Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i5-13420H (Intel, 2023) and Core Ultra 5 135U (Intel, 2024) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i5-13420H is about 33.3% faster
Both use the same BGA socket, so they can be installed on the same motherboard. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i5-13420H | Ultra 5 135U |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 20,000 | 15,000 |
| Generation | 13th Gen | Core Ultra |
| Socket | BGA | BGA |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2024 |
| Type | Laptop | Laptop |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU | GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i5-13420H |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Either works (same BGA socket) |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | Ultra 5 135U (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i5-13420H is about 33.3% higher by score (i5-13420H: 20000 points / Ultra 5 135U: 15000 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
i5-13420H is 13th Gen, while Ultra 5 135U is Core Ultra.Both use the same BGA socket, so they can be installed on the same motherboard.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU pairs well with i5-13420H and GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU pairs well with Ultra 5 135U. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
