12th Gen Intel® Core™ processors, otherwise known as Alder Lake, ushered in a new era for PCs. They not only introduced our innovative performance hybrid architecture, but also led the adoption of cutting-edge interfaces like DDR5 and PCI Express 5. The latest 13th Gen Intel® Core™ raises the bar even higher. Codenamed Raptor Lake, it builds upon the success of the previous generation by adding more cores, higher clocks, and bigger caches.

Our new 13th Gen Core family has options for a wide range of systems, from powerful desktops to power-efficient laptops. HX processors sit in the middle of that spectrum, deploying the desktop die in a mobile-optimized package that can squeeze into systems as slim as 20mm. They’re designed to deliver unrivaled mobile performance for those who need it most: gamers, creators, scientists, and engineers.

With clock speeds ramping up to 5.6GHz, the flagship Intel Core i9-13980HX is the fastest mobile processor ever.¹ It’s also the world’s first 24-core laptop CPU, flexing 32 threads to achieve multi-threaded performance just over 30% higher than the previous generation HX processor², and up to 49% higher than the Core i9-12980HK it will replace in many high-end laptops.³

Those superlatives are just the start. Let’s go under the hood for a deeper look at Raptor Lake HX processors.

Architectural refinements and additional cores

Alder Lake introduced a unique approach to processor design that mixes Performance-cores (P-cores) built for speed with Efficient-cores (E-cores) tuned for background tasks and multithreaded work. Tasks are assigned to different types of cores based on guidance from Intel Thread Director technology, which uses real-time feedback from the hardware to optimally balance the workload.

With the next generation, we’re bringing more of a good thing. The P-cores have a larger L2 cache, with up to 2MB per core, along with improved speed paths that enable higher clocks. Raptor Lake HX processors also double up on E-cores, with up to 16 per chip, and each quad-core cluster boasts double the L2 cache of the previous generation. Smarter prefetch algorithms in both types of cores keep the caches well fed.

Thread Director is smarter, as well. With multitasking in Windows 11, it can now shift background work to idle P-cores to enable quicker execution without slowing down the primary application. For a single processor-intensive task like rendering a 3D scene or video project, Thread Director can light up as many cores as the application supports. The conductor of our performance hybrid orchestra also plugs into Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology. Available exclusively to laptop makers, this software dynamically optimizes system performance, thermals, and battery life.

Optimized fabrication in a slim package

We build 13th Gen Core HX processors on a refined version of the Intel 7 fabrication process. While equivalent desktop chips use a variation of this node tuned for maximum speed, mobile versions get a different flavor optimized for lower power. They still offer a big increase in clock speeds over the previous generation, with the i9-13950HX pushing 600MHz higher than its Alder Lake counterpart. That’s good for an 11% boost in single-threaded performance to complement the over 30% increase in multi-threaded oomph. Impressively, these gains are all available within the same power envelope as 12th Gen HX processors.

This class of performance was previously limited to beefier desktop replacements, but HX processors bring it to a broader range of laptops. In the past, our fastest mobile CPUs took the desktop package and swapped the pins for a ball grid array that can be soldered directly onto a motherboard. Starting with Alder Lake HX, we re-introduced this BGA package that slims down the package to bring the total z-height down to just 2mm. Think of it as an athletic fit – a slimmer profile than baggier cuts, but with more room for muscle than skinny jeans.

More memory at higher speeds

A full complement of cores isn’t the only thing 13th Gen Core HX processors inherit from the desktop. They can also accommodate up to 128GB of RAM, which is helpful for the massive datasets faced by many mobile workstations. Raptor Lake retains support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, providing partners with additional flexibility, though most will use the latest DDR5. After introducing that technology to laptops with Alder Lake, we’ve pushed our second-generation memory controller to reach even higher speeds, up from 4800 MT/s to 5600 MT/s on select models.

HX processors that are part of the Intel vPro® platform add support for Error Correction Code (ECC) typically found in servers. ECC is designed to find and fix soft memory errors that can potentially corrupt files or crash systems, so it provides a valuable layer of protection for professionals. This kind of implementation should not be confused with the on-die ECC available in DDR5, which is limited to correcting errors within individual memory chips rather than those that occur between the memory controller and module.

Cutting-edge connectivity inside and out

PCI Express 5.0 first arrived in notebooks with 12th Gen Core processors. It continues in 13th Gen, with HX processors capable of providing 16 lanes to a discrete GPU or splitting them evenly between a pair of x8 links for graphics and storage. Professional workflows that wrangle extremely large files can benefit from the additional bandwidth available with the latest PCIe 5.0 SSDs. There's also plenty of capacity for additional high-speed storage via four PCIe 4.0 lanes connected directly to the CPU and another 16 in the chipset, or PCH. Some of our laptop partners are offering models that support up to four SSDs, enabling 32TB of storage when using the 8TB drives available today.

