Core Ultra 5 225 vs Ryzen 7 8700F

Intel

Core Ultra 5 225

10 Cores10 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 8700F

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 5 GHz2024

Core Ultra 5 225 vs Ryzen 7 8700F Performance Spectrum

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.

Core Ultra 5 225 vs Ryzen 7 8700F 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 Ryzen 7 8700F: 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

  • βœ…+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $30 less on MSRP ($240 MSRP vs $270 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 12.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 129.7 vs 115.7 PassMark/$ ($240 MSRP vs $270 MSRP).
  • βœ…20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores), while Ryzen 7 8700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,020 vs 18,040).

Ryzen 7 8700F

2024

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +13.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 115.7 vs 129.7 PassMark/$ ($270 MSRP vs $240 MSRP).
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 225 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 8700F better than Core Ultra 5 225?
Yes. Ryzen 7 8700F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 0.3% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 8700F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.6% 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, Ryzen 7 8700F is the stronger fit. You are getting 6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 8700F is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 5 225 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 7 8700F comes in 12.5% more expensive on MSRP at $270 MSRP versus $240 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 225 is also 12.1% better value on MSRP (129.7 vs 115.7 PassMark/$), 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 5 225 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 5 225 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024) and 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core Ultra 5 225 vs Ryzen 7 8700F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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 (2024βˆ’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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 8700F

The Ryzen 7 8700F is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix (2023βˆ’2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,240 points. Launch price was $270.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225 packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8700F offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Core Ultra 5 225 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225 versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 8700F β€” a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700F (base: 3.3 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225 uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024βˆ’2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 7 8700F uses Phoenix (2023βˆ’2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225 scores 31,137 against the Ryzen 7 8700F's 31,240 β€” a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 8700F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,020 vs 18,040 (5.8% advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700F). Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 2,653 vs 2,649, a 0.2% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,028 vs 13,500 (3.6% advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225 vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8700F.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225Ryzen 7 8700F
Cores / Threads
10 / 10+25%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
5 GHz+2%
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
4.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)+25%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
3 MB (per core)+200%
1 MB (per core)
Process
3 nm-25%
4 nm
Architecture
Arrow Lake-S (2024βˆ’2025)
Phoenix (2023βˆ’2024)
PassMark
31,137
31,240
Cinebench R23 Multi
17,020
18,040+6%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,653
2,649
Geekbench 6 Multi
13,028
13,500+4%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225 uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 8700F uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225 versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 8700F β€” the Core Ultra 5 225 supports 23.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 256 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 5 225) vs 20 (Ryzen 7 8700F) β€” the Core Ultra 5 225 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860,H810 (Core Ultra 5 225) and XB650,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 8700F).

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225Ryzen 7 8700F
Socket
LGA1851
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-6400+23%
DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity
256 GB
256 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
24+20%
20
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 8700F has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 7 8700F supports AVX-512 instructions β€” important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 5 225) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 8700F). The Core Ultra 5 225 includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores)), while the Ryzen 7 8700F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225 targets Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency, Ryzen 7 8700F targets High-performance Gaming w/ dGPU. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225 rivals Ryzen 5 8600G; Ryzen 7 8700F rivals Core i7-14700F.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225Ryzen 7 8700F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores)
β€”
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency
High-performance Gaming w/ dGPU
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 5 225 was priced at $240, while the Ryzen 7 8700F came in at $270. On launch pricing ($240 vs $270), Core Ultra 5 225 was $30 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 225 delivers 129.7 pts/$ vs 115.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 8700F β€” making the Core Ultra 5 225 the 11.4% better value option.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225Ryzen 7 8700F
MSRP
$240-11%
$270
Performance per Dollar
129.7+12%
115.7
Release Date
2025
2024

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