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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data splits these two mobile processors into two distinct personalities. The Intel Core i9-13980HX claims the majority of benchmark wins, taking 10 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX secures 7 wins but often with dramatic margins in its favor.

The single most lopsided result favors the older Core i9. In PassMark integer math, the i9-13980HX scores 166,455 against the Ultra 5's 92,150, a staggering 80.6% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and suggests the 24-core, 32-thread configuration of the Raptor Lake chip has a fundamental throughput advantage in integer-heavy workloads. Data compression tells a similar story: the i9 scores 588,306 versus 393,071, a 49.7% lead. Random string sorting also goes decisively to the i9 at 66,125 versus 47,616, a 38.9% gap.

Cinebench R15 multicore reinforces this pattern. The i9-13980HX posts 4,717 points against the Ultra 5's 3,261, a 44.6% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multicore the gap narrows but remains clear: 16,187 versus 13,590, a 19.1% lead. PassMark multithread shows the same direction at 46,409 versus 38,069, a 21.9% edge. Data encryption favors the i9 by 17.7% (35,332 versus 30,022), and extended instructions give it an 8.5% margin (33,868 versus 31,212). Physics scoring is nearly tied, with the i9 ahead by just 1.9% (2,575 versus 2,526).

The Ultra 5 245HX counters with its own emphatic wins, particularly in single-threaded tests. Cinebench R23 single-core is the standout: the Ultra 5 scores 4,568 versus 2,110, which is a 53.8% advantage for the newer chip. Cinebench R15 single-core also goes to the Ultra 5 at 460 versus 304.5, a 33.8% margin. Prime number finding favors the Ultra 5 by 46.8% (359 versus 191), suggesting superior branch prediction or core efficiency. Cinebench R23 multicore is the notable exception to the i9's multicore dominance: the Ultra 5 wins 32,358 versus 30,273, a 6.4% margin, despite having only 14 cores and 14 threads. Floating point math is nearly a draw, with the Ultra 5 ahead just 1.7% (120,735 versus 118,645). PassMark single-thread also goes to the Ultra 5 at 4,481 versus 4,252, a 5.1% edge.

A curious split emerges in Cinebench versions. The i9 wins R15 and R20 multicore by wide margins, yet loses R23 multicore. The Ultra 5 wins every single-core Cinebench test by huge margins. This inconsistency across Cinebench revisions is worth examining, as it suggests workload scaling behavior differs substantially between the two architectures.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental divide is architectural generation and physical design. The i9-13980HX is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-HX codename, using Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 257 mm². The Ultra 5 245HX uses Arrow Lake, codename Arrow Lake-HX, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm node with a 243 mm² die and 17,800 million transistors. The process node difference alone explains part of the efficiency and single-thread behavior.

Core counts diverge sharply. The i9 offers 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra 5 has 14 cores and 14 threads. The absence of Hyper-Threading on the Ultra 5 is a notable design choice, as thread count equals core count. Cache hierarchies also differ. The i9 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, but only 24 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on Arrow Lake help explain its single-thread performance, while the i9's larger shared L3 and extra cores drive its multithreaded results.

Clock speeds tell a mixed story. The i9 has a 2.20 GHz base clock but boosts to 5.60 GHz. The Ultra 5 starts higher at 3.10 GHz base but boosts to 5.10 GHz. The i9's higher boost ceiling contributes to its multicore wins, while the Ultra 5's higher base clock and newer architecture give it the single-thread edge.

Memory support differs: the i9 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 dual-channel memory, while the Ultra 5 supports only DDR5 dual-channel. The Ultra 5 lists a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s; the i9 has no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on the i9 but not on the Ultra 5. PCIe configuration is identical at Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ: the i9 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 5 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU.

The sockets are different, Intel BGA 1964 for the i9 and Intel BGA 2114 for the Ultra 5, meaning they are not interchangeable in a chassis. Both have unlocked multipliers. Release dates are about two years apart: the i9 arrived in January 2023, the Ultra 5 in January 2025. The i9 has a launch MSRP of $668; the Ultra 5 has no recorded launch price.

Where Each One Wins

The data paints a clear division of labor. The i9-13980HX is the compute-heavy multithreaded workhorse. Its wins in integer math, data compression, random string sorting, encryption, extended instructions, and Cinebench R15/R20 multicore indicate it excels in rendering, batch processing, database operations, and any workload that scales across many threads. The 80.6% integer math lead and 49.7% data compression lead are particularly strong signals for content creation pipelines, scientific computing, and server-like tasks on a laptop.

The Ultra 5 245HX is the efficiency and responsiveness champion. Its massive Cinebench R23 single-core lead of 53.8% and R15 single-core lead of 33.8% point to faster application launch times, snappier UI interactions, and better performance in lightly threaded software. The prime number finding advantage of 46.8% suggests superior per-core arithmetic capability. Its win in Cinebench R23 multicore, despite having 10 fewer cores and 18 fewer threads, indicates that Arrow Lake's architectural efficiency can overcome raw core count in at least one modern rendering workload.

