Intel Core i9-13900KS vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX Comparison

The Intel Core i9-13900KS and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX represent two distinct philosophies in Intel’s lineup: one is a flagship desktop part from the Raptor Lake generation, while the other is a high-end mobile processor built on Arrow Lake. The benchmark data shows a clear hierarchy in most workloads, but the Ultra 7 265HX manages to secure a few surprising victories. This analysis walks through the head-to-head results, answers common questions, and breaks down where each chip excels based strictly on the measured performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-13900KS dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning 15 out of 17 benchmark tests. The most striking margin comes in PassMark integer math, where the i9-13900KS scores 211,027 against 126,954 for the Ultra 7 265HX, a massive 66.2% advantage. This suggests the desktop chip’s higher core count and thread count are particularly effective in workloads that scale with parallel integer operations. Similarly, PassMark data compression shows a 59.2% lead for the i9-13900KS, with scores of 814,838 versus 511,817. The data indicates that the i9-13900KS is substantially faster in tasks that involve heavy data manipulation and sorting.

The Cinebench suite reinforces this pattern. Across all three versions (R15, R20, and R23), the i9-13900KS consistently leads by 26.4% in both single-core and multi-core tests. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-13900KS scores 51,368 while the Ultra 7 265HX scores 40,642. The single-core gap is equally consistent: 7,252 versus 5,737 in R23 single-core, again a 26.4% difference. These results show that the i9-13900KS does not just win on raw core count; its per-thread performance is also significantly ahead.

The PassMark multithread test follows the same trend, with the i9-13900KS scoring 60,644 against 47,985, a 26.4% edge. PassMark random string sorting sees a 44.5% win for the i9-13900KS (90,257 versus 62,458), and PassMark data encryption shows a 21% advantage (47,772 versus 39,472). Even in PassMark extended instructions, a test that often favors newer architectures, the i9-13900KS leads by 18.4% (48,217 versus 40,741). The i9-13900KS also wins PassMark physics by 15.5% (3,441 versus 2,978) and PassMark single thread by a narrower 4.7% (4,712 versus 4,500).

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX, however, wins two tests outright. The most notable is PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 406 against 257 for the i9-13900KS, a -36.7% delta in favor of the Ultra 7 (meaning the i9-13900KS is 36.7% slower). This is a counter-intuitive result, as the i9-13900KS is generally faster in other math-heavy workloads. The Ultra 7 also edges out the i9-13900KS in PassMark floating point math, scoring 161,605 versus 154,805, a -4.2% delta. While this is a slim margin, it indicates that the Ultra 7’s architecture has a specific strength in floating-point operations.

It is notably the i9-13900KS holds a 93rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Ultra 7 265HX also sits at the 93rd percentile. Their average benchmark scores are close: 64,051 for the i9-13900KS and 63,173 for the Ultra 7 265HX. The nearest rivals for the i9-13900KS include the AMD EPYC 7343 (deltaPct -0.2) and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F (deltaPct -0.6), while the Ultra 7 265HX’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-13790F (deltaPct 0.1) and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G (deltaPct -0.2). This context shows that both chips are competitive within their respective segments, despite the i9-13900KS’s clear wins in the head-to-head.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i9-13900KS is faster, scoring 51,368 compared to 40,642 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX. This represents a 26.4% advantage for the i9-13900KS.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins two tests. It scores 406 in PassMark find prime numbers versus 257 for the i9-13900KS (a -36.7% delta), and it scores 161,605 in PassMark floating point math versus 154,805 (a -4.2% delta).

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The i9-13900KS leads in single-threaded tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 7,252 versus 5,737, a 26.4% lead. In PassMark single thread, the margin narrows to 4.7% (4,712 versus 4,500).

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the i9-13900KS scores 211,027 and the Ultra 7 265HX scores 126,954, giving the i9-13900KS a 66.2% advantage.

