CPU Comparison
Intel Core i9-13980HX vs Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i9-13980HX is a 24-core, 32-thread high-end mobile processor based on the Raptor Lake-HX architecture, designed for large gaming and workstation laptops that can handle its 55–157W power envelope. It combines eight Raptor Cove performance cores with sixteen Gracemont efficiency cores, reaching up to 5.6 GHz on the best P‑cores, making it one of the fastest mobile CPUs of its generation for both gaming and heavily threaded workloads.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Exceptional multi‑threaded performance for video encoding, rendering, and compilation, trading blows with 16‑core Zen 4 competitors while generally offering stronger gaming performance.
Handles heavily threaded tasks with ease, losing only 1-2% to the 285HX.
Gaming
Delivers very high FPS in CPU‑bound titles when paired with a fast GPU; often at or near the top of mobile charts in 13th‑gen comparisons, though gains over cheaper HX SKUs are modest in some games.
Performs identically to the flagship in GPU-bound scenarios.
Virtualization
32 threads and high clocks make running multiple VMs comfortable; power and thermal headroom are usually the limiting factor, not CPU capability.
Strong performance for local VMs, limited slightly by dual-channel memory.
Efficiency
At full tilt, it draws as much power as some desktop CPUs and runs hot, yielding lower performance‑per‑watt than AMD’s Dragon Range and Apple’s M‑series in efficiency‑focused metrics.
Power-hungry under load, requiring robust laptop cooling.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- CPU‑side AI workloads benefit from high core count and AVX2, but there is no dedicated NPU or deep‑learning accelerator.
- Suitable for small‑scale local inference and development; not comparable to specialized AI accelerators or newer NPUs.
- 13 TOPS NPU included
- Total Int8 TOPS up to 36
- Relies heavily on CPU/dGPU for heavy AI
Content Creation
Gaming
- Very high single‑threaded performance thanks to 5.6 GHz P‑cores.
- Capable of driving high‑refresh‑rate gaming at 1080p and 1440p with modern GPUs.
- Performance uplift over i9‑13900HX is small in many titles; main gains are in peak clocks and lightly‑threaded scenarios.
- Actual FPS heavily dependent on laptop power limits and cooling; some designs throttle under sustained load.
- 5.4 GHz turbo is plenty for high-refresh-rate gaming
- Won't bottleneck high-end mobile GPUs
- Overclockable to match higher-tier SKUs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 24 cores and 32 threads provide class‑leading multi‑threaded performance for a mobile CPU.
- 5.6 GHz max turbo enables very strong single‑threaded and gaming performance.
- Desktop‑derived silicon with unlocked multiplier appeals to enthusiasts and OEMs.
- Full DDR5‑5600 and PCIe 5.0 support keeps the platform competitive with contemporary high‑end laptops.
- Excellent for heavy multitasking, streaming, and workstation‑class workloads.
Cons
- High power draw (up to 157W turbo) requires robust cooling and limits battery life.
- Runs hot under sustained load; some laptops throttle or become loud.
- Efficiency lags AMD’s Ryzen 7045HX Dragon Range and Apple’s M‑series in performance‑per‑watt.
- Modest performance gains over the cheaper Core i9‑13900HX in many real‑world scenarios.
- Integrated UHD graphics are basic; you still need a discrete GPU for serious gaming or compute.
Pros
- Excellent value for 24-core performance
- Unlocked multiplier allows matching flagship clocks
- 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes for maximum expandability
- 36MB L3 cache keeps cores fed
- ECC memory support
Cons
- High power consumption (160W turbo)
- Requires heavy, thick laptop chassis for cooling
- Poor battery life efficiency
- Weak integrated graphics relative to CPU power
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i9-13980HX
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXRival
High-End Mobile (Dragon Range)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13950HXRival
High-End Mobile (Raptor Lake-HX, vPro)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-13900HXRival
High-End Mobile (Raptor Lake-HX)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7845HXRival
High-End Mobile (Dragon Range)
- Intel Core i9-12900HXRival
High-End Mobile (Alder Lake-HX, previous gen)
Direct successor with slightly higher clocks and refined behavior; choose this if you’re buying a new 14th‑gen laptop and want a more recent platform.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 7940HXAlt
Slightly cut‑down Dragon Range with 16 cores and lower power; a good compromise between performance and thermals in some designs.
Fewer cores but still strong gaming and creator performance; often better value and easier to cool in mid‑range laptops.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HXRival
Mobile (DTR)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXRival
Mobile (DTR)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-14900HXRival
Mobile (DTR)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 9 285HXRival
Mobile (DTR)
- Compare head-to-headApple M3 MaxRival
Mobile Workstation
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900HXAlt
A strong competitor for pure gaming performance.
A more budget-friendly option for mid-range gaming.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 8845HSAlt
If portability and battery life are higher priorities.
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3DAlt
Features 3D V-Cache for superior gaming cache.
Our Verdict on Each
A flagship 13th‑gen mobile HX CPU that delivers outright performance leadership at the cost of high power draw and heat, making it ideal only for well‑cooled, desktop‑replacement laptops.
Best for: You’re buying a high‑end gaming or workstation laptop with strong cooling and plan to keep it plugged in most of the time, and you want the absolute best CPU performance available in the 13th‑gen lineup.
Read the full reviewOffers 95% of the flagship's performance for a better value, maintaining the massive 24-core layout and unlocked overclocking.
Best for: The Core Ultra 9 275HX is highly recommended for gamers and creators seeking near-flagship performance without paying the absolute premium for the highest-tier chips. If you are looking at a high-end gaming laptop and the 275HX option is significantly cheaper than the 285HX, it is often the smarter buy, as the 100MHz difference is negligible in real-world scenarios. It retains the unlocked multiplier, 24 cores, and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, making it highly future-proof. However, like all HX chips, it requires a substantial cooling solution to manage its 160W turbo power, so prioritize laptops with robust thermal designs. Avoid this processor if you need a laptop for casual use or long battery life, as it is inefficient for light workloads. Pair it with a high-end GPU to get the most out of your investment.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i9-13980HX or Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX leads with a gaming performance score of 96/100 among Intel Core i9-13980HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX.
Do Intel Core i9-13980HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i9-13980HX: FCBGA1964, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX: Intel BGA 2114), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.