Intel Core i7-13700HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-13700HX and Intel Core Ultra 5 336H are two mobile processors that end up with nearly identical average benchmark scores, but they achieve that parity through very different strengths. The data shows a split decision: the i7-13700HX wins 9 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Ultra 5 336H takes 8. Their overall average scores are separated by just 0.2%, with the i7-13700HX at 34554 and the Ultra 5 336H at 34485. This makes the choice between them a matter of workload, not raw capability.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic single-core result in the comparison is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Ultra 5 336H scores 3387 against the i7-13700HX’s 1875. That is a 44.6% advantage for the newer chip, and it is not a fluke. The Ultra 5 also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 20.2% (341 vs 272) and PassMark single-thread by 4.8% (4013 vs 3819). The i7-13700HX does take Cinebench R20 single-core, scoring 1593 versus 1422, a 12% lead, but the overall pattern is clear: the Ultra 5 has the stronger per-core performance.

Multi-core results are more mixed and tell a more nuanced story. The i7-13700HX wins Cinebench R15 multicore by a massive 35.5% (3277 vs 2418) and Cinebench R20 multicore by 12% (11290 vs 10076). However, in Cinebench R23 multicore, the Ultra 5 336H flips the script and wins by 14.6%, scoring 23991 against the i7’s 20479. This inconsistency suggests that the two chips scale differently under sustained loads, with the Ultra 5’s efficiency architecture pulling ahead in longer render workloads.

In the PassMark suite, the i7-13700HX dominates integer-heavy tasks. Its integer math score of 116617 is 87.9% higher than the Ultra 5’s 62070. Data compression also favors the i7 heavily, with a 40.1% lead (392725 vs 280340). The i7 also wins floating-point math by 4.2% (85863 vs 82415), multithread by 14.3% (32637 vs 28545), random string sorting by 21.3% (41717 vs 34402), and data encryption by 5.1% (22386 vs 21291).

The Ultra 5 336H’s wins in PassMark are more specialized. It beats the i7 in find prime numbers by 58.5% (299 vs 124), physics by 28.9% (2682 vs 1908), and extended instructions by 1.7% (24542 vs 24127). These results point to a chip that handles certain algorithmic workloads and physics calculations much more efficiently, even while losing the broader math tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design eras. The i7-13700HX is built on Raptor Lake architecture, using a 10 nm process node. It has 16 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its thermal design power (TDP) is 55 W. The Ultra 5 336H is a Panther Lake part, built on a 3 nm process node, and it also has 16 cores, but only 16 threads. Its clocks are lower, with a base of 1.90 GHz and a boost of 4.60 GHz, and its TDP is much lower at 25 W.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The i7-13700HX has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 has significantly more L1 cache at 192 KB per core and more L2 at 2.5 MB per core, but its L3 cache is smaller at 18 MB shared. This larger per-core cache likely explains some of the Ultra 5’s single-core advantages, while the i7’s larger shared L3 pool helps in multi-threaded scenarios.

Memory support is another split. The i7-13700HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 5 only supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Ultra 5 also has a rated memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s; no such figure is listed for the i7. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i7 supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 5 does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i7 has Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 5 has Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). They use different sockets, with the i7 on Intel BGA 1964 and the Ultra 5 on Intel BGA 2540.

Integrated graphics are a clear generational step. The i7-13700HX ships with UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 336H includes Intel Xe3 Graphics. The Ultra 5 is also locked, with no unlocked multiplier, whereas the i7 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The i7’s die size is listed at 257 mm²; the Ultra 5’s die size is not provided.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-13700HX is the choice for productivity and content creation that relies on heavy multi-threading. Its 87.9% lead in integer math means it will chew through spreadsheet calculations, code compilation, and database operations. The 40.1% advantage in data compression makes it better for file archiving and backup tasks. In rendering, the Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore wins suggest it handles shorter, bursty render jobs with ease. The 14.3% multithread lead in PassMark reinforces that it is the better all-around workhorse for parallel workloads.

The Ultra 5 336H is the winner for single-threaded responsiveness and efficiency-sensitive tasks. Its 44.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 20.2% lead in R15 single-core mean it will feel snappier in everyday applications and lightly-threaded software. The 58.5% win in find prime numbers suggests it excels in cryptographic or prime-calculation workloads. The 28.9% physics win indicates better performance in simulation and physics-based applications. For users who prioritize battery life and low heat, the 25 W TDP against the i7’s 55 W TDP makes the Ultra 5 the more power-efficient option, even if the i7 offers more raw multi-core muscle.

The Cinebench R23 multicore result is the one data point that complicates the narrative. The Ultra 5’s 14.6% win there suggests that in sustained, long-duration multi-core loads, the newer architecture can actually surpass the older chip. This could matter for long video exports or overnight rendering jobs, where the Ultra 5’s efficiency allows it to maintain higher clocks without thermal throttling.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700HX has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 34554, compared to the Ultra 5 336H’s 34485. The difference is just 0.2%, making them statistically equivalent.

Q: Is the Ultra 5 336H better for single-threaded performance?

A: Yes, the data shows it wins most single-thread tests. It leads by 44.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core, 20.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and 4.8% in PassMark single-thread. The i7 only wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 12%.

Q: Does the i7-13700HX have more threads?

A: Yes, the i7-13700HX has 24 threads, while the Ultra 5 336H has 16 threads. Both have 16 cores.

Q: Can either CPU use DDR4 memory?

A: Only the i7-13700HX supports DDR4. The Ultra 5 336H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X exclusively.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Ultra 5 336H has a TDP of 25 W, while the i7-13700HX has a TDP of 55 W. This indicates the Ultra 5 is designed for lower power consumption.

Q: Do both CPUs have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both have integrated graphics. The i7-13700HX has UHD Graphics 770, and the Ultra 5 336H has Intel Xe3 Graphics.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-13700HX | Intel Core Ultra 5 336H |

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

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 25 W |

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

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 30 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1964 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $485 | Not listed |

The Verdict

For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput in short bursts, the Intel Core i7-13700HX is the clear pick. Its wins in Cinebench R15 multicore (35.5%), PassMark multithread (14.3%), and integer math (87.9%) make it the better CPU for compiling, data processing, and file compression. The unlocked multiplier and ECC memory support also give it a flexibility edge for enthusiasts and small workstations.

For users who want the modern, efficient architecture, the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H is the better choice. Its dominant single-core scores, particularly the 44.6% Cinebench R23 lead, translate to snappier everyday performance. The 25 W TDP means it can fit in thinner, lighter laptops with better battery life. Its wins in Cinebench R23 multicore and physics also indicate it handles sustained and simulation-heavy loads well, despite having fewer threads.

The choice ultimately comes down to workload. The i7-13700HX is a workhorse for parallel tasks that can use its 24 threads. The Ultra 5 336H is a modern efficient chip that wins on single-core speed and sustained multi-core performance. Both sit at the 84th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a bad decision. Pick the i7 for raw threaded power, or the Ultra 5 for efficiency and per-core speed.