CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-13700H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135H
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-13700H is a high-performance mobile processor designed for thin-and-light gaming laptops and portable creator workstations.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Easily handles 4K video editing and heavy multi-tasking.
Strong multi-core performance for compiling and rendering.
Gaming
Provides high frame rates when paired with RTX 4050/4060 mobile GPUs.
Can play modern titles at 1080p medium settings thanks to the 96EU iGPU.
Virtualization
Adequate for light VM usage on the go.
Handles multiple VMs effectively with 18 threads.
Efficiency
Excellent power scaling for battery life during light tasks.
Good efficiency at idle, but consumes significant power under load.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Good CPU inference capabilities.
- Integrated GPU can assist with light AI workloads via OpenVINO.
- 11 TOPS NPU offloads background AI
- Strong CPU/GPU AI performance for bursty tasks
- Good for local LLM inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Rarely bottlenecks mobile GPUs up to RTX 4070.
- Intel Thread Director ensures smooth background task management.
- 96EU Arc graphics is a major step up
- Supports hardware ray tracing
- Best paired with fast LPDDR5X memory
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent single-threaded performance
- Great hybrid core balance for mobile
- Supports fast LPDDR5 memory
- Integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics
- PCIe 5.0 support for storage
Cons
- BGA socket means it cannot be upgraded
- Thermal throttling is common in thin laptops
- 115W turbo power is hard to sustain on battery
Pros
- Strong multi-core performance
- Excellent 96EU Arc integrated graphics
- PCIe Gen 5 support
- Integrated NPU for AI
- High maximum turbo power (115W)
Cons
- Can run hot under sustained load
- Battery life is shorter than U-series
- Only 8 PCIe Gen 5 lanes
- Locked multiplier
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-13700H
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HSRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 7940HSRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13900HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2 ProRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-13500HRival
Mobile
Slightly higher clocks if you want a bit more peak performance.
Compare head-to-headFor desktop-replacement laptops needing true 16-core power.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core Ultra 5 135H
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HSRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 8640HSRival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M3 ProRival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
Mobile
Slightly lower clocks for a cheaper price.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 7640HSAlt
Strong budget-performance alternative.
- Intel Core i5-13500HXAlt
Older but offers more raw cores if portability isn't key.
Our Verdict on Each
An excellent mobile CPU that offers a perfect sweet spot of clock speeds and core counts for premium thin-and-light laptops.
Best for: Purchasing a thin-and-light gaming or creator laptop.
Read the full reviewA strong performer in the thin-performance category, offering excellent multi-core capabilities and strong integrated graphics.
Best for: If you are a content creator, programmer, or moderate gamer seeking a laptop that balances power and portability, the Core Ultra 5 135H is a smart investment. Its 14-core design and 96EU integrated graphics handle video editing and 1080p gaming admirably. Ensure the laptop has adequate cooling, as the processor can draw up to 115W during sustained loads. Avoid this chip if you strictly need all-day battery life in a thin chassis; the U-series would be more appropriate. For users wanting to future-proof their purchase for AI-enhanced applications without paying for a higher-tier Core Ultra 7, the 135H strikes an excellent price-to-performance ratio in the premium mobile space.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-13700H or Intel Core Ultra 5 135H?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-13700H leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Intel Core i7-13700H and Intel Core Ultra 5 135H.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-13700H (45 W), Intel Core Ultra 5 135H (28 W).
Do Intel Core i7-13700H and Intel Core Ultra 5 135H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-13700H: Intel BGA 1744, Intel Core Ultra 5 135H: Intel BGA 2049), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-13700H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-13700H (32,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.