Core Ultra 5 225 vs Xeon W-3245

Intel

Core Ultra 5 225

10 Cores10 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025
Core Ultra family
·······
VS
Intel

Xeon W-3245

16 Cores32 Thrd205 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2019

Core Ultra 5 225 vs Xeon W-3245 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 Xeon W-3245 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 Xeon W-3245: 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 $1,959 less on MSRP ($240 MSRP vs $2,199 MSRP).
  • Delivers 817.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 129.7 vs 14.1 PassMark/$ ($240 MSRP vs $2,199 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 205W, a 140W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores), while Xeon W-3245 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3245 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,020 vs 18,000).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-3245, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Xeon W-3245

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • 166.7% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.1 vs 129.7 PassMark/$ ($2,199 MSRP vs $240 MSRP).
  • 215.4% higher power demand at 205W vs 65W.
  • Older platform position on LGA3647 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 Xeon W-3245 better than Core Ultra 5 225?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-3245 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 5 225 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-3245 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% 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, Xeon W-3245 is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon W-3245 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 5 225 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon W-3245 comes in 816.3% more expensive on MSRP at $2,199 MSRP versus $240 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 225 is also 817.7% better value on MSRP (129.7 vs 14.1 PassMark/$), 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 5 225 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 225 vs Xeon W-3245 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 (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.

Intel

Xeon W-3245

The Xeon W-3245 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 31,089 points. Launch price was $1,999.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225 packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Xeon W-3245 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon W-3245 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225 versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon W-3245 — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225 uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Xeon W-3245 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225 scores 31,137 against the Xeon W-3245's 31,089 — a 0.2% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,020 vs 18,000 (5.6% advantage for the Xeon W-3245). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,653 vs 1,353, a 64.9% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,028 vs 11,698 (10.8% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225 vs 22 MB on the Xeon W-3245.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225Xeon W-3245
Cores / Threads
10 / 10
16 / 32+60%
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz+7%
4.6 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz+3%
3.2 GHz
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)
22 MB+10%
L2 Cache
3 MB (per core)
16 MB+433%
Process
3 nm-79%
14 nm
Architecture
Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark
31,137
31,089
Cinebench R23 Multi
17,020
18,000+6%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,653+96%
1,353
Geekbench 6 Multi
13,028+11%
11,698
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225 uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon W-3245 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225 versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon W-3245 — the Core Ultra 5 225 supports 118.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon W-3245 supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 256 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 5 225) vs 6 (Xeon W-3245). PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 5 225) vs 64 (Xeon W-3245) — the Xeon W-3245 offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860,H810 (Core Ultra 5 225) and C621 (Xeon W-3245).

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225Xeon W-3245
Socket
LGA1851
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-6400+118%
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
256 GB
1024 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
6+200%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
64+167%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon W-3245 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core Ultra 5 225 includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores)), while the Xeon W-3245 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225 targets Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency, Xeon W-3245 targets Professional Workstation. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225 rivals Ryzen 5 8600G; Xeon W-3245 rivals Threadripper 2950X.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225Xeon W-3245
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency
Professional Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 5 225 was priced at $240, while the Xeon W-3245 came in at $2199. On launch pricing ($240 vs $2199), Core Ultra 5 225 was $1959 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 225 delivers 129.7 pts/$ vs 14.1 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3245 — making the Core Ultra 5 225 the 160.7% better value option.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225Xeon W-3245
MSRP
$240-89%
$2199
Performance per Dollar
129.7+820%
14.1
Release Date
2025
2019

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