Intel Core i5-14500HX vs Intel Core i7-13700HX Comparison

The Intel Core i5-14500HX and Intel Core i7-13700HX are both Raptor Lake-HX mobile processors, but the benchmark data reveals a sharp split in their capabilities. The i7-13700HX wins the majority of head-to-head tests (12 out of 17), excelling in raw multi-threaded throughput and data-heavy workloads. However, the i5-14500HX delivers a stunning victory in the crucial Cinebench R23 suite, particularly in single-core performance where it leads by a massive 82.5%. The data indicates the i7-13700HX is the safer choice for sustained, parallel processing tasks, while the i5-14500HX offers a surprising edge in specific rendering workloads and core-efficiency scenarios. Both CPUs hold an identical 84th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 35094 and 34554 respectively, placing them in the same performance tier.

The Verdict

Pick the Intel Core i7-13700HX for uncompromising multi-core productivity. The data shows it wins 12 of the 17 direct comparisons, with decisive margins in integer math (116617 vs 95584, an 18% lead) and floating-point math (85863 vs 69442, a 19.1% lead). Its 16 cores and 24 threads provide a tangible advantage in heavily parallel tasks like data compression (392725 vs 333851, a 15% lead) and encryption (22386 vs 19502, a 12.9% lead). This is the processor for users who prioritize sustained throughput across all cores.

Pick the Intel Core i5-14500HX for a specific but potent mix of single-core strength and modern rendering performance. Despite having fewer cores (14 vs 16) and threads (20 vs 24), it wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test decisively (24234 vs 20479, an 18.3% lead) and the R23 single-core test by an enormous 82.5% (3421 vs 1875). The i5 also wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test by 26.5% (344 vs 272). If your workflow is heavily reliant on the Cinebench R23 engine, the i5-14500HX is the surprising victor.

The tie-breaker is the Cinebench R20 suite. The i7-13700HX wins both the multicore (11290 vs 10178, a 9.8% lead) and single-core (1593 vs 1436, a 9.9% lead) tests there. This makes the i7-13700HX the more consistent performer across the older Cinebench versions, while the i5-14500HX appears optimized for the R23 version. The i7-13700HX also holds the edge in PassMark single-thread tests (3819 vs 3629, a 5% lead), contradicting the R23 single-core result and highlighting the i5's specific strength in that one benchmark. Ultimately, the i7-13700HX is the broader, more reliable workhorse, while the i5-14500HX is a specialist that shines in specific rendering tests.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Raptor Lake, built on Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 257 mm². They both use the Intel BGA 1964 socket and feature the integrated UHD Graphics 770. The core configurations differ, with the i7-13700HX offering 16 cores and 24 threads versus the i5-14500HX's 14 cores and 20 threads. This two-core, four-thread advantage is the primary driver of the i7's multi-threaded wins.

The cache hierarchy is another key differentiator. The i7-13700HX has a larger shared L3 cache of 30 MB, compared to 24 MB on the i5-14500HX. Both have identical per-core L1 (80 KB) and L2 (2 MB) caches. The i7-13700HX also supports more PCIe lanes (Gen 5, 20 lanes CPU-only) than the i5-14500HX (Gen 5, 16 lanes CPU-only), which could impact connectivity options for high-speed storage or GPUs. The i5 has a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz versus the i7's 2.10 GHz, but the i7 has a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus the i5's 4.90 GHz. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration and offer ECC memory support.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-13700HX Wins:

The i7-13700HX dominates the PassMark suite, winning every single test in that category except for "find prime numbers" and "physics". Its largest victories are in floating-point math (19.1% lead), integer math (18% lead), and extended instructions (17% lead). It also wins all three 3DMark tests (not listed in the head-to-head, but present in its benchmark data: 8051 on 16 threads, 8988 on max threads, 1024 on single thread), and the Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore tests. This makes it the clear choice for video encoding, 3D rendering in older engines, scientific simulations, and any workload that scales with core count.

Intel Core i5-14500HX Wins:

The i5-14500HX's wins are fewer but dramatic. It wins the Cinebench R23 multicore (24234 vs 20479) and single-core (3421 vs 1875) tests, plus the R15 single-core test (344 vs 272). It also edges out the i7 in PassMark find prime numbers (130 vs 124, a 4.8% lead) and physics (1911 vs 1908, a 0.2% lead). These results suggest the i5 may have better per-core performance in specific R23 workloads, but this does not translate to the R20 or PassMark single-thread tests. The i5 is the pick for users whose primary benchmark is Cinebench R23.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Is the i7-13700HX always faster in multi-core tests?

A: No. While the i7-13700HX wins Cinebench R15 (3277 vs 2442, a 25.5% lead) and R20 (11290 vs 10178, a 9.8% lead) multicore tests, the i5-14500HX wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test by a significant 18.3% margin (24234 vs 20479).

Q: How do they compare in single-thread performance?

A: The results are inconsistent. The i5-14500HX wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 26.5% (344 vs 272) and R23 single-core by 82.5% (3421 vs 1875). However, the i7-13700HX wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 9.9% (1593 vs 1436) and PassMark single-thread by 5% (3819 vs 3629).

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700HX has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-14500HX has 24 MB.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each?

A: The i5-14500HX has an average benchmark score of 35094, and the i7-13700HX has an average of 34554. Both CPUs are in the 84th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-14500HX and Intel Core i7-13700HX feature the integrated UHD Graphics 770.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the i7-13700HX is in Cinebench R15 multicore, where it scores 3277 against the i5's 2442, a 25.5% advantage. This pattern holds in PassMark floating-point math (85863 vs 69442, a 19.1% lead) and integer math (116617 vs 95584, an 18% lead). The i7 also leads by 17% in extended instructions (24127 vs 20019) and 15% in data compression (392725 vs 333851). Its lead in data encryption is 12.9% (22386 vs 19502), and in multithread it is 12.7% (32637 vs 28508). The i7's margin shrinks to 5% in PassMark single-thread (3819 vs 3629) and 9.8% in Cinebench R20 multicore (11290 vs 10178).

The biggest win for the i5-14500HX is staggering: an 82.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core (3421 vs 1875). It also wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 18.3% (24234 vs 20479) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 26.5% (344 vs 272). In PassMark, the i5's wins are narrow, leading find prime numbers by 4.8% (130 vs 124) and physics by a marginal 0.2% (1911 vs 1908). The i5 also loses the Cinebench R20 single-core test by 9.9% (1436 vs 1593), making the R23 results an outlier rather than a consistent trend.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14500HX | Intel Core i7-13700HX |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 14 | 16 |

| Threads | 20 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2023-01-03 |

| Part Number | SRMXJ | SRME5 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $485 |