Intel Core i7-13650HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a decisive picture: the Intel Core i7-13650HX wins 16 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H manages a single victory. The most dramatic gap appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i7-13650HX scores 3470 against 1743 for the Ultra 7 155H, a 49.8% advantage. This is not a marginal difference; it nearly doubles the single-threaded performance in that workload.

Multi-core results follow a similar trajectory. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-13650HX posts 24580 versus 15028, a 38.9% lead. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows 10731 against 8754, an 18.4% margin. Even the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test favors the i7-13650HX, albeit narrowly: 2477 vs 2450, a 1.1% difference.

The PassMark suite reinforces the pattern. Data compression scores 383943 for the i7-13650HX versus 277353 for the Ultra 7 155H, a 27.8% gap. Extended instructions show 23146 against 16456, a 28.9% deficit for the Ultra 7. Integer math favors the i7-13650HX at 102929 versus 86870, a 15.6% edge. Floating-point math lands at 75643 versus 63703, a 15.8% lead. Random string sorting goes to the i7-13650HX at 41162 against 31990, a 22.3% advantage.

The single PassMark win for the Ultra 7 155H comes in find prime numbers, where it scores 113 versus 103, a 9.7% improvement. This outlier suggests a specific computational advantage in that particular algorithm, but it does not offset the broader trend.

Single-threaded PassMark results show the i7-13650HX at 3769 versus 3468 for the Ultra 7, an 8% lead. The physics test is nearly tied: 1745 versus 1727, a 1% margin for the i7-13650HX. Data encryption shows a 24.4% gap (21649 vs 16358), and multithread performance lands at 30704 versus 24873, a 19% difference.

Across the board, the i7-13650HX demonstrates superiority in both lightly threaded and heavily threaded workloads. The only exception—prime number finding—highlights a niche strength in the Ultra 7's architecture, but it is an isolated result.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in their design philosophy. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H uses the Meteor Lake architecture on a 7 nm process, built by Intel. It contains 16 cores and 22 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Intel Core i7-13650HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, also built by Intel, with 14 cores and 20 threads. Its base clock runs at 2.60 GHz, boosting to 4.90 GHz.

Cache hierarchies differ in the L1 and L2 segments. The Ultra 7 155H carries 112 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core. The i7-13650HX has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core. Both share 24 MB of L3 cache, but the per-core L1 advantage for the Ultra 7 suggests a different approach to data locality.

Power and platform targets set these chips apart. The Ultra 7 155H has a TDP of 28 watts, while the i7-13650HX draws 55 watts. This nearly double power envelope for the i7-13650HX aligns with its higher performance scores. The Ultra 7 uses Intel BGA 2049 socket; the i7-13650HX uses Intel BGA 1964. The i7-13650HX also carries an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the Ultra 7 does not.

Memory support differs meaningfully. The Ultra 7 155H supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The i7-13650HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, though no bandwidth figure is listed. The i7-13650HX supports ECC memory; the Ultra 7 does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Ultra 7 offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-13650HX offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), a substantial expansion in I/O capacity.

Integrated graphics take different paths. The Ultra 7 155H features Arc Xe-LPG 128EU, a newer GPU architecture. The i7-13650HX uses UHD Graphics 710, a more modest integrated solution. The die size for the i7-13650HX is listed at 257 mm², while the Ultra 7's die size is not specified.

Release timing favors the i7-13650HX by roughly a year: it launched on 2023-01-03, while the Ultra 7 arrived on 2023-12-13. Both are currently marked as Active in production.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-13650HX outperforms the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H in nearly every benchmark category, with margins ranging from 1% to nearly 50%. For users prioritizing raw compute performance, the i7-13650HX is the clear choice. Its 38.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 49.8% lead in single-core represent substantial real-world differences for rendering, compilation, and high-frequency trading-style workloads.

The Ultra 7 155H's single win in prime number finding (9.7% ahead) suggests a specialized advantage, but it does not compensate for deficits in other areas. Its lower TDP of 28 watts versus 55 watts indicates a power-efficient design, which may appeal to thin-and-light laptops where thermals and battery life take precedence. The Arc Xe-LPG 128EU integrated graphics also represent a newer architecture, potentially offering better media or display capabilities, though benchmark data here does not cover graphics performance.

For users who need ECC memory support, the i7-13650HX is the only option. For those who require more PCIe lanes (20 versus 8), the i7-13650HX again leads. The unlocked multiplier on the i7-13650HX adds overclocking headroom, which is absent on the Ultra 7.

The i7-13650HX also offers a higher boost clock (4.90 GHz vs 4.80 GHz) despite a lower base clock (2.60 GHz vs 3.80 GHz), indicating a design tuned for burst performance. The Ultra 7's higher base clock may help in sustained low-power scenarios, but benchmark results do not reflect an advantage there.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-13650HX scores 3470, which is 49.8% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H's 1743.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded PassMark performance?

A: The i7-13650HX achieves 30704, while the Ultra 7 155H scores 24873, giving the i7-13650HX a 19% lead.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Ultra 7 155H wins?

A: Yes, the Ultra 7 155H wins in PassMark find prime numbers with 113 versus 103 for the i7-13650HX, a 9.7% advantage.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Ultra 7 155H has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the i7-13650HX has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Do both processors support DDR5 memory?

A: The Ultra 7 155H supports DDR5, and the i7-13650HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The i7-13650HX also supports ECC memory, which the Ultra 7 does not.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: The i7-13650HX has a TDP of 55 watts, compared to 28 watts for the Ultra 7 155H.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-13650HX wins in almost every measured workload category. For multi-core rendering, it delivers 24580 in Cinebench R23 versus 15028, a 38.9% advantage that translates directly to faster video exports and 3D rendering. For single-threaded tasks like spreadsheet recalculation or legacy software, its 49.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core makes it decisively faster. Data-heavy operations favor the i7-13650HX: compression scores 27.8% higher, encryption 24.4% higher, and sorting 22.3% higher. Math workloads also favor the i7-13650HX, with integer math up 15.6% and floating-point up 15.8%.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H wins only in prime number finding, with a 9.7% margin. This suggests an advantage in algorithms that involve modular arithmetic or primality testing, which could matter for cryptography research or certain scientific simulations. Its lower TDP of 28 watts makes it suitable for fanless or low-power mobile designs, and its Arc Xe-LPG 128EU integrated graphics likely offer better visual output than the UHD Graphics 710, though no graphics benchmarks are included here.

For users with workloads that stress sustained single-core performance, the i7-13650HX is the superior part. For those who need ECC memory, the choice is forced toward the i7-13650HX. The Ultra 7's higher base clock (3.80 GHz vs 2.60 GHz) may provide better responsiveness in short, latency-sensitive bursts, but the benchmark data does not show a corresponding win. In practical terms, the i7-13650HX is the performance leader, while the Ultra 7 155H offers a power-efficient alternative with a niche computational strength.