Core i5-11500 vs Core Ultra 5 235U

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 235U 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 235U: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 750, while Core Ultra 5 235U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 235U.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 235U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,096 vs 17,397).
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 235U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌364.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 14W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 235U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 235U

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 14W instead of 65W, a 51W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 235U better than Core i5-11500?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 235U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 5 235U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 235U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 235U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 5 235U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11500 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 235U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 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 235U 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 235U

The Core Ultra 5 235U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,397 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 235U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 235U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235U — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235U (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-11500 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 235U uses Arrow Lake-U (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500 scores 17,096 against the Core Ultra 5 235U's 17,397 — a 1.7% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500 vs 12 MB on the Core Ultra 5 235U.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core Ultra 5 235U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 14+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.9 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+13%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Arrow Lake-U (2025)
PassMark	17,096	17,397+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,883	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,064	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,564	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 235U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core Ultra 5 235U
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 235U). The Core i5-11500 includes integrated graphics (UHD 750), while the Core Ultra 5 235U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.