Core i9 13980HX vs Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Core i9 13980HX | Core Ultra 7 270K Plus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench 2024 single-core | 129 | 145 | -11.0% |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 2,014 | 2,482 | -18.9% |
| Cores | 24 (8P+16E) | 24 (8P+16E) | — |
| TDP (base W) | 45 | 125 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 45,447 | 68,609 | -33.8% |
| Street price (USD) | $668 | $350 | +90.9% |
- Core i9 13980HX is slower than Core Ultra 7 270K Plus by 11.0% in single-core and slower by 18.9% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
- Core i9 13980HX draws less power (45W vs 125W base TDP).
Verdict: Core i9 13980HX or Core Ultra 7 270K Plus?
Core i9 13980HX advantages
- Power efficiency (+64%)
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus advantages
- Single-core speed (+11%)
- Multi-core speed (+19%)
- Affordability (+48%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Core i9 13980HX if you want a cooler, quieter and more power-efficient build.
- Choose the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Value for money
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Core i9 13980HX vs Core Ultra 7 270K Plus: which should you choose?
Core i9 13980HX — 24-core Intel processor (8P+16E) scoring 129 single-core and 2014 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 45 W TDP.
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus — 24-core Intel processor (8P+16E) scoring 145 single-core and 2482 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 125 W TDP and 36 MB L3 cache.
Core i9 13980HX vs Core Ultra 7 270K Plus: Core Ultra 7 270K Plus leads in multi-core performance. Core i9 13980HX is slower than Core Ultra 7 270K Plus by 11.0% in single-core and slower by 18.9% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core i9 13980HX draws less power (45W vs 125W base TDP).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus leads there with a single-core score of 145 versus 129, so it is the marginally better pick for high-refresh gaming — though at typical resolutions the GPU usually decides frame rates.
Content creation and multitasking
For rendering, compilation, video export and other all-core workloads, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is stronger, posting 2,482 multi-core against 2,014 in Cinebench 2024. Its 24 cores (8 performance + 16 efficiency) give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The Core i9 13980HX is the more efficient chip at 45 W versus 125 W, which means less heat, quieter cooling and lower running costs under sustained load.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the processor comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9 13980HX better than the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus?
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. Core i9 13980HX is slower than Core Ultra 7 270K Plus by 11.0% in single-core and slower by 18.9% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
What is the main difference between the Core i9 13980HX and the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus?
Core i9 13980HX is slower than Core Ultra 7 270K Plus by 11.0% in single-core and slower by 18.9% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core i9 13980HX draws less power (45W vs 125W base TDP).
Which is better value?
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the Core i9 13980HX if you want a cooler, quieter and more power-efficient build. Choose the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Methodology
Processors are compared on Cinebench 2024 single-core and multi-core scores from published leaderboard results, alongside core configuration (performance + efficiency cores), base TDP, L3 cache, PassMark CPU Mark, 1080p gaming scores and street pricing where measured. Cinebench reflects rendering-style workloads; gaming performance depends heavily on the GPU and the specific title, so treat single-core standing as directional. Figures reflect the leaderboard snapshot on the page date.