Intel Core i7-13850HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-13850HX and Intel Core Ultra 5 235 are two very different processors from the same manufacturer, separated by two generations and aimed at different market segments. The i7-13850HX is a mobile chip with 20 cores and 28 threads, while the Ultra 5 235 is a desktop part with 14 cores and 14 threads. Despite that, their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the i7-13850HX posts 50,827 against 50,598 for the Ultra 5 235, a 0.5% difference. In head-to-head testing, the Ultra 5 235 wins 15 of 17 benchmarks, but the i7-13850HX takes two decisive victories. Both sit in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split is lopsided in favor of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235, which claims 15 of the 17 head-to-head tests. The Ultra 5 235 dominates the entire Cinebench suite — R15, R20, and R23, both single- and multi-core — along with PassMark’s data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. This is a comprehensive victory across rendering, SIMD-heavy workloads, encryption, and general single-threaded performance. Its single-thread score of 4,542 in PassMark is 17% higher than the i7-13850HX’s 3,769, and its Cinebench R23 single-core result of 4,818 beats 4,425 by 8.2%.

The Intel Core i7-13850HX wins exactly two tests, but they are not trivial. It takes PassMark’s data compression with a score of 441,525 versus 413,865, a 6.7% margin, and integer math by a massive 35.5% — 126,852 to 93,621. These results point to the i7’s higher core and thread count (20 cores/28 threads) giving it a clear advantage in integer-heavy, highly parallel tasks like compression and arithmetic logic. In random string sorting, the two are nearly tied, with the Ultra 5 235 ahead by only 0.9% (49,667 vs 49,198), suggesting that memory-latency-sensitive workloads see little difference.

For use-case planning, the Ultra 5 235 is the better choice for productivity suites, photo/video editing, and any workload that scales with floating-point throughput or benefits from strong single-core speed. The i7-13850HX remains relevant for integer-heavy server-like tasks such as compression, hashing, or database operations where its extra threads can be fully utilized. The data shows a clear architectural trade-off: the Ultra 5 235’s newer 3 nm process and Arrow Lake design deliver superior per-thread performance, while the i7-13850HX leverages its larger core count to win specific integer workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from completely different design philosophies. The i7-13850HX is built on Intel’s Raptor Lake architecture, using a 10 nm process at Intel’s own foundry, with a die size of 257 mm². The Ultra 5 235 uses the newer Arrow Lake architecture, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm node, with a die size of 243 mm² and a transistor count of 17,800 million. The process shrink is substantial — 10 nm to 3 nm — which explains the Ultra 5 235’s higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus the i7’s 2.10 GHz, even though the i7 boosts higher at 5.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. The i7-13850HX has 20 cores and 28 threads, implying a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficiency cores plus Hyper-Threading. The Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads, indicating no Hyper-Threading on any of its cores. Cache hierarchies also differ: the i7 provides 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core, with 30 MB of shared L3; the Ultra 5 235 offers 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, but only 24 MB of shared L3. The Ultra’s larger per-core caches suggest a design focused on feeding individual cores faster, while the i7’s larger L3 pool benefits many-threaded workloads.

Memory support is another differentiator. The i7-13850HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 5 235 supports only DDR5. The Ultra 5 235 also lists an explicit memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s; the i7 has no such figure in the data. ECC memory is supported on the i7 but not on the Ultra. The i7 uses an Intel BGA 1964 socket and is classified as a mobile part, while the Ultra 5 235 uses Intel Socket 1851 and is a desktop part. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i7 carries UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 235 has Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU. The i7’s multiplier is unlocked, the Ultra’s is not. Finally, the release dates are two years apart: the i7 launched on 2023-01-03, the Ultra 5 235 on 2025-01-06.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking wins for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 come in the Cinebench suite, where it is consistently 8.2% ahead across all six tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra scores 34,129 versus 31,346; in single-core, 4,818 versus 4,425. The same 8.2% delta applies to R15 and R20, both multi- and single-core, indicating a uniform per-thread advantage rather than a scaling effect. PassMark’s multithread test shows a similar 8.3% win (40,192 vs 36,870), confirming that the Ultra’s lower core count does not hurt it in general threaded workloads — the newer architecture compensates.

