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 i9-9980XE vs Core Ultra 5 225H 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 i9-9980XE vs Core Ultra 5 225H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9980XE

2018

Why buy it

✅+51.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+37.5% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).
✅57.1% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,979 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 225H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌725% higher power demand at 165W vs 20W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 225H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 5 225H

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 20W instead of 165W, a 145W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc 130T GPU, while Core i9-9980XE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (14,526 vs 22,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 25 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225H better than Core i9-9980XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 225H is ahead with a 22.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9980XE pulls ahead with 51.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-9980XE also has the bigger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9980XE is the stronger fit. You are getting 51.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core Ultra 5 225H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core Ultra 5 225H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,979 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-9980XE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2066.

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

Core Ultra 5 225H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-9980XE vs Core Ultra 5 225H Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9980XE

The Core i9-9980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 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: 29,127 points. Launch price was $1,979.

Core Ultra 5 225H

The Core Ultra 5 225H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 MB + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 28,802 points. Launch price was $385.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-9980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225H offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the Core i9-9980XE has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9980XE versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225H — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H (base: 3 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Core i9-9980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 225H uses Arrow Lake-H (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9980XE scores 29,127 against the Core Ultra 5 225H's 28,802 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i9-9980XE. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 22,000 vs 14,526 (40.9% advantage for the Core i9-9980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,459 vs 2,678, a 58.9% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,177 vs 12,337 (1.3% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H). L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-9980XE vs 18 MB on the Core Ultra 5 225H.

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Core Ultra 5 225H
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+29%	14 / 14
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.9 GHz+9%
Base Clock	3 GHz	4.3 GHz+43%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)+38%	18 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Arrow Lake-H (2025)
PassMark	29,127+1%	28,802
Cinebench R23 Multi	22,000+51%	14,526
Geekbench 6 Single	1,459	2,678+84%
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,177	12,337+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9980XE versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225H — the Core Ultra 5 225H supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9980XE) vs 2 (Core Ultra 5 225H). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9980XE) vs 28 (Core Ultra 5 225H) — the Core i9-9980XE offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9980XE) and WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 5 225H).

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Core Ultra 5 225H
Socket	LGA2066	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-6400+140%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	44+57%	28

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-9980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core Ultra 5 225H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 130T GPU), while the Core i9-9980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-9980XE targets HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation, Core Ultra 5 225H targets Professional Content Creation Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i9-9980XE rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2950X; Core Ultra 5 225H rivals Ryzen 7 9800H.

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Core Ultra 5 225H
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel Arc 130T GPU
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation	Professional Content Creation Laptop