Intel Core i9-13900HK vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225F Comparison

The Intel Core i9-13900HK and Intel Core Ultra 5 225F represent two distinct generations of Intel design, yet their average benchmark scores are remarkably close. The i9-13900HK averages 37,425 points, while the Core Ultra 5 225F trails by a mere 0.3% at 37,313 points. This near-parity in overall performance makes the specific workload differences all the more critical when choosing between them.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the Core Ultra 5 225F dominates in most modern workloads, while the i9-13900HK holds specific advantages in legacy integer-heavy tasks. Out of 17 head-to-head comparisons, the Core Ultra 5 225F wins 15, with the i9-13900HK taking only 2.

The most lopsided victory for the Core Ultra 5 225F comes in PassMark’s find prime numbers test, where it scores 352 versus the i9-13900HK’s 110 – a 68.7% advantage. This indicates a fundamental efficiency gain in the newer architecture’s integer processing pipeline. Similarly, in extended instructions, the Ultra 5 225F posts 28,027 against 19,534, a 30.3% lead that suggests better SIMD and AVX implementation.

The Core Ultra 5 225F also shows substantial wins in floating-point math, scoring 92,554 versus 68,020 – a 26.5% margin. Its advantage in data encryption is 15.2%, with scores of 22,648 against 19,198. Even in physics calculations, a traditionally multi-threaded domain, the Ultra 5 225F leads by 22% (2,430 versus 1,896).

In Cinebench tests, the Core Ultra 5 225F wins consistently but by narrower margins. In R23 multi-core, it scores 16,467 versus 16,025 – just 2.7% ahead. The single-core R23 result is similarly tight at 1,893 versus 1,843.5, a 2.6% edge. The gap widens in older Cinebench versions: R20 multi-core shows 11,059 versus 9,548 (13.7% ahead), and R15 multi-core shows 2,660 versus 2,398 (9.8% ahead). This pattern suggests the newer architecture scales better in legacy rendering workloads.

The i9-13900HK’s two wins are notable for their magnitude. In PassMark integer math, it scores 94,120 versus 66,417 – a commanding 41.7% lead. This is likely due to its higher core and thread count (14 cores/20 threads versus 10 cores/10 threads). The i9 also wins data compression, scoring 329,454 versus 310,843, a 6% advantage.

The multi-threaded PassMark score favors the Core Ultra 5 225F at 31,004 versus 28,194 (9.1% ahead), despite the i9’s thread advantage. Single-thread scores also favor the Ultra 5 225F at 4,397 versus 3,810, a 13.4% difference. Random string sorting is nearly tied, with the Ultra 5 225F ahead by just 1.8% (37,325 versus 36,662).

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900HK has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 37,425, compared to the Core Ultra 5 225F’s 37,313. The delta is just 0.3%, making them statistically equivalent overall.

Q: Why does the Core Ultra 5 225F win so many more head-to-head tests?

A: The data shows the Core Ultra 5 225F wins 15 of 17 comparisons. Its biggest margins come in integer-heavy workloads like prime number calculation (68.7% ahead) and extended instructions (30.3% ahead), indicating a more efficient per-core architecture despite having fewer cores and threads.

Q: Where does the i9-13900HK outperform the Core Ultra 5 225F?

A: The i9-13900HK wins in PassMark integer math (94,120 versus 66,417, a 41.7% lead) and data compression (329,454 versus 310,843, a 6% lead). These wins correlate with its higher thread count of 20 versus 10.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225F scores 16,467, which is 2.7% ahead of the i9-13900HK’s 16,025. This is the closest multi-core margin in the Cinebench suite.

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-thread score?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225F leads in single-thread performance. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 4,397 versus 3,810 (13.4% ahead). In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1,893 versus 1,843.5 (2.6% ahead).

Q: Are these CPUs considered equivalent in overall market positioning?

A: Both CPUs sit at the 85th percentile versus all CPUs. Their nearest rivals include each other, with the i9-13900HK being 0.3% above the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H and the Core Ultra 5 225F being 0.4% above the same chip.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different design philosophies. The i9-13900HK uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. Its die size is 257 mm². In contrast, the Core Ultra 5 225F uses Arrow Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and a transistor count of 17,800 million.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The i9-13900HK has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225F has larger per-core caches: 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, but a smaller 20 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 5 225F likely contribute to its single-thread performance advantage.

The i9-13900HK includes integrated graphics in the form of Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The Core Ultra 5 225F has no integrated graphics (N/A). This makes the i9 a complete mobile solution, while the Ultra 5 225F requires a discrete GPU.

The i9-13900HK supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 225F supports only DDR5. The Ultra 5 225F has a specified memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i9. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity shows a major difference. The i9-13900HK offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 225F provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This makes the Ultra 5 225F significantly more capable for multi-GPU or high-bandwidth storage configurations.

The i9-13900HK has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The Core Ultra 5 225F has a locked multiplier. The i9 is a mobile processor (Intel BGA 1744 socket), while the Ultra 5 225F is a desktop processor (Intel Socket 1851).

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference. The i9-13900HK has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225F has 10 cores and 10 threads. The i9 also has a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 4.90 GHz on the Ultra 5 225F. However, the Ultra 5 225F has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.60 GHz on the i9.

Thermal design power favors the mobile chip. The i9-13900HK is rated at 45W TDP, while the Core Ultra 5 225F is rated at 65W TDP. The i9 is unlocked (multiplier unlocked: true), while the Ultra 5 225F is locked (multiplier unlocked: false).

The i9-13900HK uses 10 nm process node and supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Core Ultra 5 225F uses 3 nm process node and supports only DDR5. The i9 features integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Ultra 5 225F has none.

The i9-13900HK has a launch MSRP of $697 and uses part number SRMJ3. The Core Ultra 5 225F has a launch MSRP of $231 and uses part number SRQD2SRVF9. The i9 was released on 2023-01-03, while the Ultra 5 225F was released on 2025-01-06.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear picture for different use cases. If the workload involves heavy integer math, data compression, or requires integrated graphics for a portable system, the Intel Core i9-13900HK is the better choice. Its 41.7% lead in integer math and 6% lead in data compression are substantial, and its 20 threads make it more capable for highly parallel integer tasks.

For virtually every other scenario, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F is the superior processor. It wins 15 of 17 benchmark comparisons, including all Cinebench tests, all PassMark single-thread tests, and most multi-thread tests despite having half the thread count. Its 68.7% advantage in prime number finding and 30.3% lead in extended instructions show a dramatically more efficient architecture. The 3 nm process node from TSMC delivers this performance at a lower base clock and with fewer cores, highlighting the architectural advancement.

Desktop users building a new system should favor the Core Ultra 5 225F for its 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and newer Socket 1851 platform. Mobile users needing an all-in-one solution with integrated graphics must choose the i9-13900HK. The i9’s higher launch MSRP ($697) versus the Ultra 5 225F’s ($231) reflects different market positioning, but the benchmark data shows the cheaper desktop part outperforms the premium mobile chip in most measurable ways. The verdict from the numbers is unambiguous: the Core Ultra 5 225F is the better performer for modern workloads, while the i9-13900HK retains niche advantages in integer-heavy and compression tasks.