Q: Are both CPUs in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-13900KS and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX rank in the 93rd percentile among all CPUs, according to the data.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The i9-13900KS has an average benchmark score of 64,051, while the Ultra 7 265HX has an average score of 63,173. The i9-13900KS is slightly ahead, but the difference is small.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i9-13900KS is the superior processor for the vast majority of workloads. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, often by substantial margins. Its biggest advantages are in integer math (66.2%), data compression (59.2%), and random string sorting (44.5%). For users running Cinebench, PassMark multithread, or any task that relies on parallel processing, the i9-13900KS is the clear choice.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX, however, is not without merit. It wins in prime number finding and floating point math, which could be relevant for certain scientific or simulation workloads. Its floating point score of 161,605 is notably higher than the i9-13900KS’s 154,805, and it achieves this while having fewer cores (20 versus 24) and a lower TDP (55W versus 150W). The data suggests that the Ultra 7 265HX is more efficient in specific math tasks, but for general purpose and heavily threaded applications, the i9-13900KS is decisively ahead.

Given the performance data, the i9-13900KS is the pick for anyone prioritizing raw compute throughput, especially in multi-core scenarios. The Ultra 7 265HX is the pick for those who need a mobile processor with a specific strength in floating-point and prime number calculations, and who are willing to sacrifice the substantial multi-core performance of the i9-13900KS.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ significantly in their core configurations and physical specifications. The Intel Core i9-13900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX has 20 cores and 20 threads. The i9-13900KS also has a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 6.00 GHz, compared to 2.60 GHz base and 5.30 GHz boost for the Ultra 7 265HX.

Power consumption is a major differentiator. The i9-13900KS has a TDP of 150W, while the Ultra 7 265HX has a TDP of 55W. The socket types also differ: the i9-13900KS uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 265HX uses Intel BGA 2114. The i9-13900KS supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Ultra 7 265HX supports only DDR5. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Ultra 7 265HX at 102.4 GB/s, versus 89.6 GB/s for the i9-13900KS. The i9-13900KS supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 7 265HX does not. Both have Gen 5 PCIe with 20 lanes, and both have unlocked multipliers. The integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 on the i9-13900KS versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the Ultra 7 265HX.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is substantial. The Intel Core i9-13900KS is built on Raptor Lake, using a 10 nm process node from Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX is based on Arrow Lake, fabricated on a 3 nm process node by TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. The cache hierarchies differ: the i9-13900KS has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 265HX has larger per-core caches: 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2, but a smaller 30 MB of shared L3.

These architectural differences likely explain some of the benchmark results. The Ultra 7 265HX’s larger per-core caches and newer 3 nm process may contribute to its wins in prime number finding and floating point math. The i9-13900KS, with more cores and threads and a larger L3 cache, excels in multi-threaded and data-intensive workloads. The i9-13900KS is a desktop part from the 13th Gen series, released on 2023-01-11 with a launch MSRP of $699. The Ultra 7 265HX is a mobile part from the Core Ultra Series 2, released on 2025-01-12.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13900KS is the definitive winner in multi-core performance. It leads by 26.4% across all Cinebench versions and the PassMark multithread test. It also dominates in integer math (66.2%), data compression (59.2%), and random string sorting (44.5%). This makes it the better choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, and any workload that uses many threads simultaneously. Its single-core performance is also ahead by 26.4% in Cinebench R23 and 4.7% in PassMark, so it is also suitable for responsive everyday tasks and lightly-threaded applications.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX wins in two specific areas: prime number finding and floating point math. Its score of 406 in PassMark find prime numbers is far ahead of the i9-13900KS’s 257, and its 161,605 in floating point math edges out the 154,805 of the i9-13900KS. These results suggest that the Ultra 7 265HX could be preferable for scientific computing, financial modeling, or other tasks that rely heavily on floating-point arithmetic. Its lower TDP of 55W (versus 150W for the i9-13900KS) also indicates that it is more power-efficient, which is an important consideration for mobile users who need sustained performance without excessive heat or battery drain.

In summary, the i9-13900KS wins on almost every front, making it the obvious choice for desktop users who demand maximum performance. The Ultra 7 265HX is a niche player that wins in floating-point and prime number workloads, and it offers a compelling package for mobile users with those specific needs.