PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-11500 vs Core Ultra 5 228V FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-11500 vs Core Ultra 5 228V: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-11500

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $103 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $295 MSRP).
✅Delivers 54.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 57.5 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $295 MSRP).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,883 vs 9,932).
❌282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 228V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 228V

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 57.5 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($295 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 228V better than Core i5-11500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11500 is ahead with a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 228V pulls ahead with 0.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-11500 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 228V is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core Ultra 5 228V is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 5 228V comes in 53.6% more expensive on MSRP at $295 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i5-11500 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11500 is also 54.9% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 57.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 228V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-11500 vs Core Ultra 5 228V Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-11500

The Core i5-11500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,096 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 5 228V

The Core Ultra 5 228V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,955 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 228V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core Ultra 5 228V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 228V — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-11500 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 228V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500 scores 17,096 against the Core Ultra 5 228V's 16,955 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-11500. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 9,883 vs 9,932 (0.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 228V). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,064 vs 2,585, a 22.4% lead for the Core Ultra 5 228V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,564 vs 10,053 (16% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 228V). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 228V.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core Ultra 5 228V
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+2%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+29%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+10140%	2.5 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	17,096	16,955
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,883	9,932
Geekbench 6 Single	2,064	2,585+25%
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,564	10,053+17%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 228V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500 versus LPDDR5X-8533 on the Core Ultra 5 228V — the Core Ultra 5 228V supports 166.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-11500 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11500) vs 8 (Core Ultra 5 228V) — the Core i5-11500 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,Z590,H470,Z490 (Core i5-11500) and SoC (Core Ultra 5 228V).

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core Ultra 5 228V
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	LPDDR5X-8533+167%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+150%	8

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-11500 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500) vs Yes (Core Ultra 5 228V). Both include integrated graphics — UHD 750 (Core i5-11500) and Arc 130V (Core Ultra 5 228V) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core Ultra 5 228V
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD 750	Arc 130V
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500 was priced at $192, while the Core Ultra 5 228V came in at $295. On launch pricing ($192 vs $295), Core i5-11500 was $103 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500 delivers 89.0 pts/$ vs 57.5 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 228V — making the Core i5-11500 the 43.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core Ultra 5 228V
MSRP	$192-35%	$295
Performance per Dollar	89.0+55%	57.5
Release Date	2021	2024

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