Intel Core i9-13980HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-threaded performance in the database?

A: The Intel Core i9-13980HX wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including a 42.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Its closest rivals in the database are the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 (0.1% behind) and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT (0.6% behind).

Q: How does the Core Ultra 5 245 perform in single-core workloads?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245 wins all single-thread tests, with a 54.6% margin in Cinebench R23 single-core and a 34.9% margin in Cinebench R15 single-core. Its PassMark single-thread score is 4394 versus 4252 for the i9-13980HX.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The i9-13980HX has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245 has 14 cores and 14 threads. The i9 also has a higher boost clock at 5.60 GHz versus 5.10 GHz for the Ultra 5.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245 is built on a 3 nm process by TSMC, while the i9-13980HX uses Intel's 10 nm node. The Ultra 5 also has a larger L1 cache at 192 KB per core versus 80 KB per core.

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The i9-13980HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 245 supports only DDR5. The Ultra 5 has a listed memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, whereas the i9 does not have a recorded bandwidth figure.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i9-13980HX has an average benchmark score of 50398, and the Core Ultra 5 245 scores 48995. Both sit at the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-13980HX belongs to the Raptor Lake-HX family, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It uses the Raptor Lake architecture with a die size of 257 mm². In contrast, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is part of the Arrow Lake-S family, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm node with a 243 mm² die and 17,800 million transistors. This process advantage gives the Ultra 5 a significantly smaller and denser design.

Core configuration differs substantially. The i9-13980HX provides 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra 5 245 offers 14 cores and 14 threads. The i9's hyper-threading support doubles its thread count, which directly impacts multi-threaded throughput. The i9 also has a higher boost clock at 5.60 GHz versus 5.10 GHz for the Ultra 5, though the Ultra 5 has a higher base clock at 3.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz.

Cache hierarchies are distinct. The i9-13980HX uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 245 uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 5 benefit single-threaded operations, while the i9's larger L3 pool aids multi-threaded workloads that share data.

Memory support differs. The i9-13980HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The Ultra 5 245 supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. Both processors support ECC memory. PCIe capabilities are identical: Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i9-13980HX includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 245 has Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Ultra 5 is a desktop part, whereas the i9 is a mobile processor. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier; the Ultra 5 does not. The i9's launch MSRP is $668, while the Ultra 5's is $270.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13980HX dominates in heavily multi-threaded and throughput-oriented tasks. Its 24-core, 32-thread configuration delivers clear advantages in integer math, where it leads by 82.5%, and in data compression, with a 46.7% margin. It also wins in multithreaded PassMark (19.9% ahead) and random string sorting (34.6% ahead). For content creation workloads like Cinebench R20 multi-core, it holds a 17.1% lead. The i9 also edges out the Ultra 5 in extended instructions (1.7%) and physics (0.2%). Its nearest rivals in the database, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 and Ryzen 9 5900XT, sit within 0.1% and 0.6% respectively, showing the i9 is competitive with flagship mobile and desktop parts.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 excels in single-threaded and latency-sensitive workloads. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4648 is 54.6% higher than the i9's 2110, and its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 468 beats 304.5 by 34.9%. It also wins in prime number finding (47.7% ahead) and floating-point math (1.6% ahead). The Ultra 5's PassMark single-thread score of 4394 is 3.2% higher than the i9's 4252. This makes the Ultra 5 the better choice for applications that depend on per-core speed, such as legacy software, certain simulations, and lightly threaded games.

The split is nearly even in terms of raw benchmark wins: the i9 takes 10 tests, the Ultra 5 takes 7. However, the margins tell a clearer story. The i9's wins are often large (42.2%, 46.7%, 82.5%), while the Ultra 5's single-thread wins are also substantial (54.6% in R23 single-core). The i9 is the multi-threaded workhorse; the Ultra 5 is the single-thread specialist. For users with mixed workloads, the i9's broader lead across more tests suggests better overall throughput, while the Ultra 5 offers superior responsiveness in per-core tasks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-13980HX | Intel Core Ultra 5 245 |

|----------------|----------------------|------------------------|

| Cores | 24 | 14 |

| Threads | 32 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.60 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1964 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 243 mm² |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 102.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $668 | $270 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the i9-13980HX in PassMark integer math, where it scores 166455 against 91187, a 82.5% advantage. This reflects the i9's massive thread count advantage in integer operations. Similarly, in PassMark data compression, the i9 scores 588306 versus 400942, a 46.7% lead. These are productivity-heavy workloads where the i9's 24 cores and 32 threads provide a decisive edge.

The i9 also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by a wide margin: 4717 versus 3318, a 42.2% delta. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i9 leads 16187 to 13828, a 17.1% margin. PassMark multithread shows the i9 ahead at 46409 versus 38706, a 19.9% delta. Random string sorting favors the i9 by 34.6% (66125 versus 49140). Data encryption goes to the i9 by 16.9% (35332 versus 30236), and extended instructions by 1.7% (33868 versus 33304). Physics is nearly tied, with the i9 winning by 0.2% (2575 versus 2569).

The Core Ultra 5 245's biggest win is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 4648 versus the i9's 2110, a 54.6% margin. This is the largest single-thread gap in the comparison. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 5 wins 468 to 304.5, a 34.9% delta. PassMark find prime numbers shows the Ultra 5 ahead at 365 versus 191, a 47.7% lead. Floating-point math goes to the Ultra 5 by a slim 1.6% (120548 versus 118645). PassMark single-thread (and its duplicate singlethread test) gives the Ultra 5 a 3.2% win, 4394 versus 4252.

Cinebench R23 multi-core is an interesting outlier: the Ultra 5 wins 32924 versus 30273, an 8.1% margin, despite the i9 winning R15 and R20 multi-core. This suggests the Ultra 5's newer architecture scales better in the longer R23 workload. Overall, the i9 wins 10 tests, the Ultra 5 wins 7. The i9's average benchmark score is 50398, and the Ultra 5's is 48995, a 2.9% difference. Both sit at the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The i9's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370, is only 0.1% behind, while the Ultra 5's closest competitor, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G, is 0.4% behind.