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 i9-10980XE vs Core Ultra 5 225F 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 i9-10980XE vs Core Ultra 5 225F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-10980XE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+23.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.9 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($979 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225F moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 225F

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $748 less on MSRP ($231 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 315.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10980XE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,050 vs 24,309).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10980XE better than Core Ultra 5 225F?

Yes. Core i9-10980XE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 42.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 2.0% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10980XE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% 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 i9-10980XE is the stronger fit. You are getting 42.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 23.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core i9-10980XE is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 5 225F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-10980XE comes in 323.8% more expensive on MSRP at $979 MSRP versus $231 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 225F is also 315.3% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 32.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1851 + DDR5 setup, Core Ultra 5 225F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core Ultra 5 225F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-10980XE vs Core Ultra 5 225F Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-10980XE

The Core i9-10980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 32,187 points. Launch price was $979.

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 i9-10980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Core i9-10980XE has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10980XE versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F (base: 3 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-10980XE uses the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10980XE scores 32,187 against the Core Ultra 5 225F's 31,541 — a 2% lead for the Core i9-10980XE. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 24,309 vs 17,050 (35.1% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,242 vs 2,653, a 72.5% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,275 vs 13,028 (22.2% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE vs 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Core Ultra 5 225F
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+80%	10 / 10
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	4.9 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.3 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)+24%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)+200%
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Cascade Lake-X (2019)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	32,187+2%	31,541
Cinebench R23 Multi	24,309+43%	17,050
Geekbench 6 Single	1,242	2,653+114%
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,275+25%	13,028

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10980XE uses the LGA2066 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 DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225F — the Core Ultra 5 225F supports 118.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 256 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 2 (Core Ultra 5 225F). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 225F) — the Core i9-10980XE offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-10980XE) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F).

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Core Ultra 5 225F
Socket	LGA2066	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR5-6400+118%
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	256 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	48+100%	24

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Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i9-10980XE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225F).

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Core Ultra 5 225F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10980XE was priced at $979, while the Core Ultra 5 225F came in at $231. On launch pricing ($979 vs $231), Core Ultra 5 225F was $748 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10980XE delivers 32.9 pts/$ vs 136.5 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 225F — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 122.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Core Ultra 5 225F
MSRP	$979	$231-76%
Performance per Dollar	32.9	136.5+315%
Release Date	2019	2025

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