Intel Core i5-14500HX vs Intel Core i7-13800H Comparison

The Intel Core i5-14500HX and Intel Core i7-13800H are two mobile processors that, despite belonging to different generations and carrying different model numbers, deliver nearly identical average benchmark scores. The data shows the i5-14500HX holds a marginal 0.3% lead in average benchmark score (35094 vs 34988), placing both firmly in the 84th percentile of all CPUs. This head-to-head comparison reveals a surprisingly one-sided contest, with the i5-14500HX winning 16 of 17 benchmark comparisons, though the i7-13800H does claim a narrow victory in one specific workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the Cinebench series, where the i5-14500HX dominates by a consistent margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-14500HX scores 24234 against the i7-13800H’s 18358, a 32% advantage. This pattern holds across the entire Cinebench suite: R15 multi-core shows a 32% lead (2442 vs 1850), R20 multi-core shows 32% (10178 vs 7710), and single-core tests follow the same trajectory. The i5-14500HX achieves 344 in R15 single-core versus 261 for the i7-13800H (31.8% delta), 1436 versus 1088 in R20 (32%), and 3421 versus 2591 in R23 (32%). These are substantial, consistent wins that suggest a fundamental performance advantage in rendering workloads.

PassMark results tell a similar but less dramatic story. The i5-14500HX leads in data compression with a score of 333851 versus 299179, an 11.6% advantage, and in data encryption with 19502 versus 17726, a 10% delta. Extended instructions show an 11.1% lead (20019 vs 18011), and find prime numbers sees a 13% advantage (130 vs 115). The gap narrows in floating-point math, where the i5-14500HX scores 69442 against 66579, a 4.3% lead, and integer math shows just a 3.2% delta (95584 vs 92589). PassMark multi-thread performance gives the i5-14500HX a 7.4% edge (28508 vs 26545), while single-thread tests show a modest 2.4% advantage (3629 vs 3543).

The single benchmark where the i7-13800H emerges victorious is PassMark physics, scoring 1924 against the i5-14500HX’s 1911, a marginal 0.7% delta. This is the only instance across all 17 head-to-head tests where the older i7 outperforms the newer i5, and the margin is negligible. The i5-14500HX also wins random string sorting by 9.1% (36219 vs 33188), rounding out a comprehensive sweep.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Raptor Lake architecture and are built on Intel’s 10 nm process node, with an identical die size of 257 mm². Each chip features 14 cores and 20 threads, with the same cache hierarchy: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration and include Gen 5 PCIe, though the i5-14500HX offers 16 lanes (CPU only) while the i7-13800H provides 8 lanes.

The key differentiators lie in clock speeds and platform specifics. The i5-14500HX has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the i7-13800H runs at 2.50 GHz base and boosts higher to 5.20 GHz. Despite the i7’s higher boost ceiling, benchmark results show the i5 consistently winning, suggesting that other factors play a more significant role. The i5-14500HX carries a 55W TDP versus 45W for the i7-13800H, which likely contributes to its sustained performance advantage. The i5-14500HX also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i7-13800H.

The integrated graphics differ notably: the i5-14500HX uses UHD Graphics 770, while the i7-13800H is equipped with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU. Socket compatibility also diverges, with the i5-14500HX using Intel BGA 1964 and the i7-13800H using Intel BGA 1744. The i5-14500HX is multiplier-unlocked, whereas the i7-13800H is locked. The i5-14500HX is a Raptor Lake-HX refresh from the Core 14th Gen series, released in January 2024, while the i7-13800H is the original Raptor Lake-H from the Core 13th Gen series, released one year earlier in January 2023.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear outcome: the Intel Core i5-14500HX outperforms the Intel Core i7-13800H in nearly every measurable benchmark. With a 32% lead across all Cinebench tests and consistent wins in PassMark workloads, the i5-14500HX is the superior choice for users prioritizing raw multi-threaded and single-threaded performance. The i7-13800H’s only victory, a 0.7% edge in PassMark physics, is statistically insignificant and does not offset the broader trend.

The i5-14500HX’s higher TDP of 55W versus 45W likely explains much of its advantage, allowing it to sustain higher clocks under load. Even though the i7-13800H has a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz compared to 4.90 GHz, the i5-14500HX’s higher base clock and power budget deliver better real-world results. For users who need maximum performance in rendering, compression, and general compute tasks, the i5-14500HX is the clear winner. The i7-13800H remains a capable processor, but it trails in 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, making it difficult to recommend over its newer counterpart based on performance data alone.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-13800H has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i5-14500HX’s 4.90 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500HX has a TDP of 55W, while the Intel Core i7-13800H has a TDP of 45W.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-14500HX and Intel Core i7-13800H have 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500HX supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-13800H does not.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-14500HX has an average benchmark score of 35094, which is 0.3% higher than the Intel Core i7-13800H’s 34988.

Q: In which single benchmark does the i7-13800H win?

A: The Intel Core i7-13800H wins in PassMark physics with a score of 1924, compared to 1911 for the Intel Core i5-14500HX, a 0.7% delta.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14500HX is the definitive winner in multi-core rendering workloads. Its 32% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (24234 vs 18358) and identical 32% margins in R15 and R20 multi-core tests make it the go-to choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other heavily threaded applications. The processor also excels in data compression, scoring 333851 versus 299179 (11.6% lead), and data encryption (19502 vs 17726), making it ideal for archival tasks and security-related workloads. Extended instruction workloads show an 11.1% advantage (20019 vs 18011), and prime number finding sees a 13% lead (130 vs 115), indicating strong performance in scientific and mathematical computing.

The i5-14500HX also wins in single-threaded performance across all Cinebench tests, with a 32% lead in R23 single-core (3421 vs 2591) and a 2.4% advantage in PassMark single-thread (3629 vs 3543). This makes it a better option for applications that rely on single-core speed, such as legacy software or lightly threaded games. Its 7.4% lead in PassMark multi-thread (28508 vs 26545) and 9.1% advantage in random string sorting (36219 vs 33188) further cement its position as the superior all-around performer.

The Intel Core i7-13800H’s sole victory comes in PassMark physics, where it scores 1924 against 1911 for the i5-14500HX. This 0.7% margin is negligible and unlikely to translate into perceptible real-world differences. The i7-13800H does offer a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz, which could theoretically benefit short burst workloads, but the benchmark data does not support this in practice. Its lower TDP of 45W might appeal to users prioritizing power efficiency, though the i5-14500HX’s 55W TDP delivers substantially better performance at the cost of additional power draw. For users with workloads that are highly sensitive to single-thread clock speed in brief bursts, the i7-13800H’s higher boost could be considered, but the data overwhelmingly favors the i5-14500HX for nearly all use cases.