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: +8.5% higher average FPS across 35 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 5 235HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

Core Ultra 5 235HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 35 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (21,677 vs 31,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).

Core i7-13700K

2022

Core Ultra 5 235HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.5% higher average FPS across 35 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 235HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 35 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (21,677 vs 31,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Core Ultra 5 235HX?

Yes. Core i7-13700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 8.5% average FPS lead across 35 shared CPU game tests in our data, 43% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 14.1% 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 8.5% more average FPS across 35 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 43% 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 $409 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 8.5% average FPS lead across 35 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 235HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 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 i7-13700K Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 5 235HX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core Ultra 5 235HX
1080p
low	284 FPS	264 FPS
medium	268 FPS	252 FPS
high	223 FPS	213 FPS
ultra	190 FPS	181 FPS
1440p
low	238 FPS	222 FPS
medium	200 FPS	189 FPS
high	159 FPS	154 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	134 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	150 FPS
medium	134 FPS	127 FPS
high	103 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	87 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core Ultra 5 235HX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core Ultra 5 235HX
1080p
low	689 FPS	656 FPS
medium	580 FPS	557 FPS
high	484 FPS	465 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	421 FPS
1440p
low	595 FPS	572 FPS
medium	525 FPS	503 FPS
high	441 FPS	421 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	360 FPS
4K
low	348 FPS	338 FPS
medium	314 FPS	303 FPS
high	295 FPS	287 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	251 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core Ultra 5 235HX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core Ultra 5 235HX
1080p
low	648 FPS	839 FPS
medium	530 FPS	685 FPS
high	467 FPS	610 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	522 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	727 FPS
medium	491 FPS	596 FPS
high	427 FPS	519 FPS
ultra	371 FPS	441 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	504 FPS
medium	374 FPS	425 FPS
high	339 FPS	382 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	323 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core Ultra 5 235HX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Core Ultra 5 235HX
1080p
low	970 FPS	1001 FPS
medium	883 FPS	906 FPS
high	766 FPS	786 FPS
ultra	689 FPS	714 FPS
1440p
low	829 FPS	820 FPS
medium	740 FPS	729 FPS
high	642 FPS	631 FPS
ultra	566 FPS	560 FPS
4K
low	567 FPS	559 FPS
medium	515 FPS	505 FPS
high	463 FPS	452 FPS
ultra	404 FPS	399 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Core Ultra 5 235HX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Core Ultra 5 235HX

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.

Core Ultra 5 235HX

The Core Ultra 5 235HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 40,122 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235HX offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235HX — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses Arrow Lake-HX (2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Core Ultra 5 235HX's 40,122 — a 13.2% lead for the Core i7-13700K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 31,000 vs 21,677 (35.4% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,846 vs 2,600, a 9% lead for the Core i7-13700K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,980 vs 14,000 (30.2% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 235HX.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+14%	14 / 14
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+6%	5.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+17%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+25%	24 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-HX (2025)
PassMark	45,784+14%	40,122
Cinebench R23 Multi	31,000+43%	21,677
Geekbench 6 Single	2,846+9%	2,600
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,980+36%	14,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses FCBGA2114 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700K) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 235HX) — the Core Ultra 5 235HX offers 4 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 HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 5 235HX).

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2114
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 235HX). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-13700K) and Intel Graphics (48EU) (Core Ultra 5 235HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 235HX targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.