PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-13700HX

2023

Why buy it

✅+2% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core Ultra 5 225F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.3 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($485 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).

Core Ultra 5 225F

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.4% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $254 less on MSRP ($231 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
✅Delivers 105.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (31,541 vs 32,157).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-13700HX

2023

Core Ultra 5 225F

2025

Why buy it

✅+2% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Core Ultra 5 225F needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.4% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $254 less on MSRP ($231 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
✅Delivers 105.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 66.3 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($485 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (31,541 vs 32,157).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225F better than Core i7-13700HX?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 225F is ahead with a 14.4% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700HX pulls ahead with 2% better PassMark. Core i7-13700HX also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700HX is the better fit. You are getting 2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core Ultra 5 225F is the smarter buy today. Core Ultra 5 225F is $254 cheaper on MSRP at $231 MSRP versus $485 MSRP, and it gives you a 14.4% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i7-13700HX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2% better PassMark. It is also 105.9% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 66.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 225F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023). That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-13700HX Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 5 225F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13700HX	Core Ultra 5 225F
1080p
low	264 FPS	256 FPS
medium	254 FPS	244 FPS
high	210 FPS	208 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	225 FPS	219 FPS
medium	193 FPS	187 FPS
high	153 FPS	154 FPS
ultra	135 FPS	133 FPS
4K
low	154 FPS	150 FPS
medium	131 FPS	127 FPS
high	101 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	86 FPS

Open Core i7-13700HX Open Core Ultra 5 225F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13700HX	Core Ultra 5 225F
1080p
low	340 FPS	603 FPS
medium	291 FPS	512 FPS
high	245 FPS	421 FPS
ultra	223 FPS	378 FPS
1440p
low	295 FPS	501 FPS
medium	264 FPS	441 FPS
high	223 FPS	372 FPS
ultra	192 FPS	319 FPS
4K
low	176 FPS	301 FPS
medium	159 FPS	266 FPS
high	151 FPS	248 FPS
ultra	132 FPS	218 FPS

Open Core i7-13700HX Open Core Ultra 5 225F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13700HX	Core Ultra 5 225F
1080p
low	647 FPS	789 FPS
medium	527 FPS	680 FPS
high	467 FPS	609 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	522 FPS
1440p
low	590 FPS	725 FPS
medium	486 FPS	588 FPS
high	425 FPS	515 FPS
ultra	370 FPS	439 FPS
4K
low	433 FPS	504 FPS
medium	372 FPS	422 FPS
high	333 FPS	377 FPS
ultra	285 FPS	318 FPS

Open Core i7-13700HX Open Core Ultra 5 225F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13700HX	Core Ultra 5 225F
1080p
low	804 FPS	789 FPS
medium	804 FPS	789 FPS
high	715 FPS	777 FPS
ultra	635 FPS	699 FPS
1440p
low	778 FPS	789 FPS
medium	691 FPS	716 FPS
high	599 FPS	623 FPS
ultra	521 FPS	547 FPS
4K
low	547 FPS	560 FPS
medium	497 FPS	510 FPS
high	443 FPS	457 FPS
ultra	386 FPS	402 FPS

Open Core i7-13700HX Open Core Ultra 5 225F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700HX and Core Ultra 5 225F

Core i7-13700HX

The Core i7-13700HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,157 points. Launch price was $485.

Core Ultra 5 225F

The Core Ultra 5 225F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 31,541 points. Launch price was $231.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Core i7-13700HX has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-13700HX versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700HX (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-13700HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700HX scores 32,157 against the Core Ultra 5 225F's 31,541 — a 1.9% lead for the Core i7-13700HX. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700HX vs 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F.

Feature	Core i7-13700HX	Core Ultra 5 225F
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+60%	10 / 10
Boost Clock	5 GHz+2%	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+50%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)+50%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	32,157+2%	31,541
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	17,050
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,653
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	13,028

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core Ultra 5 225F supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700HX) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 225F) — the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Mobile (Core i7-13700HX) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F).

Feature	Core i7-13700HX	Core Ultra 5 225F
Socket	FCBGA1964	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	256 GB+33%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-13700HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-13700HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core Ultra 5 225F requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-13700HX	Core Ultra 5 225F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics	—
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13700HX launched at $485 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 5 225F debuted at $231. On MSRP ($485 vs $231), the Core Ultra 5 225F is $254 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700HX delivers 66.3 pts/$ vs 136.5 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 225F — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 69.3% better value option.