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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core Ultra 5 225F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225F across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 31,541).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Core Ultra 5 225F

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +69.6% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $154 less on MSRP ($231 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Delivers 265.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Core Ultra 5 225F

2025

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core Ultra 5 225F needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +69.6% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $154 less on MSRP ($231 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Delivers 265.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225F across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 31,541).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225F better than Core i7-9700K?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 225F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 69.6% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data, 119.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 5 225F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 69.6% more average FPS across 2 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 225F is the better fit. You are getting 119.1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core Ultra 5 225F is the smarter buy today. Core Ultra 5 225F is $154 cheaper on MSRP at $231 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it gives you a 69.6% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 265.1% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core Ultra 5 225F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 10 threads instead of 8/8. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-9700K Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 5 225F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 225F
1080p
low	308 FPS	256 FPS
medium	278 FPS	244 FPS
high	231 FPS	208 FPS
ultra	182 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	270 FPS	219 FPS
medium	221 FPS	187 FPS
high	178 FPS	154 FPS
ultra	143 FPS	133 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	150 FPS
medium	140 FPS	127 FPS
high	108 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	86 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core Ultra 5 225F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 225F
1080p
low	360 FPS	603 FPS
medium	321 FPS	512 FPS
high	291 FPS	421 FPS
ultra	259 FPS	378 FPS
1440p
low	324 FPS	501 FPS
medium	282 FPS	441 FPS
high	258 FPS	372 FPS
ultra	225 FPS	319 FPS
4K
low	249 FPS	301 FPS
medium	221 FPS	266 FPS
high	208 FPS	248 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	218 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core Ultra 5 225F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 225F
1080p
low	360 FPS	789 FPS
medium	360 FPS	680 FPS
high	360 FPS	609 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	522 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	725 FPS
medium	360 FPS	588 FPS
high	360 FPS	515 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	439 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	504 FPS
medium	360 FPS	422 FPS
high	360 FPS	377 FPS
ultra	318 FPS	318 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core Ultra 5 225F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 225F
1080p
low	360 FPS	789 FPS
medium	360 FPS	789 FPS
high	360 FPS	777 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	699 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	789 FPS
medium	360 FPS	716 FPS
high	360 FPS	623 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	547 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	560 FPS
medium	360 FPS	510 FPS
high	360 FPS	457 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	402 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core Ultra 5 225F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-9700K and Core Ultra 5 225F

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

Core Ultra 5 225F

The Core Ultra 5 225F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 31,541 points. Launch price was $231.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core Ultra 5 225F's 31,541 — a 74.6% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 225F
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	10 / 10+25%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	3 MB (per core)+1100%
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	14,397	31,541+119%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	17,050
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,653
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	13,028

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225F — the Core Ultra 5 225F supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 225F supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 225F) — the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 225F
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-6400+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core Ultra 5 225F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core Ultra 5 225F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 225F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-9700K launched at $385 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 5 225F debuted at $231. On MSRP ($385 vs $231), the Core Ultra 5 225F is $154 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 136.5 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 225F — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 114% better value option.