Core i9-12950HX vs Core Ultra 5 225F
Core i9-12950HX
Core Ultra 5 225F
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12950HX
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 225F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-12950HX | Core Ultra 5 225F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-HX (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-12950HX | Core Ultra 5 225F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-12950HX and Core Ultra 5 225F
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 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.
Processing Power
The Core i9-12950HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225F 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 225F — 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 225F uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12950HX scores 31,494 against the Core Ultra 5 225F's 31,541 — a 0.1% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 23,113 vs 17,050 (30.2% 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 225F 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 225F.
| Feature | Core i9-12950HX | Core Ultra 5 225F |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 31,541 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 23,113+36% | 17,050 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,349 | 2,653+13% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 15,711+21% | 13,028 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-12950HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. 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: 20 (Core i9-12950HX) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 225F) — the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM670,WM690 (Core i9-12950HX) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F).
| Feature | Core i9-12950HX | Core Ultra 5 225F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1964 | LGA1851 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 24+20% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-12950HX 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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-12950HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225F). The Core i9-12950HX includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Core Ultra 5 225F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-12950HX targets Mobile Workstation Flagship. Direct competitor: Core i9-12950HX rivals Ryzen 9 6980HX.
| Feature | Core i9-12950HX | Core Ultra 5 225F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mobile Workstation Flagship | — |
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