Raptor Lake HX processors support dynamic power sharing between the CPU and discrete GPU, a measure that helps optimize performance in slimmer systems. Laptop makers can route discrete graphics output through a MUX switch that lets you toggle between a direct link to the display, which can offer higher performance, and piping output through the integrated graphics processor on the CPU, which enables lower power consumption when the discrete GPU is idle.

Laptops that pair the IGP with our new Hayden Bridge Thunderbolt re-timer let you drive higher resolutions, refresh rates, and bit depths over a single cable via DisplayPort 2.1. The specification enables premium configurations like single 8K display at 60Hz with 10-bit color for HDR, or dual 4K displays at 144Hz with 8-bit true color. And you can go even further with Display Stream Compression, which enables resolutions up to 16K.

USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports integrated into the chipset provide additional connectivity options, and the platform supports up to two discrete Thunderbolt 4 controllers. Thunderbolt is ideal for connecting multiple high-bandwidth devices over a single cable. Our new re-timer for this generation helps preserve signal integrity over longer traces to enable both USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 and DisplayPort 2.1 on laptops.

Our HX Series processors are paired with a discrete PCH that brings support for up to four Thunderbolt 4 connections along with Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+) networking. Laptop makers can equip their systems with ultra-fast wireless that supports an exclusive 6GHz band on compatible networks.⁴ The PCH also has ample PCIe 3.0 lanes for additional network controllers, like multi-gigabit Ethernet. Maximizing so many high-bandwidth devices require a fast connection to the CPU, so we use a wide DMI 4.0 x8 link between the PCH and processor.

Stacking the deck with a full lineup

The 13th Gen HX processor lineup spans a full range between Core i5, i7, and i9 models. The top-of-the-line Core i9-13980HX combines eight P-cores with 16 E-cores to deliver 24 cores and 32 threads. That’s a huge step up from our most powerful Raptor Lake H processor, whose 6P+8E configuration brings 14 cores and 20 threads. While H-series processors provide ample power for gaming and content creation, HX take heavy lifting to another level.

Overclocking on H-series processors is limited to the top HK model, but HX provides greater flexibility, with the ability to adjust clock speeds across the entire series. The maximum memory speed rises as you climb the stack, peaking at 5600 MT/s for HX-series models including the Core i7-13850HX. Options with ECC support are available at each tier; look for those in mobile workstations with an Intel vPro® Enterprise badge.

Take desktop-class performance to go

Raptor Lake raises expectations for the performance that’s possible in modern laptops and mobile workstations. And the benefits go beyond performance, combining with additional features like Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt 4, and the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility to make the Core i9-13980HX the best gaming laptop platform.⁵

We’re excited to see partners developing over 60 laptop designs based on 13th Gen Intel Core HX processors. That’s five times more systems than we had for 12th Gen HX, signaling a significant commitment to the new generation. We also expect to see Raptor Lake HX laptops in Core i5, i7, and i9 configurations starting at lower prices than equivalent Alder Lake models, making more power more affordable.

Notices and Disclaimers

For all performance claim workload and configuration details, see www.intel.com/PerformanceIndex.

1. At 5.6GHz, 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX is the fastest mobile processor as of December 2022.

2. As measured by SPECrate*2017_int_base (n copy) on 13th Gen Intel® Core™i9-13950HX processor with RTX 3080Ti vs. 12th Gen Intel® Core™i9- 12900HX with RTX 3080Ti.

3. As measured by SPECrate*2017_int_base (n copy) on 13th Gen Intel® Core™i9-13950HX processor with RTX 3080Ti vs. 12th Gen Intel® Core™i9- 12980HK with RTX 3080Ti.

4. Subject to 6 GHz band availability, operating system support, and router compatibility.

5. As measured by unique features and superior in-game benchmark mode performance of 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-13950HX with NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti GPU vs 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-12900HX with same GPU and vs AMD R9-6900HX with same GPU as of December 1st, 2022.

For more information about wireless claims, see intel.com/performance-wireless.
For more information about wired claims, see intel.com/performance-wired.

Performance varies by use, configuration and other factors. Learn more at www.Intel.com/PerformanceIndex.

Overclocking may void warranty or affect system health. Learn more at intel.com/overclocking. Results may vary.

Performance hybrid architecture combines two core microarchitectures, Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-cores), on a single processor die first introduced on 12th Gen Intel Core processors. Select 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors do not have performance hybrid architecture, only P-cores, and have same cache size as prior generation; see ark.intel.com for SKU details.

Built into the hardware, Intel® Thread Director is provided only in performance hybrid architecture configurations of 12th Gen or newer Intel® Core™ processors; OS enablement is required. Available features and functionality vary by OS.