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 i9-13900K

2022

Why buy it

✅+10.2% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 265K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 97.5 vs 190.3 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).

Core Ultra 7 265K

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $290 less on MSRP ($309 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 95.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 190.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (36,309 vs 40,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).

Core i9-13900K

2022

Core Ultra 7 265K

2024

Why buy it

✅+10.2% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $290 less on MSRP ($309 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 95.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 190.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 265K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 97.5 vs 190.3 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (36,309 vs 40,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 36 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 265K better than Core i9-13900K?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 265K is ahead with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13900K pulls ahead with 10.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-13900K also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13900K is the better fit. You are getting 10.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).

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

Core Ultra 7 265K is the smarter buy today. Core Ultra 7 265K is $290 cheaper on MSRP at $309 MSRP versus $599 MSRP, and it gives you a 8.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i9-13900K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 10.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 95.2% better value on MSRP (190.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i9-13900K can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

Core Ultra 7 265K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). 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 i9-13900K Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 7 265K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 7 265K
1080p
low	325 FPS	305 FPS
medium	314 FPS	290 FPS
high	249 FPS	244 FPS
ultra	211 FPS	205 FPS
1440p
low	281 FPS	240 FPS
medium	241 FPS	201 FPS
high	179 FPS	163 FPS
ultra	158 FPS	142 FPS
4K
low	194 FPS	158 FPS
medium	165 FPS	132 FPS
high	123 FPS	102 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	89 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open Core Ultra 7 265K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 7 265K
1080p
low	756 FPS	778 FPS
medium	658 FPS	656 FPS
high	529 FPS	548 FPS
ultra	474 FPS	491 FPS
1440p
low	635 FPS	673 FPS
medium	573 FPS	595 FPS
high	472 FPS	499 FPS
ultra	390 FPS	422 FPS
4K
low	355 FPS	395 FPS
medium	324 FPS	357 FPS
high	304 FPS	335 FPS
ultra	270 FPS	292 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open Core Ultra 7 265K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 7 265K
1080p
low	765 FPS	851 FPS
medium	628 FPS	694 FPS
high	545 FPS	617 FPS
ultra	468 FPS	528 FPS
1440p
low	683 FPS	731 FPS
medium	570 FPS	599 FPS
high	488 FPS	521 FPS
ultra	426 FPS	442 FPS
4K
low	503 FPS	517 FPS
medium	441 FPS	436 FPS
high	394 FPS	396 FPS
ultra	336 FPS	337 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open Core Ultra 7 265K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 7 265K
1080p
low	1034 FPS	1128 FPS
medium	926 FPS	1015 FPS
high	812 FPS	889 FPS
ultra	722 FPS	808 FPS
1440p
low	859 FPS	892 FPS
medium	757 FPS	789 FPS
high	663 FPS	687 FPS
ultra	582 FPS	611 FPS
4K
low	634 FPS	604 FPS
medium	568 FPS	542 FPS
high	503 FPS	489 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	432 FPS

Open Core i9-13900K Open Core Ultra 7 265K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-13900K and Core Ultra 7 265K

Core i9-13900K

The Core i9-13900K 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 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 36 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: 58,373 points. Launch price was $589.

Core Ultra 7 265K

The Core Ultra 7 265K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,789 points. Launch price was $394.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-13900K packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 265K offers 20 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-13900K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.7 GHz on the Core i9-13900K versus 5.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265K — a 3.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900K (base: 3 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i9-13900K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 265K uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900K scores 58,373 against the Core Ultra 7 265K's 58,789 — a 0.7% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 40,000 vs 36,309 (9.7% advantage for the Core i9-13900K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,985 vs 3,283, a 9.5% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 19,967 vs 22,293 (11% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265K). L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900K vs 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 265K.

Feature	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 7 265K
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+20%	20 / 20
Boost Clock	5.7 GHz+4%	5.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.9 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)+20%	30 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)+50%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	58,373	58,789
Cinebench R23 Multi	40,000+10%	36,309
Geekbench 6 Single	2,985	3,283+10%
Geekbench 6 Multi	19,967	22,293+12%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 265K uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core Ultra 7 265K 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. Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z790,Intel Z690 (Core i9-13900K) and LGA1851 (Core Ultra 7 265K).

Feature	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 7 265K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	256 GB+33%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core Ultra 7 265K supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core i9-13900K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 265K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900K) and Arc Graphics 64EU (Core Ultra 7 265K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-13900K	Core Ultra 7 265K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Arc Graphics 64EU
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-13900K launched at $599 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 7 265K debuted at $309. On MSRP ($599 vs $309), the Core Ultra 7 265K is $290 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900K delivers 97.5 pts/$ vs 190.3 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 265K — making the Core Ultra 7 265K the 64.5% better value option.