Intel Core i5-13500 vs Intel Core i5-14450HX Comparison

The Intel Core i5-14450HX and Intel Core i5-13500 are both Raptor Lake parts, but the benchmark data reveals a clear split: the mobile HX chip wins the most demanding multi-threaded workloads, while the desktop chip dominates nearly everything else. The i5-13500 takes 14 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, yet the i5-14450HX secures the two most decisive victories in Cinebench R23, making the choice heavily dependent on workload type.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5-14450HX scores 20,108 against the i5-13500’s 14,573. That is a 38% lead for the mobile processor. The single-core R23 result is even more lopsided: the i5-14450HX posts 2,838 versus 1,780 for the i5-13500, a 59.4% advantage. These are the two biggest wins in the entire comparison, and they are substantial enough to define the i5-14450HX as the superior choice for sustained rendering workloads that scale with thread count.

However, the i5-13500 dominates the older Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-13500 scores 2,405 against 2,026, a 15.8% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap widens: 10,990 versus 8,445, a 23.2% difference. The i5-13500 also wins Cinebench R20 single-core by the same 23.2% margin, posting 1,551 against 1,191. This inconsistency between Cinebench versions is noteworthy, as the i5-14450HX’s R23 scores are far higher relative to its R15 and R20 results, suggesting R23’s workload characteristics favor the HX chip’s architecture.

Beyond Cinebench, the i5-13500 is consistently ahead in PassMark tests. In data compression, the i5-13500 scores 391,249 versus 278,538, a 28.8% lead. Data encryption shows a 30.3% advantage (22,333 vs 15,574). Extended instructions favor the i5-13500 by 28.2% (23,956 vs 17,207). Floating point math is 27.6% higher (80,198 vs 58,037), and integer math is 27.7% higher (108,320 vs 78,330). The multi-thread PassMark score gives the i5-13500 a 31,285 to 23,680 win, a 24.3% margin. Even single-thread PassMark, where the i5-14450HX might have been expected to compete based on its R23 single-core win, goes to the i5-13500 by 5.7% (3,865 vs 3,643).

The only other i5-14450HX wins are narrow: Cinebench R15 single-core (285 vs 256, an 11.3% lead) and the two PassMark single-thread entries, which are actually the same test name duplicated with a typo. The i5-13500 also wins PassMark physics by 10.3% (1,645 vs 1,475) and prime numbers by 3.9% (102 vs 98). Random string sorting is a 30.9% win for the i5-13500 (42,759 vs 29,565). The overall win tally of 3-14 in favor of the i5-13500 is decisive on volume, but the i5-14450HX’s R23 victories are so large that they cannot be dismissed as outliers.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel’s 10 nm process and Raptor Lake architecture, but they are distinct dies. The i5-14450HX is a Raptor Lake-HX refresh with a die size of 257 mm², while the i5-13500 is a Raptor Lake-S desktop part with a 215 mm² die. The core counts differ: the i5-14450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads, whereas the i5-13500 has 14 cores and 20 threads. The desktop chip has 4 more physical cores and 4 more threads.

Cache configuration diverges as well. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core, but the i5-14450HX has 2 MB of L2 per core, while the i5-13500 has 1.25 MB per core. The shared L3 cache favors the i5-13500: 24 MB versus 20 MB. The per-core L2 advantage for the HX chip (2 MB vs 1.25 MB) is notable, potentially explaining its strong R23 performance despite fewer total cores.

Base clocks are close (2.40 GHz for the HX, 2.50 GHz for the desktop), and boost clocks are identical at 4.80 GHz. The i5-13500 has a higher TDP of 65 watts against 55 watts for the i5-14450HX. The HX chip is mobile (BGA 1964 socket), while the i5-13500 is desktop (LGA 1700). Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode and both have ECC memory support. PCIe is the same: Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ: the i5-14450HX has UHD Graphics 710, while the i5-13500 has UHD Graphics 770. The i5-14450HX has an unlocked multiplier; the i5-13500 does not. The mobile chip was released on 2024-01-07, while the desktop chip came out on 2023-01-03. The i5-13500 has a launch MSRP of $242.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-14450HX is significantly faster, scoring 20,108 versus 14,573 for the i5-13500, a 38% advantage.

