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Intel Core i9-13900KS vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF: Comparison
What is the difference between Core i9-13900KS and Core Ultra 7 265KF?
There is no decisive spec gap here. Total cores splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Core i9-13900KS 24 against Core Ultra 7 265KF 20. The benchmark result agrees. Blender Cycles (CPU) puts Core i9-13900KS 6% ahead, 507 against 475 over 12 runs. L3 cache runs the same way, 36 MB on the Core i9-13900KS versus 30 MB on the Core Ultra 7 265KF, another win for Core i9-13900KS. They differ on integrated graphics too, Yes on the Core i9-13900KS versus No on the Core Ultra 7 265KF.
Who each one is for
The Core i9-13900KS suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. Buy the Core Ultra 7 265KF for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Core i9-13900KS (8.7/10): the Intel Core i9-13900KS is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock. Our rating of the Core Ultra 7 265KF (8.5/10): the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is a flagship unlocked desktop Arrow Lake-S processor, a solid pick for overclocking enthusiasts.
Which is cheaper, Core i9-13900KS or Core Ultra 7 265KF?
Cost splits them too. Core Ultra 7 265KF sits at $379, Core i9-13900KS at $689, 82% more.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: performance cores, p-core boost clock, form factor, market segment and unlocked multiplier are identical here. They match on 2 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i9-13900KS and Core Ultra 7 265KF differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 16 on the Core i9-13900KS versus 12 on the Core Ultra 7 265KF.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the Core i9-13900KS and Core Ultra 7 265KF?
It is. Both are listed at 2, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Desktop
Codename
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Raptor Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Arrow Lake-S
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2023
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 2024
TDP
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 150 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- None
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Raptor Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Arrow Lake-S
Socket
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- FCLGA1851
Socket Status
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- End of Life
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Current
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 10 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 24Best
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 20
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 16Best
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 12
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32Best
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 20
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 3.2 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3.9 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5.4 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 5.4 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2.4 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3.3 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 4.3 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 4.6 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32 MB-11%
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 36 MBBest
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 36 MBBest
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 30 MB-17%
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 150 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 253 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 250 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- DDR5
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5600 MT/s
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 6400 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 192 GB
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 256 GBBest
ECC Support
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 20-17%
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 24
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- $689
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- $379
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Retail
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 507Best
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 475-6%
Blender 4.5, Blender Open Data (CC0). Median of monster + junkshop + classroom, combined samples/min.
Renders a 3D scene using every core. Shows speed for 3D and rendering work, not gaming.
Which one should you pick?
Choose 13900KS if you want the higher L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher blender cycles (CPU) (507 vs 475).
Choose 265KF if you want the higher L2 cache (36 MB vs 32 MB) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 20).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i9-13900KS | Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $689.00 View on Amazon | $379.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Micro Center | View on Micro Center |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Intel Core i9-13900KS
8.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-13900KS is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is a flagship unlocked desktop Arrow Lake-S processor, a solid pick for overclocking enthusiasts.