The Ultra 5 235’s biggest single-win margin is in PassMark’s find prime numbers, where it scores 396 versus the i7’s 184, a 53.5% lead. This test is highly sensitive to integer division and branch prediction, and the Ultra’s 3 nm process and newer microarchitecture clearly excel there. Floating point math also heavily favors the Ultra: 125,202 vs 92,369, a 26.2% advantage. Extended instructions (SIMD) show a 23.6% lead (34,793 vs 26,586), and data encryption is 16.3% higher (31,148 vs 26,062). Physics simulation also goes to the Ultra by 16.6% (2,976 vs 2,483). Single-thread performance is 17% higher (4,542 vs 3,769).

The i7-13850HX’s wins are just as decisive. In integer math, it scores 126,852 against 93,621 — a 35.5% advantage. This is the largest delta in either direction and directly reflects the i7’s 28 threads versus the Ultra’s 14. Data compression yields a 6.7% win (441,525 vs 413,865), a smaller but still clear margin. The i7 also comes close in random string sorting, trailing by only 0.9% (49,198 vs 49,667), showing that its memory subsystem is competitive despite the older architecture.

When placed in the context of nearest rivals, both CPUs sit in a tight cluster. The i7-13850HX’s average score of 50,827 is 0.2% above the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT (50,738) and 0.2% below the Intel Core i9-13980HX (50,944). The Ultra 5 235’s 50,598 is 0.1% above the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (50,556) and 0.3% below the Ryzen 9 5900XT. The two CPUs themselves are separated by just 0.5% on average, yet their benchmark profiles are radically different.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the Intel Core i7-13850HX and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235:

• Cores: 20 (i7) vs 14 (Ultra 5)
• Threads: 28 vs 14
• Base clock: 2.10 GHz vs 3.40 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.30 GHz vs 5.00 GHz
• TDP: 55 W vs 65 W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1964 vs Intel Socket 1851
• Architecture: Raptor Lake vs Arrow Lake
• Process node: 10 nm vs 3 nm
• Foundry: Intel vs TSMC
• Transistors: Not listed vs 17,800 million
• Die size: 257 mm² vs 243 mm²
• L1 cache (per core): 80 KB vs 192 KB
• L2 cache (per core): 2 MB vs 3 MB
• L3 cache (shared): 30 MB vs 24 MB
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 vs DDR5 only
• Memory bandwidth: Not listed vs 102.4 GB/s
• ECC memory: True vs False
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 770 vs Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU
• Market segment: Mobile vs Desktop
• Release date: 2023-01-03 vs 2025-01-06
• Multiplier unlocked: True vs False
• Part number: SRMEA vs SRQAS

Both CPUs share the same PCIe configuration (Gen 5, 20 lanes CPU-only), dual-channel memory bus, and production status (Active). They also both belong to the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the benchmark database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-13850HX has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads. The i7 also has a larger shared L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 wins with a score of 34,129 against 31,346 for the i7-13850HX, an 8.2% advantage.

Q: Does the i7-13850HX support DDR4 memory?

A: Yes, the i7-13850HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Ultra 5 235 supports only DDR5 and lists a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, which the i7 does not.

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock?

A: The Ultra 5 235 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz, compared to 2.10 GHz for the i7-13850HX. However, the i7 boosts higher at 5.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz.

Q: Are these CPUs comparable in overall performance?

A: Yes, their average benchmark scores are within 0.5% of each other (50,827 vs 50,598), and both sit in the 93rd percentile. However, they excel in different workloads: the Ultra 5 235 dominates most tests, while the i7-13850HX wins integer math and data compression.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Only the i7-13850HX supports ECC memory. The Ultra 5 235 does not list ECC support.