Core i5-13600K vs Core Ultra 7 155H

Intel

Core i5-13600K

14 Cores20 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2022

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Core Ultra 7 155H

16 Cores22 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023

Popular choices:

i5-13600K

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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 i5-13600K

2022

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 155H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core Ultra 7 155H.

    Core Ultra 7 155H

    2023

    Why buy it

    • 40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
    • Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i5-13600K.

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (24,705 vs 37,655).

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i5-13600K better than Core Ultra 7 155H?
    Yes. Core i5-13600K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 52.4% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13600K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600K is the better fit. You are getting 52.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Core i5-13600K is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13600K is at an unclear MSRP at $329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 155H is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

    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.

    Path of Exile 2

    Path of Exile 2

    PresetCore i5-13600KCore Ultra 7 155H
    1080p
    low281 FPS308 FPS
    medium264 FPS278 FPS
    high220 FPS232 FPS
    ultra188 FPS198 FPS
    1440p
    low235 FPS251 FPS
    medium198 FPS201 FPS
    high158 FPS163 FPS
    ultra138 FPS143 FPS
    4K
    low159 FPS173 FPS
    medium133 FPS139 FPS
    high102 FPS107 FPS
    ultra90 FPS93 FPS
    Counter-Strike 2

    Counter-Strike 2

    PresetCore i5-13600KCore Ultra 7 155H
    1080p
    low632 FPS618 FPS
    medium533 FPS532 FPS
    high450 FPS434 FPS
    ultra416 FPS389 FPS
    1440p
    low540 FPS550 FPS
    medium474 FPS457 FPS
    high403 FPS385 FPS
    ultra351 FPS328 FPS
    4K
    low316 FPS340 FPS
    medium282 FPS286 FPS
    high269 FPS261 FPS
    ultra238 FPS229 FPS
    League of Legends

    League of Legends

    PresetCore i5-13600KCore Ultra 7 155H
    1080p
    low663 FPS618 FPS
    medium543 FPS618 FPS
    high477 FPS618 FPS
    ultra414 FPS618 FPS
    1440p
    low600 FPS618 FPS
    medium499 FPS618 FPS
    high434 FPS618 FPS
    ultra376 FPS543 FPS
    4K
    low441 FPS618 FPS
    medium381 FPS531 FPS
    high344 FPS475 FPS
    ultra295 FPS402 FPS
    Valorant

    Valorant

    PresetCore i5-13600KCore Ultra 7 155H
    1080p
    low941 FPS618 FPS
    medium941 FPS618 FPS
    high923 FPS618 FPS
    ultra831 FPS618 FPS
    1440p
    low941 FPS618 FPS
    medium850 FPS618 FPS
    high738 FPS618 FPS
    ultra651 FPS579 FPS
    4K
    low651 FPS606 FPS
    medium588 FPS538 FPS
    high529 FPS486 FPS
    ultra437 FPS423 FPS

    Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Core Ultra 7 155H

    Intel

    Core i5-13600K

    The Core i5-13600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 37,655 points. Launch price was $319.

    Intel

    Core Ultra 7 155H

    The Core Ultra 7 155H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 22 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,705 points. Launch price was $503.

    Processing Power

    The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 155H offers 16 cores / 22 threads — the Core Ultra 7 155H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 155H — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 155H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Core Ultra 7 155H's 24,705 — a 41.5% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 155H.

    FeatureCore i5-13600KCore Ultra 7 155H
    Cores / Threads
    14 / 20
    16 / 22+14%
    Boost Clock
    5.1 GHz+6%
    4.8 GHz
    Base Clock
    3.5 GHz
    3.8 GHz+9%
    L3 Cache
    24 MB
    24 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    2 MB (per core)
    2 MB (per core)
    Process
    Intel 7 nm
    7 nm
    Architecture
    Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
    Meteor Lake-H (2023)
    PassMark
    37,655+52%
    24,705
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    17,650
    Geekbench 6 Single
    2,384
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    12,433
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 155H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 28 (Core Ultra 7 155H) — the Core Ultra 7 155H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 7 155H).

    FeatureCore i5-13600KCore Ultra 7 155H
    Socket
    LGA1700
    FCBGA2049
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 5.0
    PCIe 5.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-5600
    LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600
    Max RAM Capacity
    192 GB+100%
    96 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    20
    28+40%
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Only the Core i5-13600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 7 155H). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) and Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores) (Core Ultra 7 155H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop, Core Ultra 7 155H targets Thin-and-light Performance / AI. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 155H rivals Ryzen 7 8840HS.

    FeatureCore i5-13600KCore Ultra 7 155H
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    UHD Graphics 770
    Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)
    Unlocked
    Yes
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    Target Use
    Desktop
    Thin-and-light Performance / AI