Intel Core i9-13950HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database presents a clear split between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core i9-13950HX wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 takes 5. The i9-13950HX is the dominant choice for heavily threaded workloads, showing a 94.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 133.2% advantage in Cinebench R20 multi-core. The Core Ultra 5 235 counters with a 13.7% win in Passmark single-thread and a 10.5% lead in floating-point math, but these victories are narrower and fewer. The data suggests the i9-13950HX for users who prioritize parallel processing, rendering, or compilation, while the Ultra 5 235 suits those who value single-core responsiveness and specific math-heavy tasks. The i9-13950HX also holds a higher average benchmark score percentile of 88 versus 89 for the Ultra 5, though the Ultra 5's average benchmark score of 46062 slightly edges out the i9's 44342. That contradiction, a lower percentile with a higher average score, points to the i9's wider spread of results across different test types.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design eras. The i9-13950HX uses Raptor Lake, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, with a die size of 257 mm². The Ultra 5 235 uses Arrow Lake, fabricated on a 3 nm node by TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. The i9-13950HX packs 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning the Ultra 5 lacks hyper-threading entirely. Cache configurations differ as well: the i9 has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3, while the Ultra 5 has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The i9 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, the Ultra 5 only DDR5, and the i9 has ECC memory support while the Ultra 5 does not. The Ultra 5 lists a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, a figure absent for the i9. Both use Gen 5 PCIe with 20 lanes, but the integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 on the i9 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU on the Ultra 5. The i9 is also an unlocked multiplier part, the Ultra 5 is not. Release dates show the i9 arriving in January 2023 and the Ultra 5 in January 2025.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The multi-core Cinebench results heavily favor the i9-13950HX. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9 scores 4529 against the Ultra 5's 1488, a 204.4% difference. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 14462 versus 6202, a 133.2% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core narrows the margin to 94.2%, with scores of 28681 and 14769. Single-core Cinebench results are closer: R15 single-core gives the i9 a 41.4% lead (297 versus 210), R20 single-core shows a 133.3% lead (2041 versus 875), but R23 single-core is nearly tied at 2096 versus 2085, a mere 0.5% difference. The Passmark suite tells a more nuanced story. The i9 wins integer math by 67.2% (147091 versus 87948), data compression by 30.6% (510258 versus 390711), multithread by 10% (41614 versus 37816), random string sorting by 16.9% (57274 versus 48980), data encryption by 5.2% (30805 versus 29293), and physics by 3.8% (2668 versus 2570). The Ultra 5 strikes back in Passmark single-thread with 4516 versus 3899, a 13.7% win, and dominates in find prime numbers with 371 versus 203, a 45.3% margin. It also leads in floating-point math, 117951 versus 105553, a 10.5% advantage, and extended instructions, 32752 versus 29779, a 9.1% edge. These mixed results indicate the i9's core count drives multi-threaded wins, while the Ultra 5's newer architecture excels in single-thread and certain math operations.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every specification field. Core counts differ: 24 versus 14, and threads 32 versus 14. Base clocks are 2.20 GHz on the i9 versus 3.40 GHz on the Ultra 5, while boost clocks are 5.50 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. TDP ratings show 55 W for the i9 and 65 W for the Ultra 5. Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1964 for the i9, Intel Socket 1851 for the Ultra 5. Process nodes are 10 nm versus 3 nm, and foundries are Intel versus TSMC. Transistor counts are listed only for the Ultra 5 at 17,800 million, with the i9 leaving that field null. Die sizes are 257 mm² versus 243 mm². L1 cache per core is 80 KB versus 192 KB, L2 per core is 2 MB versus 3 MB, and L3 shared is 36 MB versus 24 MB. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for the i9, only DDR5 for the Ultra 5. ECC memory is true for the i9, false for the Ultra 5. Memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s for the Ultra 5, null for the i9. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 for the i9, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU for the Ultra 5. Market segments are Mobile for the i9 and Desktop for the Ultra 5. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier, the Ultra 5 does not. Launch MSRP is $590 for the i9 and $257 for the Ultra 5. Part numbers are SRMEB and SRQAS respectively. Release dates are January 2023 and January 2025.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-13950HX has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads. The i9 also supports hyper-threading, which the Ultra 5 does not.

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

A: The Ultra 5 235 wins Passmark single-thread by 13.7%, scoring 4516 versus 3899. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9-13950HX edges ahead by 0.5%, scoring 2096 versus 2085. The R15 and R20 single-core tests favor the i9 by 41.4% and 133.3% respectively.

Q: What is the difference in manufacturing process?

A: The i9-13950HX is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, while the Ultra 5 235 uses a 3 nm process at TSMC. The Ultra 5 also lists 17,800 million transistors, a figure not provided for the i9.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i9-13950HX supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 does not. The i9 also supports both DDR4 and DDR5, whereas the Ultra 5 supports only DDR5.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ultra 5 235 has a higher average benchmark score at 46062, compared to 44342 for the i9-13950HX. Despite this, the i9 holds a percentile of 88 against all CPUs, while the Ultra 5 sits at 89.

Q: What are the release dates for these processors?

A: The i9-13950HX was released on January 3, 2023, and the Ultra 5 235 was released on January 6, 2025.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-13950HX wins in every Cinebench test, with margins ranging from 0.5% in R23 single-core to 204.4% in R15 multi-core. It also wins Passmark integer math, data compression, multithread, random string sorting, data encryption, and physics. This makes it the clear pick for multi-threaded workloads like video rendering, 3D modeling, code compilation, or any task that scales across many cores. Its 36 MB of shared L3 cache and 32 threads give it a structural advantage in parallel processing. The Ultra 5 235 wins Passmark single-thread, find prime numbers, floating-point math, and extended instructions. These wins suggest strengths in single-threaded responsiveness, scientific calculations, and instruction-heavy workloads that benefit from the newer Arrow Lake architecture and higher base clock of 3.40 GHz. The Ultra 5 also has a higher average benchmark score of 46062 and a marginally better percentile of 89, indicating that its overall performance profile is competitive despite losing more head-to-head tests. For a laptop user needing maximum multi-core throughput, the i9-13950HX is the data-backed choice. For a desktop user prioritizing single-thread speed and specific math operations, the Ultra 5 235 offers a compelling alternative, especially given its smaller 243 mm² die and higher TDP of 65 W.