Intel Core i7-13705H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fascinating split between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H wins 11 of the 17 recorded tests, while the Intel Core i7-13705H takes 6. Yet the margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests.

The Ultra 7 155H dominates in the older Cinebench iterations. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 2450 against 1612 for the i7-13705H, a commanding 52% advantage. The single-core R15 test also favors the Ultra 7, with 255 versus 227, a 12.3% lead. Cinebench R20 repeats this pattern: the Ultra 7 posts 8754 in multicore against 6719, a 30.3% gap, and the same 30.3% delta appears in single-core, with 1235 versus 948.

The picture flips in Cinebench R23. Here the i7-13705H takes the multicore test with 15998 against 15028, a 6.1% margin for the older chip. The single-core R23 result is even more lopsided: 2258 versus 1743, a 22.8% advantage for the i7-13705H. This reversal across Cinebench versions suggests the workloads scale differently between the two architectures, with the i7 pulling ahead in the newer, more demanding render test.

PassMark results are largely close calls. The Ultra 7 155H wins data compression with 277353 versus 273720, a slim 1.3% edge. Data encryption goes to the Ultra 7 by just 0.2%, with 16358 against 16324. Extended instructions favor the Ultra 7 by 4.1%, at 16456 versus 15810. Floating point math is nearly identical: 63703 against 63064, a 1% win for the Ultra 7. Integer math shows a 1.1% lead for the Ultra 7, 86870 versus 85927. Multithread performance sits at 24873 versus 24460, a 1.7% advantage for the Ultra 7.

The i7-13705H counters in a few specific PassMark tests. Prime number finding goes to the i7 by 2.6%, with 116 against 113. Physics simulation favors the i7 by 6.9%, scoring 1854 versus 1727. Single-thread performance is nearly dead even, with the i7 edging ahead 3483 versus 3468, a 0.4% difference. The most decisive PassMark win for the Ultra 7 comes in random string sorting, where it posts 31990 against 29285, a 9.2% margin.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this mixed picture. The Ultra 7 155H averages 32697 across all tests, while the i7-13705H averages 32076. Both processors sit near the top of the database: the Ultra 7 ranks in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, the i7 in the 82nd.

Where Each One Wins

The Ultra 7 155H establishes its strongest territory in the Cinebench R15 and R20 suites, where its multicore leads reach 52% and 30.3% respectively. These older render workloads clearly favor the newer architecture. The Ultra 7 also collects a broad cluster of PassMark wins in compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point, integer math, multithread, and string sorting. For general productivity and mixed workloads, the data consistently points to the Ultra 7.

The i7-13705H claims the newer Cinebench R23 tests, both multicore and single-core. Its 22.8% single-core lead in R23 is the largest margin recorded for either chip in any test. The i7 also wins physics simulation by 6.9%, prime number finding by 2.6%, and single-thread PassMark by a hair. For users whose workloads resemble Cinebench R23, particularly single-threaded rendering tasks, the i7 is the stronger choice.

The passmark single-thread scores are effectively tied, with the i7 ahead by 0.4%. Neither processor demonstrates a meaningful advantage in basic single-threaded operations. The real differentiation appears in multithreaded render workloads, where the two chips split victories depending on which Cinebench version is used.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use different manufacturing processes. The Ultra 7 155H is built on Meteor Lake architecture using a 7 nm process, while the i7-13705H uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process. Both are fabricated by Intel, but the newer Meteor Lake design packs more cores: 16 versus 14, and 22 threads versus 20.

The Ultra 7 has a higher base clock at 3.80 GHz compared to 2.40 GHz for the i7. However, the i7 boosts higher, reaching 5.00 GHz against 4.80 GHz for the Ultra 7. The i7 also carries a higher TDP at 45 watts versus 28 watts for the Ultra 7, indicating different power envelopes and thermal characteristics.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The Ultra 7 provides 112 KB of L1 cache per core, while the i7 offers 80 KB per core. Both share 2 MB of L2 per core and 24 MB of L3 cache. The die size for the i7 is recorded at 257 mm², while no die size is listed for the Ultra 7.

Memory support diverges as well. The Ultra 7 supports DDR5 with bandwidth depending on the motherboard, while the i7 supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Ultra 7 records a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is listed for the i7. Both use dual-channel memory buses and neither supports ECC memory.

Integrated graphics differ between the two. The Ultra 7 features Arc Xe-LPG with 128 execution units, while the i7 uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. Both connect via PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The Ultra 7 uses the Intel BGA 2049 socket, while the i7 uses the older Intel BGA 1744 socket.

The Ultra 7 launched in December 2023 with a launch MSRP of $503. The i7 launched in January 2023 with a launch MSRP of $502. Both processors remain active in production and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data supports different picks depending on the workload. For Cinebench R15 and R20 users, the Ultra 7 155H is the clear choice. Its 52% multicore lead in R15 and 30.3% leads in R20 multicore and single-core are decisive. The Ultra 7 also wins the majority of PassMark tests, making it the better all-rounder for mixed productivity tasks.

For users running Cinebench R23, particularly single-threaded renders, the i7-13705H is superior. Its 22.8% single-core lead in R23 is the largest margin in any test, and its 6.1% multicore win in that suite shows real strength. The i7 also wins physics simulation and prime number finding, making it the pick for those specific workloads.

The overall averages favor the Ultra 7, which scores 32697 against 32076 for the i7, and it holds a one-point percentile advantage at 83 versus 82. The i7 counters with a higher boost clock, higher TDP, and larger die, while the Ultra 7 offers more cores, more threads, a smaller process node, and a newer architecture.

The launch MSRP difference is negligible, with the Ultra 7 at $503 and the i7 at $502. The deciding factor should be the specific benchmark suite that matches the intended use. Newer render workloads favor the i7, while legacy renders and general multithreaded tasks favor the Ultra 7.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the Intel Core i7-13705H has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor wins Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i7-13705H wins Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 15998 against 15028 for the Ultra 7 155H, a 6.1% margin.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two chips?

A: The largest margin is 52%, recorded in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the Ultra 7 155H scores 2450 against 1612 for the i7-13705H.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Ultra 7 155H features Arc Xe-LPG with 128 execution units, while the i7-13705H uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-13705H boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Ultra 7 155H boosts to 4.80 GHz. The Ultra 7 has a higher base clock at 3.80 GHz versus 2.40 GHz.

Q: What are the overall benchmark averages and percentiles?

A: The Ultra 7 155H averages 32697 and sits in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs. The i7-13705H averages 32076 and sits in the 82nd percentile.