with the former carrying a 25 W TDP and the latter a 55 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single-core results are the most decisive territory for the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 5 posts a score of 3387 against 1746 for the i5-13450HX, a massive 94% advantage. The margin is nearly as large in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Ultra 5 scores 341 versus 248, a 37.5% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 15.4% gap, with the Ultra 5 at 1422 and the i5 at 1232. PassMark single-thread results reinforce the pattern, with the Ultra 5 scoring 4013 compared to 3553 for the i5-13450HX, a 12.9% difference.

Multi-core performance tells a more varied story. The Ultra 5 336H wins big in Cinebench R23 multicore, scoring 23991 against 16797 for the i5-13450HX — a 42.8% improvement. Cinebench R20 multicore also favors the Ultra 5, with scores of 10076 versus 8728, a 15.4% lead. However, in Cinebench R15 multicore, the older i5-13450HX strikes back with a score of 2503 versus 2418, a 3.4% win. The PassMark multithread test shows the Ultra 5 ahead at 28545 versus 25084, a 13.8% margin.

Specialized workloads split the field sharply. The i5-13450HX dominates integer math, scoring 83209 against 62070 for the Ultra 5, a 25.4% advantage. It also wins in data compression with a score of 305990 versus 280340, an 8.4% edge. The Ultra 5 336H counters with a 260.2% blowout in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 299 versus just 83. Other wins for the Ultra 5 include floating point math (82415 versus 61776, a 33.4% lead), data encryption (21291 versus 16632, up 28%), and extended instructions (24542 versus 19083, a 28.6% gain). The Ultra 5 also wins PassMark physics with a 78.3% margin (2682 versus 1504) and random string sorting by 7.7% (34402 versus 31940). Overall, the head-to-head tally shows 14 wins for the Ultra 5 336H and 3 for the i5-13450HX.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear but nuanced verdict. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H is the superior processor for single-threaded performance, rendering, and physics-based tasks, winning 14 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3387 is nearly double that of the i5-13450HX, making it the obvious choice for lightly-threaded applications and tasks that depend on per-core speed. The 42.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore further solidifies its position for content creation workloads.

The Intel Core i5-13450HX, however, retains a clear niche. Its 25.4% advantage in integer math and 8.4% lead in data compression show that certain compute-heavy, integer-oriented workloads still favor the older Raptor Lake design. With an average benchmark score of 34333, it sits just 0.4% behind the Ultra 5 336H, meaning the overall performance difference between the two is negligible in aggregate. The i5-13450HX also offers ECC memory support and an unlocked multiplier, features absent from the Ultra 5.

For most users, the Ultra 5 336H is the better buy based on raw performance data. The i5-13450HX is the pick only for those specifically prioritizing integer throughput, data compression, or the flexibility of overclocking and ECC memory. The 84th percentile ranking for both chips against all CPUs confirms they compete in the same high-performance tier, but the Ultra 5's sweeping benchmark wins give it the edge in a general-purpose comparison.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins decisively in single-core and mixed workloads. Its 94% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 37.5% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core make it the stronger choice for everyday responsiveness, office productivity, and any software that scales poorly across cores. The 13.8% PassMark multithread win and 33.4% floating point advantage extend its reach to scientific computing and 3D rendering. Physics simulation is a particular strength, with a 78.3% margin over the i5-13450HX.

The Intel Core i5-13450HX wins in two specific computational areas. Its 25.4% lead in integer math suggests better performance in certain database, financial, or compression algorithms that rely on integer arithmetic. The 8.4% win in data compression is directly useful for archiving tools, file transfers, and backup software. Its 3.4% victory in Cinebench R15 multicore, while narrow, shows that in some legacy multi-threaded tests the older chip can still edge ahead.

For a laptop buyer, the choice depends on the primary use case. The Ultra 5 336H suits developers, creators, and gamers who need strong single-thread speed and balanced multi-core performance. The i5-13450HX appeals to users running integer-heavy enterprise applications or those who need ECC memory for data integrity. The Ultra 5's 25 W TDP also suggests better battery efficiency in mobile systems, though the i5-13450HX's 55 W TDP indicates headroom for sustained performance in thicker laptops.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins all single-core benchmarks. It scores 3387 in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 94% lead over the i5-13450HX's 1746, and 4013 in PassMark single-thread versus 3553.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core rendering?

A: The Ultra 5 336H leads in Cinebench R23 multicore with 23991 against 16797, a 42.8% advantage. However, the i5-13450HX wins Cinebench R15 multicore with 2503 versus 2418, a 3.4% margin.

Q: Which processor is better for integer-heavy workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-13450HX is significantly better in integer math, scoring 83209 in PassMark integer math versus 62070 for the Ultra 5, a 25.4% advantage.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Ultra 5 336H has an average benchmark score of 34485, while the i5-13450HX scores 34333. The difference is 0.4% in favor of the Ultra 5.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Ultra 5 336H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the i5-13450HX supports DDR4 and DDR5. The i5-13450HX also supports ECC memory, which the Ultra 5 does not.

Q: Which chip has more cores?

A: The Ultra 5 336H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The i5-13450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads, meaning it uses hyper-threading to match the thread count.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and process nodes. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H is built on the Panther Lake architecture using a 3 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-13450HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm node. This process advantage likely contributes to the Ultra 5's strong single-core performance and its lower 25 W TDP, compared to the i5-13450HX's 55 W TDP.

Core configurations differ significantly. The Ultra 5 packs 16 cores and 16 threads, with no hyper-threading. The i5-13450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads, achieving its thread count through hyper-threading. The base clocks reflect the different designs: the Ultra 5 runs at 1.90 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost, while the i5-13450HX has a 2.40 GHz base and identical 4.60 GHz boost. Cache layouts also diverge, with the Ultra 5 featuring 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 per core, plus 18 MB shared L3. The i5-13450HX has 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core, with a larger 20 MB shared L3.

Memory support is a key differentiator. The Ultra 5 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a dual-channel bus and a rated memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The i5-13450HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode but has no listed memory bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported only on the i5-13450HX, making it suitable for error-sensitive workloads. PCIe connectivity also differs, with the Ultra 5 offering Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes and the i5-13450HX offering Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics and sockets round out the differences. The Ultra 5 336H features Intel Xe3 Graphics and uses the Intel BGA 2540 socket, while the i5-13450HX uses UHD Graphics 710 on the Intel BGA 1964 socket. The i5-13450HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, a feature the Ultra 5 lacks. The i5-13450HX launched in January 2023 with a launch MSRP of $326, while the Ultra 5 336H is a newer release from January 2026 with no listed launch MSRP. Both processors remain in active production.