Core i9-13900KS
24C/32T · 6.0 GHz · 150 W · PassMark #170
Core Ultra 9 285K
Arrow Lake · 24C · 5.7 GHz · LGA1851
Core Ultra 9 285K takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Core i9-13900KS lands at 33 and Core Ultra 9 285K at 89. That puts Core Ultra 9 285K ahead by 56 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Core i9-13900KS if…
- ✓PassMark #170 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $521
Pick Core Ultra 9 285K if…
- ✓Far more efficient than 14900K
- ✓Strong multi-thread productivity
- ✓New LGA1851 platform with DDR5-6400
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Core Ultra 9 285KSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Core Ultra 9 285K more score per dollar ($589 vs $521).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Core i9-13900KS | Core Ultra 9 285K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24 (8P + 16E) | 24 (8P + 16E) |
| Threads | ▲ 32 | 24 |
| Base clock | 3.2 GHz (P) / 2.4 GHz (E) | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 6.0 GHz | 5.7 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB | 36 MB |
| TDP | 150 W base / 253 W max | 125 W (PL1) / 250 W (PL2) |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA1851 |
| Class | Desktop | — |
| PassMark rank | #170 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 60,485 | — |
| Process | — | TSMC N3B |
| iGPU | — | Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG, 4 Xe cores @ 2.0 GHz) |
| NPU | — | 13 TOPS |
| Memory | — | DDR5-6400 |
Core i9-13900KS
- +PassMark #170 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $521
- −Requires recent-generation motherboard and DDR5 memory
- −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings
Core Ultra 9 285K
- +Far more efficient than 14900K
- +Strong multi-thread productivity
- +New LGA1851 platform with DDR5-6400
- −Gaming regresses vs 14900K in some titles
- −No hyper-threading (24 threads from 24 cores)
- −13 TOPS NPU is modest
FAQ: Core i9-13900KS vs Core Ultra 9 285K
Which is better, Core i9-13900KS or Core Ultra 9 285K? +
Core Ultra 9 285K scores 89 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 56. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Core i9-13900KS worth the price? +
At $521, Core i9-13900KS delivers a Specdex score of 33 — strongest in passmark.
Is Core Ultra 9 285K worth the price? +
At $589, Core Ultra 9 285K delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in multi.
Does Core i9-13900KS or Core Ultra 9 285K last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, Core i9-13900KS or Core Ultra 9 285K? +
Core Ultra 9 285K — more score per dollar ($589 vs $521). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.