Intel Core i5-13500H vs Intel Core i7-13650HX vs Intel Core i9-13950HX

Intel Core i5-13500H

The Intel Core i5-13500H is a mid-range mobile CPU for laptops based on the Raptor Lake-H series (Alder Lake or Raptor Lake architecture). It was announced in early 2023 and offers 4 of the 6 performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and all 8 efficient cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support Hyper-Threading leading to 16 supported threads when combined with the E-cores. The clock rate ranges from 2.6 to 4.7 GHz (single core boost, all core up to 4.6 GHz) on the performance cluster and 1.9 to 3.5 GHz on the efficient cluster. The performance of the E-cores should be similar to old Skylake cores (compare to the Core i7-6700HQ). All cores can use up to 18 MB L3 cache. 

Performance

Thanks to the higher clock speeds of the improved Intel 7 process, the Core i5-13500H can surpass the old Core i5-12600H (e.g., + 200 MHz boost).

Features

The integrated memory controller supports various memory types up to DDR5-5200 (up from DDR5-4800 of the i5-12500H). The Thread Director (in hardware) can support the operating system to decide which thread to use on the performance or efficient cores for the best performance. For AI tasks, the CPU also integrates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost (via AVX2). Quick Sync in version 8 is the same as in the Rocket Lake CPUs and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC, and AV1 decode in hardware. The CPU now supports PCIe 5.0 x8 for a GPU and two PCIe 4.0 x4 for SSDs.

The integrated graphics card is based on the Xe-architecture and offers 80 of the 96 EUs (Execution Units).

The CPU is rated at 45 W base power (95 W PL2) but most laptops will use a PL1 of around 60 Watt. The SoC is manufactured in a further improved 10nm process at Intel, which is known as Intel 7.

Intel Core i7-13650HX

The Intel Core i5-13650HX is a fast high-end mobile processor of the Raptor Lake series. Is was announced in early 2023. The CPU integrates 6 fast Raptor Cove performance cores (P-cores) with Hyper-Threading and 8 Gracemont efficiency cores without HyperThreading. The P-Cores clock between 2.6 GHz (base) up to 4.9 GHz (single core boost, all-core 4.5 GHz). The smaller E-Cores clock between 1.9 and 3.6 GHz.

Compared to Alder Lake, Raptor Lake offers improved P-Cores (Raptor Cove micro-architecture) with bigger Caches and more E-Cores (same Gracemont micro-architecture). Furthermore, the chip supports faster DDR5 memory (up to 5600 MHz for the 13980HX, but only 4800 MHz for the i5).

Performance

The average 13650HX in our database is in the same league as the Core i7-13700HX and the Core i9-12950HX, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned.

Your mileage may vary depending on how high the CPU power limits are and how competent the cooling solution of your system is.

The CPU is still produced on a further improved 10nm FinFET process (Intel 7) that allows the higher clock speeds. The power consumption is specified at 55W base power up to 157 Watt max. Turbo power.

Intel Core i9-13950HX

The Intel Core i9-13950HX is a fast high-end mobile processor of the Raptor Lake-HX series. Is was announced in early 2023 and is based on the desktop Core i9-13000K with combined 24 cores and 32 threads. Eight fast Raptor Cove performance cores (P-cores) clocked from 2.2 to 5.5 GHz (single core, all core boost 4.9 GHz) with HyperThreading and sixteen Gracemont efficiency cores without HyperThreading clocked from 1.6 to 4 GHz. The 13950HX is very similar to the Core i9-13980HX, but with vPro Enterprise support and a 100 MHz reduced boost of the P-cores.

Compared to Alder Lake, Raptor Lake offers improved P-cores (Raptor Cove micro-architecture) with bigger Caches and more E-Cores (same Gracemont micro-architecture). Furthermore, the chip supports faster DDR5 memory (up to 5600 MHz for the 13980HX).

Performance

The average 13950HX in our database is in the same league as the i9-13980HX and the i9-13900HX while being noticeably faster than the Ryzen 9 7845HX, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. This is a very, very fast chip, as of mid 2023.

Thanks to its powerful cooling solution and a long-term CPU power limit of 145 W, the MSI GE78HX 13VH-070US is among the fastest laptops built around the 13950HX that we know of.

Power consumption

The chip's "minimum assured" power consumption is 45 W while its Turbo power consumption isn't supposed to go over 157 W. Intel suggests the "base" power consumption should be set to 55 W, which laptop makers aren't really obliged to do. Most will go for a higher value to get better performance.

This i9 series processor is manufactured on Intel's 4th generation 10 nm process marketed as Intel 7 for average, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.