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 i9-12950HX vs Core Ultra 5 225 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 i9-12950HX vs Core Ultra 5 225: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-12950HX

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core Ultra 5 225.

Core Ultra 5 225

2025

Why buy it

✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM2), unlike Core i9-12950HX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-12950HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,020 vs 23,113).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $240 MSRP, while Core i9-12950HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12950HX better than Core Ultra 5 225?

Yes. Core i9-12950HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 35.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 1.1% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12950HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% 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 i9-12950HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 35.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core i9-12950HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 5 225 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-12950HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $240 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 225 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (129.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 225 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12950HX vs Core Ultra 5 225 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-12950HX

The Core i9-12950HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,494 points. Launch price was $499.

Core Ultra 5 225

The Core Ultra 5 225 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: 31,137 points. Launch price was $246.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12950HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225 offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Core i9-12950HX has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-12950HX versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225 — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-12950HX (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-12950HX uses the Alder Lake-HX (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12950HX scores 31,494 against the Core Ultra 5 225's 31,137 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i9-12950HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 23,113 vs 17,020 (30.4% advantage for the Core i9-12950HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,349 vs 2,653, a 12.2% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,711 vs 13,028 (18.7% advantage for the Core i9-12950HX). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12950HX vs 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225.

Feature	Core i9-12950HX	Core Ultra 5 225
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+60%	10 / 10
Boost Clock	5 GHz+2%	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.3 GHz+43%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+50%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)+140%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-HX (2022)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	31,494+1%	31,137
Cinebench R23 Multi	23,113+36%	17,020
Geekbench 6 Single	2,349	2,653+13%
Geekbench 6 Multi	15,711+21%	13,028

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12950HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12950HX versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225 — the Core Ultra 5 225 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 225 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12950HX) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 225) — the Core Ultra 5 225 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i9-12950HX) and Z890,B860,H810 (Core Ultra 5 225).

Feature	Core i9-12950HX	Core Ultra 5 225
Socket	FCBGA1964	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-12950HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-12950HX) and Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores) (Core Ultra 5 225) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12950HX targets Mobile Workstation Flagship, Core Ultra 5 225 targets Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency. Direct competitor: Core i9-12950HX rivals Ryzen 9 6980HX; Core Ultra 5 225 rivals Ryzen 5 8600G.

Feature	Core i9-12950HX	Core Ultra 5 225
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores)
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mobile Workstation Flagship	Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency