Core Ultra 5 225 vs Ryzen 9 5900X

CPU

GPU

Core Ultra 5 225

10 Cores10 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025

Core Ultra family

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Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core Ultra 5 225 vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 5 225

10 / 10

31,137

0.0%

38,955

+25.1%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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 9 5900X 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 9 5900X: 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

✅Costs $309 less on MSRP ($240 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Delivers 82.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 129.7 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($240 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores), while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,020 vs 21,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+220% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 71.0 vs 129.7 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $240 MSRP).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225 moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 225 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core Ultra 5 225.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Core Ultra 5 225?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 23.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 25.1% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.3% 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 9 5900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 23.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 220% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 5 225 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in 128.8% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $240 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 225 is also 82.8% better value on MSRP (129.7 vs 71.0 PassMark/$), 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 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 225 vs Ryzen 9 5900X 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.

Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225 packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225 versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225 uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225 scores 31,137 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 22.3% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,020 vs 21,000 (20.9% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,653 vs 2,174, a 19.8% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,028 vs 11,888 (9.2% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	10 / 10	12 / 24+20%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+2%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	64 MB+220%
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+16967%
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	31,137	38,955+25%
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,020	21,000+23%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,653+22%	2,174
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,028+10%	11,888

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225 uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Core Ultra 5 225 supports 100% 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. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860,H810 (Core Ultra 5 225) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225	Ryzen 9 5900X
Socket	LGA1851	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400+100%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+100%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	24

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 5 225) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). The Core Ultra 5 225 includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores)), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225 targets Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225 rivals Ryzen 5 8600G; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores)	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 5 225 was priced at $240, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($240 vs $549), Core Ultra 5 225 was $309 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 225 delivers 129.7 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Core Ultra 5 225 the 58.6% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$240-56%	$549
Performance per Dollar	129.7+83%	71.0
Release Date	2025	2020

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