Intel Core i5-13600KF vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear overall winner in the Intel Core i5-13600KF, which takes 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. However, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 secures 5 wins, and these victories are concentrated in specific workload types that reveal a distinct performance profile.

The most dramatic result in the entire comparison is in the PassMark find prime numbers test. The Core Ultra 5 225 scores 358, which is 135.5% ahead of the i5-13600KF's score of 152. This is not a marginal victory; it is a dominant performance in a test that stresses integer computation in a specific algorithmic pattern. The Core Ultra 5 225 also wins the PassMark physics test by a narrower margin, scoring 2342 versus 2226, a 5.2% advantage. In floating-point math, the Core Ultra 5 225 leads with 92038 points against 90424, a 1.8% edge.

The single-thread results are split between the two processors depending on the benchmark suite. In the PassMark single-thread test, the Core Ultra 5 225 scores 4412, which is 7.1% ahead of the i5-13600KF's 4118. Yet in the Cinebench single-core tests, the i5-13600KF is decisively ahead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i5-13600KF scores 451 versus 368, a 18.4% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the gap widens to 52.6%, with the i5-13600KF at 1881 and the Core Ultra 5 225 at 891. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the same 18.4% deficit, with scores of 4479 and 3655 respectively.

Multi-core performance is where the i5-13600KF builds its strongest case. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5-13600KF scores 13325, which is 52.6% higher than the Core Ultra 5 225's 6317. This is the single largest percentage gap in the Cinebench suite. The Cinebench R15 and R23 multi-core tests both show an 18.4% advantage for the i5-13600KF, with scores of 3198 versus 2609 and 31727 versus 25891 respectively. The PassMark multithread test shows a similar pattern, with the i5-13600KF scoring 37488 versus 30459, an 18.7% advantage.

The i5-13600KF also wins in the other PassMark categories. Data compression shows a 36.3% lead, scoring 475505 against 302811. Data encryption is closer, with the i5-13600KF at 26957 versus 22285, a 17.3% advantage. Integer math is a strong suit for the i5-13600KF, scoring 122169 versus 65345, a 46.5% lead. Random string sorting shows a 28% gap, with scores of 50851 and 36590. The extended instructions test is the closest of the i5-13600KF wins, with a 5.9% margin, 28865 versus 27162.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design generations and are built on fundamentally different silicon. The Core Ultra 5 225 is part of Core Ultra Series 2, using the Arrow Lake-S architecture, fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC. The i5-13600KF is from the 13th Gen, using the Raptor Lake-S architecture, fabricated on a 10 nm process by Intel. This process node difference is substantial and explains part of the performance characteristics.

The core configurations diverge significantly. The Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads, meaning it has no hyperthreading. The i5-13600KF has 14 cores and 20 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement with 6 performance cores and a number of efficiency cores. The thread count difference reveals a key architectural philosophy: the i5-13600KF relies on high thread counts, while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses a simpler, equal core-to-thread ratio.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. The Core Ultra 5 225 has a 192 KB L1 cache per core and 3 MB L2 per core, with a 20 MB shared L3 cache. The i5-13600KF has 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core, with a larger 24 MB shared L3 cache. The larger L3 cache on the i5-13600KF likely contributes to its multi-threaded performance in data-intensive workloads.

Clock speeds favor the i5-13600KF. It has a 3.50 GHz base clock and a 5.10 GHz boost clock, while the Core Ultra 5 225 is rated at 3.30 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. The i5-13600KF also has a higher 125 W TDP compared to 65 W for the Core Ultra 5 225, which reflects a more power-hungry design.

The platform support differs. The Core Ultra 5 225 uses Intel Socket 1851 and supports only DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration, delivering a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The i5-13600KF uses Intel Socket 1700 and supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with dual-channel memory. The i5-13600KF supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 225 does not. PCIe support is also different: the Core Ultra 5 225 has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the i5-13600KF has 16 Gen 5 lanes.

The Core Ultra 5 225 integrates Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units, a notable feature since the i5-13600KF has no integrated graphics at all. The Core Ultra 5 225 has a locked multiplier, while the i5-13600KF is multiplier unlocked. The i5-13600KF was released on 2022-09-26, while the Core Ultra 5 225 is newer, released on 2025-01-06.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-13600KF is consistently faster. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 13325 versus 6317, a 52.6% advantage. In both R15 and R23 multi-core, the i5-13600KF holds an 18.4% lead, scoring 3198 and 31727 versus 2609 and 25891.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 5 225 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Core Ultra 5 225 wins 5 tests. Its most dominant win is in PassMark find prime numbers with a score of 358, which is 135.5% ahead. It also wins in PassMark physics, floating point math, and the PassMark single-thread test.

Q: How do the two compare in single-thread performance?

A: The data is mixed. The Core Ultra 5 225 leads in PassMark single-thread with 4412 versus 4118, a 7.1% margin. However, the i5-13600KF leads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests, with an 18.4% edge in R15 and R23, and a 52.6% edge in R20.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. The Core i5-13600KF has 14 cores and 20 threads. The i5-13600KF's higher thread count gives it a structural advantage in parallel workloads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core Ultra 5 225 supports only DDR5 memory. The i5-13600KF supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225 includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 EU units. The Core i5-13600KF does not have any integrated graphics, which is indicated by the KF suffix.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for multi-threaded and heavily parallel workloads: the Intel Core i5-13600KF is the superior processor. Its 14 cores and 20 threads deliver a 52.6% advantage in Cinebench R20 multi-core and an 18.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. In integer math, it is 46.5% ahead, and in data compression it is 36.3% ahead. For users running rendering, encoding, or scientific computing tasks that scale with core count, the i5-13600KF has a decisive edge.

The Core Ultra 5 225 is not without its strengths, but they are narrower and more specialized. Its 135.5% lead in the Prime numbers test and its 7.1% lead in PassMark single-thread show that it can excel in specific integer and single-thread workloads. Its 5.2% advantage in physics and 1.8% lead in floating point math are less decisive. The Core Ultra 5 225 also integrates graphics, which the i5-13600KF lacks, making it a more complete package for a system without a discrete GPU.

The overall average benchmark scores confirm the i5-13600KF's standing. The i5-13600KF has an average benchmark score of 38103 and sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs. The Core Ultra 5 225 has an average score of 36938 and sits at the 85th percentile. While the percentile ranks are close, the raw average score difference is 1165, favoring the i5-13600KF.

For a buyer prioritizing raw multi-threaded performance and the ability to overclock, the i5-13600KF is the clear choice. For a buyer who values a newer process node, lower TDP, integrated graphics, and discrete success in specific single-thread workloads, the Core Ultra 5 225 is the more balanced option. The data does not support the Core Ultra 5 225 as a higher-performance part, only a more efficient one in some areas.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 225 | Intel Core i5-13600KF |

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

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 10 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Arrow Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 17,800 million | Not provided |

| Die Size | 243 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | Not provided |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe Lanes | 20 (Gen 5) | 16 (Gen 5) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG (16EU) | None |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $246 | $294 |

| Release Date | 2025-01-06 | 2022-09-26 |