Intel Core i5-13450HX vs Intel Core Ultra 9 185H Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H and the Intel Core i5-13450HX are both mobile processors from Intel, but they belong to different generations and occupy different positions in the laptop market. The recorded data in the database shows a complete sweep: the Ultra 9 185H wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the i5-13450HX does not win a single one. This analysis covers the architecture, specifications, and benchmark results to help a builder decide which chip fits a given laptop purchase.

The Verdict

The verdict is straightforward from the data. The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all 17 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 3.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core to 48.2% in Passmark find prime numbers. Its average benchmark score of 35670 places it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-13450HX averages 34333 and sits at the 84th percentile. The Ultra 9 185H also sits close to the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X in the database, trailing that desktop chip by only 0.7% in average score. The i5-13450HX, by contrast, leads the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 by 0.3% and the AMD EPYC 4244P by 0.3%. For a buyer who wants maximum compute performance in a laptop, the Ultra 9 185H is the clear pick. The i5-13450HX still has reasons to exist: it supports ECC memory, has an unlocked multiplier, carries a higher TDP of 55W versus 45W, and offers more PCIe Gen 5 lanes (20 versus 8). But on pure benchmark performance, the Ultra 9 185H wins every test in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different Intel architectures. The Ultra 9 185H uses Meteor Lake, built on Intel's 7 nm process, while the i5-13450HX uses Raptor Lake (specifically Raptor Lake-HX) on a 10 nm process. The i5-13450HX has a recorded die size of 257 mm²; the Ultra 9 185H does not have a die size recorded in the database. The core counts differ substantially: the Ultra 9 185H has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the i5-13450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads. Cache layouts also differ. The Ultra 9 185H has 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-13450HX has 80 KB of L1 per core and 20 MB of shared L3. Both chips have 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The sockets are different as well: the Ultra 9 185H uses Intel BGA 2049, and the i5-13450HX uses Intel BGA 1964. The integrated graphics differ: the Ultra 9 185H carries Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 128 execution units, while the i5-13450HX has UHD Graphics 710. Memory support is another split: the Ultra 9 185H supports DDR5 (depending on motherboard) with a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i5-13450HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5 and has no memory bandwidth figure recorded. The i5-13450HX supports ECC memory; the Ultra 9 185H does not. The Ultra 9 185H was released in December 2023, while the i5-13450HX was released in January 2023. The i5-13450HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ultra 9 185H does not.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Ultra 9 185H wins every multi-core test in the database. In Cinebench R23 multicore it scores 17984.5 versus 16797, a 7.1% lead. In Passmark multithread it scores 29376 versus 25084, a 17.1% lead. The largest multi-core margin is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 9 scores 123 versus 83, a 48.2% lead.

Q: Does the i5-13450HX have any advantages over the Ultra 9 185H?

A: Yes, in non-benchmark specifications. The i5-13450HX supports ECC memory, has an unlocked multiplier, a higher TDP of 55W versus 45W, and more PCIe Gen 5 lanes (20 versus 8). These features matter for specific use cases like error-sensitive compute or overclocking.

Q: Which chip has better single-core performance?

A: The Ultra 9 185H wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core it scores 1810.5 versus 1746, a 3.7% lead. In Passmark single thread it scores 3697 versus 3553, a 4.1% lead. The smallest head-to-head margin in the entire database is the R23 single-core test at 3.7%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Ultra 9 185H has an average benchmark score of 35670, placing it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-13450HX has an average of 34333, at the 84th percentile. The Ultra 9 185H trails the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X by 0.7% in average score, while the i5-13450HX leads the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 by 0.3%.

Q: Which chip has better integrated graphics?

A: The Ultra 9 185H has Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 128 execution units, while the i5-13450HX has UHD Graphics 710. The database does not include integrated graphics benchmark results, so no direct performance comparison is recorded.

Q: Which chip is newer?

A: The Ultra 9 185H was released in December 2023, while the i5-13450HX was released in January 2023. The Ultra 9 185H is the newer part.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors in the database:

| Field | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | Intel Core i5-13450HX |

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

| Series | Core Ultra Series 1 | Core 13th Gen |

| Generation | Ultra 9 (Meteor Lake) | Core i5 (Raptor Lake-HX) |

| Codename | Meteor Lake | Raptor Lake-HX |

| Cores | 16 | 10 |

| Threads | 22 | 16 |

| Base clock | 3.90 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2049 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Architecture | Meteor Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Process node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Die size | Not recorded | 257 mm² |

| L1 cache | 112 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L3 cache | 24 MB shared | 20 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 (depends on motherboard) | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 128EU | UHD Graphics 710 |

| Release date | December 2023 | January 2023 |

| Launch MSRP | $640 | $326 |

| Unlocked multiplier | No | Yes |

| Part number | SRN23 | SRME8SRMEE |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results in the database are one-sided. The Ultra 9 185H wins all 17 comparisons, with zero wins for the i5-13450HX. The largest margin is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 9 scores 123 versus 83, a 48.2% lead. Passmark physics shows a 30.1% lead (1956 versus 1504). Passmark random string sorting shows a 24% lead (39598 versus 31940). Passmark data encryption shows a 19.2% lead (19827 versus 16632). Cinebench R20 multicore and single-core both show an 18.7% lead (10356 versus 8728, and 1462 versus 1232). Passmark floating point math shows an 18.6% lead (73270 versus 61776). Passmark integer math shows an 18.1% lead (98302 versus 83209). Passmark multithread shows a 17.1% lead (29376 versus 25084). Cinebench R15 multicore shows an 11.9% lead (2801.5 versus 2503). Passmark data compression shows a 10.9% lead (339489 versus 305990). Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 7.1% lead (17984.5 versus 16797). Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 6.7% lead (264.5 versus 248). Passmark extended instructions shows a 6.2% lead (20272 versus 19083). Passmark single thread shows a 4.1% lead (3697 versus 3553). The smallest margin is Cinebench R23 single-core at 3.7% (1810.5 versus 1746). The pattern is consistent: the Ultra 9 185H leads in every category, with the largest advantages in integer-heavy and physics workloads.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmarks, the Ultra 9 185H wins in every measured workload. It is the better choice for multi-threaded rendering, as shown by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore results. It is the better choice for physics simulation, with a 30.1% lead in Passmark physics. It is the better choice for encryption and compression tasks, with 19.2% and 10.9% leads respectively. It is the better choice for floating point and integer math, with 18.6% and 18.1% leads. It is even the better choice for single-threaded work, though the margins there are smaller (3.7% to 6.7%). The i5-13450HX does not win any benchmark in the database. However, the i5-13450HX has advantages outside of benchmarks. It supports ECC memory, which matters for error-sensitive workloads. It has an unlocked multiplier, which allows overclocking in systems that support it. It has a higher TDP of 55W versus 45W, which may allow different power delivery in a laptop chassis. It has more PCIe Gen 5 lanes (20 versus 8), which can matter for storage and expansion. For a user who needs ECC memory or plans to overclock, the i5-13450HX is the only one of the two that fits. For a user who wants the fastest recorded performance in the database, the Ultra 9 185H is the answer.