The near-tie in floating point math (Ultra 5 ahead 1.7%) is notable because it shows the i9's many cores almost compensate for the Ultra 5's per-core advantage in this specific test. Physics scoring is also effectively tied, with the i9 just 1.9% ahead.

For a user deciding between these, the question is whether their primary applications are heavily multithreaded (favoring the i9) or single-thread and latency-sensitive (favoring the Ultra 5). The i9 wins 10 tests, the Ultra 5 wins 7, but the magnitude of the Ultra 5's single-thread victories is often larger in percentage terms than many of the i9's multicore wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX wins every recorded single-thread test. It leads by 53.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (4,568 versus 2,110) and by 33.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core (460 versus 304.5). PassMark single-thread also favors it at 4,481 versus 4,252, a 5.1% margin.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-13980HX has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Ultra 5 does not use Hyper-Threading, so its thread count equals its core count.

Q: How do they compare in multicore rendering?

A: Results are mixed. The i9 wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 44.6% (4,717 versus 3,261) and R20 multicore by 19.1% (16,187 versus 13,590). However, the Ultra 5 wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 6.4% (32,358 versus 30,273), showing that the newer architecture can win in at least one modern rendering benchmark.

Q: What are the manufacturing process differences?

A: The i9-13980HX uses Intel's 10 nm process with a 257 mm² die. The Ultra 5 245HX uses TSMC's 3 nm process with a 243 mm² die and 17,800 million transistors. The Ultra 5 also has larger per-core caches: 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core, versus 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core on the i9.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: No. The i9-13980HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 dual-channel memory and has ECC support. The Ultra 5 245HX supports only DDR5 dual-channel, has no ECC support, and lists a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests overall?

A: The i9-13980HX wins 10 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Ultra 5 245HX wins 7. The i9's wins are concentrated in multithreaded and integer-heavy workloads, while the Ultra 5 wins in single-threaded and some efficiency-oriented tests.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Series: Core 13th Gen versus Core Ultra Series 2
• Cores: 24 versus 14
• Threads: 32 versus 14
• Base clock: 2.20 GHz versus 3.10 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.60 GHz versus 5.10 GHz
• Socket: Intel BGA 1964 versus Intel BGA 2114
• Architecture: Raptor Lake versus Arrow Lake
• Process node: 10 nm versus 3 nm
• Foundry: Intel versus TSMC
• Transistors: not recorded versus 17,800 million
• Die size: 257 mm² versus 243 mm²
• L1 cache: 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core
• L2 cache: 2 MB per core versus 3 MB per core
• L3 cache: 36 MB shared versus 24 MB shared
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 versus DDR5 only
• Memory bandwidth: not recorded versus 102.4 GB/s
• ECC memory: true versus false
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU
• Release date: January 2023 versus January 2025
• Launch MSRP: $668 versus not recorded
• Part number: SRME9 versus SRVFM

Identical specifications include the 55 W TDP, dual-channel memory bus, Gen 5 PCIe with 20 CPU lanes, active production status, mobile market segment, and unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward choice based on workload profile. The Intel Core i9-13980HX is the pick for users running heavily multithreaded applications. Its leads in integer math (80.6%), data compression (49.7%), random string sorting (38.9%), and Cinebench R15 multicore (44.6%) make it the stronger option for rendering, data processing, and any task that can use 32 threads. It also carries ECC memory support, which matters for certain professional workflows, and a larger shared L3 cache of 36 MB.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX is the pick for users who prioritize single-thread performance and modern efficiency. Its 53.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 33.8% lead in R15 single-core indicate faster response in everyday applications, coding, and lightly threaded software. Its win in Cinebench R23 multicore, despite having only 14 cores, suggests the newer Arrow Lake architecture is more efficient per thread. The 3 nm TSMC process, larger per-core caches, and higher base clock of 3.10 GHz all support this profile.

Both processors sit at the 90th percentile among all CPUs in the database, and their average benchmark scores are close: 50,398 for the i9 versus 48,287 for the Ultra 5. The i9's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 at a 0.1% lower average score, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT at 0.6% lower, the Intel Core i7-13850HX at 0.7% lower, and the Intel Core 9 273PE at 1.1% higher. The Ultra 5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A at 0.2% higher, AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 at 0.2% higher, AMD EPYC 273PE and Intel Core i5-14600K at 0.4% lower. The i9 edges ahead of its nearest rival by 1.1% in one direction and trails by 0.1% in another, while the Ultra 5 is effectively tied with its nearest rivals.

The verdict is not about one being universally better, it is about matching silicon to tasks. The i9-13980HX rewards those who push multi-core scaling hard. The Ultra 5 245HX rewards those who value per-core speed and modern fabrication. Choose the i9 for multithreaded muscle, choose the Ultra 5 for single-threaded speed.