Core i7-13700K vs Core Ultra 7 155H

Intel

Core i7-13700K

16 Cores24 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2022

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Core Ultra 7 155H

16 Cores22 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023

Popular choices:

i7-13700K

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 i7-13700K

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $409 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 i7-13700K.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,650 vs 31,000).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Core Ultra 7 155H?
Yes. Core i7-13700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 75.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 85.3% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-13700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% 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 i7-13700K is the better fit. You are getting 75.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-13700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-13700K is at an unclear MSRP at $409 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-13700KCore Ultra 7 155H
1080p
low284 FPS308 FPS
medium268 FPS278 FPS
high223 FPS232 FPS
ultra190 FPS198 FPS
1440p
low238 FPS251 FPS
medium200 FPS201 FPS
high159 FPS163 FPS
ultra139 FPS143 FPS
4K
low159 FPS173 FPS
medium134 FPS139 FPS
high103 FPS107 FPS
ultra90 FPS93 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i7-13700KCore Ultra 7 155H
1080p
low689 FPS618 FPS
medium580 FPS532 FPS
high484 FPS434 FPS
ultra439 FPS389 FPS
1440p
low595 FPS550 FPS
medium525 FPS457 FPS
high441 FPS385 FPS
ultra378 FPS328 FPS
4K
low348 FPS340 FPS
medium314 FPS286 FPS
high295 FPS261 FPS
ultra261 FPS229 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i7-13700KCore Ultra 7 155H
1080p
low648 FPS618 FPS
medium530 FPS618 FPS
high467 FPS618 FPS
ultra405 FPS618 FPS
1440p
low591 FPS618 FPS
medium491 FPS618 FPS
high427 FPS618 FPS
ultra371 FPS543 FPS
4K
low434 FPS618 FPS
medium374 FPS531 FPS
high339 FPS475 FPS
ultra290 FPS402 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i7-13700KCore Ultra 7 155H
1080p
low970 FPS618 FPS
medium883 FPS618 FPS
high766 FPS618 FPS
ultra689 FPS618 FPS
1440p
low829 FPS618 FPS
medium740 FPS618 FPS
high642 FPS618 FPS
ultra566 FPS579 FPS
4K
low567 FPS606 FPS
medium515 FPS538 FPS
high463 FPS486 FPS
ultra404 FPS423 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Core Ultra 7 155H

Intel

Core i7-13700K

The Core i7-13700K 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 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). 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: 45,784 points. Launch price was $409.

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 i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, matching the Core Ultra 7 155H's 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 155H — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i7-13700K 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 i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Core Ultra 7 155H's 24,705 — a 59.8% lead for the Core i7-13700K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 31,000 vs 17,650 (54.9% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,846 vs 2,384, a 17.7% lead for the Core i7-13700K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,980 vs 12,433 (41.7% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 155H.

FeatureCore i7-13700KCore Ultra 7 155H
Cores / Threads
16 / 24
16 / 22
Boost Clock
5.4 GHz+13%
4.8 GHz
Base Clock
3.4 GHz
3.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache
30 MB (total)+25%
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
45,784+85%
24,705
Cinebench R23 Multi
31,000+76%
17,650
Geekbench 6 Single
2,846+19%
2,384
Geekbench 6 Multi
18,980+53%
12,433
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700K 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 i7-13700K 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 i7-13700K) vs 28 (Core Ultra 7 155H) — the Core Ultra 7 155H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K) and Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 7 155H).

FeatureCore i7-13700KCore 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 i7-13700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 7 155H). Both include integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-13700K) 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 Ultra 7 155H targets Thin-and-light Performance / AI. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X; Core Ultra 7 155H rivals Ryzen 7 8840HS.

FeatureCore i7-13700KCore Ultra 7 155H
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 770
Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Thin-and-light Performance / AI