Q: Does the i5-13500 win any multi-threaded tests?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (2,405 vs 2,026) and Cinebench R20 multi-core (10,990 vs 8,445), along with all PassMark multi-threaded tests, including data compression (391,249 vs 278,538) and multithread (31,285 vs 23,680).

Q: What explains the i5-14450HX’s R23 dominance despite having fewer cores?

A: The data shows the i5-14450HX has 2 MB of L2 per core versus 1.25 MB for the i5-13500, and it has a higher single-core R23 score (2,838 vs 1,780). These factors likely contribute to its superior R23 performance.

Q: Are both processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both are on Intel’s 10 nm process node, and both use the Raptor Lake architecture. The i5-14450HX is Raptor Lake-HX, and the i5-13500 is Raptor Lake-S.

Q: Do both support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and both have ECC memory support.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The i5-13500 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i5-14450HX has a TDP of 55 watts.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-14450HX has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-13500 has 14 cores and 20 threads. The i5-14450HX has a base clock of 2.40 GHz; the i5-13500 has 2.50 GHz. Both boost to 4.80 GHz. TDP is 55 W for the HX and 65 W for the desktop part.

Socket types are completely different: the i5-14450HX uses Intel BGA 1964, and the i5-13500 uses Intel Socket 1700. Die size is 257 mm² for the HX chip and 215 mm² for the desktop chip. L2 cache per core is 2 MB versus 1.25 MB. L3 cache is 20 MB for the HX and 24 MB for the desktop. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 710 versus UHD Graphics 770. The i5-14450HX has an unlocked multiplier; the i5-13500 is locked. The i5-14450HX is a mobile part, while the i5-13500 is a desktop part. Release dates are 2024-01-07 and 2023-01-03, respectively. The i5-13500 has a launch MSRP of $242.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-14450HX wins in very specific, high-impact scenarios. Its 38% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 59.4% lead in R23 single-core make it the clear choice for workloads that resemble R23’s rendering and ray-tracing tasks. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 11.3%. If the primary workload is modern Cinebench rendering, the i5-14450HX is the better performer despite its mobile positioning and lower core count.

The i5-13500 wins almost everywhere else. It is ahead in every PassMark test, including data compression (28.8%), encryption (30.3%), extended instructions (28.2%), floating point (27.6%), integer math (27.7%), and multi-thread (24.3%). It also wins Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core by 15.8% and 23.2%, respectively, and R20 single-core by 23.2%. For general productivity, data processing, encryption, and legacy Cinebench versions, the i5-13500 is the stronger performer.

The i5-13500’s 14-core/20-thread configuration gives it a clear edge in heavily parallel PassMark workloads. The i5-14450HX’s 10-core/16-thread setup, combined with its larger per-core L2 cache, appears optimized for specific rendering tasks. The i5-13500 also wins single-thread PassMark by 5.7%, indicating better general single-thread performance outside of R23.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward split: the Intel Core i5-14450HX is the choice for Cinebench R23-centric workloads, where it leads by 38% in multi-core and 59.4% in single-core. This is not a small margin; it is a decisive advantage in a widely used benchmark. Any user whose primary application load mirrors R23 should strongly favor the i5-14450HX.

For everything else, the Intel Core i5-13500 is superior. It wins 14 of 17 tests, with leads ranging from 3.9% in prime numbers to 30.9% in random string sorting. Its higher core count (14 vs 10) and larger L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB) translate to consistent wins across PassMark’s varied workload suite, as well as in Cinebench R15 and R20. The i5-13500 also has a higher TDP (65 W vs 55 W), suggesting more sustained power headroom for desktop use.

The i5-14450HX’s average benchmark score is 32,040, slightly ahead of the i5-13500’s 31,510, and both sit at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. The i5-14450HX is also an unlocked part, offering overclocking potential that the locked i5-13500 lacks. However, the i5-13500’s launch MSRP of $242 provides a fixed reference point for its positioning.

If the workload is modern rendering with R23’s characteristics, the i5-14450HX wins decisively. If the workload is any mix of general computing, data processing, or legacy Cinebench versions, the i5-13500 is the better performer. The i5-13500’s breadth of wins makes it the safer all-rounder, but the i5-14450HX’s peak performance in R23 cannot be ignored. Choose by workload, not by brand loyalty.