Core Ultra 5 225 vs Core Ultra 7 255H

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 Ultra 5 225 vs Core Ultra 7 255H 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 Ultra 5 225 vs Core Ultra 7 255H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core Ultra 5 225

2025

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Laminar RM2), unlike Core Ultra 7 255H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (13,028 vs 15,700).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $240 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌150% higher power demand at 65W vs 26W.

Core Ultra 7 255H

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 26W instead of 65W, a 39W reduction.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255H better than Core Ultra 5 225?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 255H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 20.5% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 255H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.9% 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 Ultra 7 255H is the stronger fit. You are getting 20.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core Ultra 7 255H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 5 225 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 7 255H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $240 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 225 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (129.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 255H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/10. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core Ultra 5 225 vs Core Ultra 7 255H Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core Ultra 7 255H

The Core Ultra 7 255H 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 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 26 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 30,932 points. Launch price was $514.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225 packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 255H offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Core Ultra 7 255H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225 versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255H — a 4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255H (base: 3.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225 uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 255H uses Arrow Lake-H (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225 scores 31,137 against the Core Ultra 7 255H's 30,932 — a 0.7% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,653 vs 2,800, a 5.4% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,028 vs 15,700 (18.6% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255H). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225 vs 24 MB on the Core Ultra 7 255H.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225	Core Ultra 7 255H
Cores / Threads	10 / 10	16 / 16+60%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5.1 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	4.4 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	24 MB+20%
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)	—
Process	3 nm-40%	5 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)	Arrow Lake-H (2025)
PassMark	31,137	30,932
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,020	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,653	2,800+6%
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,028	15,700+21%

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225 uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 255H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. 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: 24 (Core Ultra 5 225) vs 28 (Core Ultra 7 255H) — the Core Ultra 7 255H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860,H810 (Core Ultra 5 225) and HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255H).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225	Core Ultra 7 255H
Socket	LGA1851	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+100%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	24	28+17%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 5 225) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 255H). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores) (Core Ultra 5 225) and Intel Arc Graphics 140T (Core Ultra 7 255H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225 targets Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency, Core Ultra 7 255H targets High-End Laptop. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225 rivals Ryzen 5 8600G.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225	Core Ultra 7 255H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores)	Intel Arc Graphics 140T
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency	High-End Laptop