Intel Core i7-13850HX

The Intel Core i7-13850HX is a mobile processor built on the Raptor Lake-HX architecture, released in early 2023. It is an active production part in Intel's 13th Generation Core series, targeting high-performance laptops. The chip integrates 20 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz.

How It Compares

The average benchmark score of the Core i7-13850HX is 50,827, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs tracked. This positions it as a top-tier mobile processor, but the nearest rivals show how tight the competition is at this level.

Against the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT, the i7-13850HX is marginally ahead by 0.2%. The average scores are 50,827 versus 50,738, respectively. This is a negligible difference, meaning real-world application selection will determine which chip feels faster. The data indicates that in aggregate, these two processors are effectively performance equals.

The Intel Core i9-13980HX holds a slight edge over the i7-13850HX, with the i9 scoring 50,944 versus 50,827 for the i7. This is a 0.2% deficit for the i7. While the i9 is nominally faster, the delta is so small that it falls within typical run-to-run variance. The i7-13850HX offers nearly the same aggregate performance as the top-tier i9.

Comparing to the Intel Core Ultra 5 235, the i7-13850HX is 0.5% ahead, with scores of 50,827 and 50,598. This is another near-perfect tie in average performance. The Ultra 5 235 represents a different architecture generation, but the benchmark data shows the older i7-13850HX still holds a slight aggregate advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X also trails the i7-13850HX by 0.5%, scoring 50,556. This is notable because the Ryzen 9 7900X is a desktop-class processor, while the i7-13850HX is a mobile chip. The data shows the mobile i7 essentially matches this desktop part in average benchmark performance, which speaks to the efficiency of the Raptor Lake-HX design.

Power and Thermals

The Core i7-13850HX has a thermal design power (TDP) of 55 watts. This classifies it as a high-power mobile processor, intended for large gaming laptops and mobile workstations. A TDP of 55 watts requires a robust cooling solution; a slim ultrabook chassis will not suffice.

Users should expect a laptop with this chip to have a substantial heatsink, multiple heat pipes, and high-performance fans. The thermals will be a significant factor in sustained workloads. The data shows that this processor is designed for performance, not for quiet or cool operation in thin-and-light form factors. A capable dual-fan cooling system is implied by this power class.

Platform and Compatibility

The i7-13850HX uses the Intel BGA 1964 socket, which means it is soldered directly to the motherboard and is not upgradeable. It is not a socketed desktop processor. The chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. It also supports ECC memory, which is a feature typically found in workstation platforms.

For expansion, the processor provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. This allows for high-bandwidth connections to discrete GPUs and NVMe storage. Integrated graphics are provided by the UHD Graphics 770. The chip has an unlocked multiplier, indicating it is overclockable within the constraints of the laptop's BIOS and cooling system. The architecture is Raptor Lake, built on a 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². The part number is SRMEA.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Core i7-13850HX?

A: The processor has 20 cores and 28 threads.

Q: What memory types does the i7-13850HX support?

A: It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: Is the i7-13850HX faster than the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT?

A: Yes, marginally. The average benchmark score is 50,827 for the i7 versus 50,738 for the Ryzen, a 0.2% difference.

Q: Does the i7-13850HX have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel UHD Graphics 770.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 55 watts.

Q: What PCIe version does the CPU support?

A: It supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark results show a processor that excels in multi-threaded applications. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 31,346, which is a strong result for a mobile chip. The single-core score of 4,425 in the same test indicates excellent per-thread performance for a laptop processor.

In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 13,165, and the single-core score is 1,858. The older Cinebench R15 shows a multi-core score of 3,159 and a single-core score of 445. These scores scale consistently across versions, confirming a balanced architecture.

The PassMark suite provides a broader view. The multithread score is 36,870, while the single-thread score is 3,769. The integer math test yields 126,852, and floating-point math scores 92,369. Data compression scores 441,525, while encryption scores 26,062. Extended instructions score 26,586, and find prime numbers scores 184. Random string sorting scores 49,198, and physics scores 2,483.

Relative to rivals, the aggregate scores are nearly identical. The i7-13850HX is 0.2% ahead of the Ryzen 9 5900XT, 0.2% behind the Core i9-13980HX, and 0.5% ahead of both the Core Ultra 5 235 and the Ryzen 9 7900X. The data indicates that in multi-core workloads, the i7-13850HX will trade blows with these competitors, with no clear winner across all applications. The single-core performance is also competitive, given the high boost clock of 5.30 GHz.

Who Should Consider It

The Core i7-13850HX is a strong choice for users who need high multi-core throughput in a mobile form factor. Content creators working with video editing, 3D rendering, or software compilation will benefit from the 20-core configuration. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 31,346 indicates that heavy parallel workloads will be handled efficiently.

For gaming, the processor is more than capable. The high single-core score of 4,425 in Cinebench R23 ensures that games reliant on single-thread performance will run well. The 28 threads provide ample headroom for background tasks and game streaming. The PCIe Gen 5 support also ensures that a modern discrete GPU will not be bottlenecked by the CPU interface.

Office and productivity users will find this processor to be overkill, but it will handle any spreadsheet, document, or web application without breaking a sweat. The PassMark single-thread score of 3,769 shows that even lightweight tasks will feel instant.

The processor is less suitable for users who prioritize battery life or quiet operation. The 55-watt TDP demands a large battery and aggressive cooling. Users who need a thin-and-light laptop for travel should look elsewhere. The data shows this is a desktop-replacement-class chip, best suited for users who want maximum performance without a desktop tower. The unlocked multiplier also makes it a candidate for enthusiasts who are comfortable tweaking settings in the BIOS, though laptop cooling limits will cap the overclocking headroom.