CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-13850HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-13850HX is a formidable mobile processor engineered for enthusiast-grade gaming laptops and mobile workstations, boasting a massive 20-core design.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Near workstation-class performance for heavy rendering.
Excellent sustained performance in heavy multi-threaded workloads.
Gaming
Will not bottleneck any current mobile GPU.
Slight edge over 255HX in CPU-bound games due to 100MHz higher turbo.
Virtualization
Easily handles multiple heavy VMs.
20 physical cores are ideal for parallel virtualization.
Efficiency
Very high power draw and heat output.
Efficiency is secondary to raw performance, drawing up to 160W under load.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- DLBoost accelerates AI tasks
- High core count great for local inference
- Ample PCIe lanes for AI accelerators
- NPU 3 provides 13 TOPS
- Total platform AI is 33 TOPS
- Suitable for background blur and noise cancellation
Content Creation
Gaming
- Exceptional single-thread performance
- High cache size benefits gaming
- Requires top-tier cooling
- Higher clocks slightly reduce frame times
- Ideal for 240Hz+ gaming displays
- Requires top-tier discrete GPU pairing
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Massive 20-core / 28-thread count
- Excellent 5.3 GHz boost clock
- 30MB L3 cache improves gaming and rendering
- PCIe 5.0 and DDR5-5600 support
- Unlocked for overclocking
Cons
- Very high power consumption (157W turbo)
- Requires heavy cooling systems
- Expensive compared to lower-tier i7s
- Poor battery life
Pros
- High 5.3 GHz turbo clock
- 20 physical cores for heavy workloads
- Unlocked multiplier
- 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes
- Excellent desktop replacement performance
Cons
- Minimal upgrade over 255HX
- Very high power draw (160W)
- Low NPU TOPS for 2026 standards
- Heavy and hot laptop requirements
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-13850HX
- AMD Ryzen 9 7845HXRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13900HXRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i9-12900HXRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 6980HXRival
Mobile
Slightly cheaper with very similar gaming performance.
Compare head-to-headBetter value if you don't need 20 cores.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 7745HXAlt
Great single-core gaming performance at a lower price.
Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus
- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HXRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX3DRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 9 285HXRival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX PlusRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 9945HXRival
Mobile
Similar performance, possibly cheaper as stock clears.
Compare head-to-headPrevious gen, nearly identical performance.
Compare head-to-headBetter efficiency and AI performance for non-gaming tasks.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
An absolute powerhouse that blurs the line between desktop and mobile, offering i9-level core counts at a slightly lower price point.
Best for: High-end mobile workstations and enthusiast gaming laptops
Read the full reviewA solid refresh that squeezes more clock speed out of the Arrow Lake-HX die, maintaining its position as a top-tier mobile powerhouse.
Best for: Next-generation enthusiast gaming laptop
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-13850HX or Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-13850HX comes out ahead with a score of 9.1/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-13850HX or Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-13850HX leads with a gaming performance score of 92/100 among Intel Core i7-13850HX and Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus.
Do Intel Core i7-13850HX and Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-13850HX: Intel BGA 1964, Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus: Intel BGA 2114), so each needs a compatible motherboard.