Core Ultra 5 225F
Ryzen 5 3600
Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 225F vs Ryzen 5 3600 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen 5 3600: 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 225F
2025Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +15.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Delivers 53.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ✅Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
Trade-offs
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).
- ❌16.1% HIGHER MSRP$231 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.
Ryzen 5 3600
2019Why buy it
- ✅+60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
- ✅Costs $32 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 225F.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 17,050).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 88.9 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
- ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225F moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.
Quick Answers
So, is Core Ultra 5 225F better than Ryzen 5 3600?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Core Ultra 5 225F
The Core Ultra 5 225F 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: 31,541 points. Launch price was $231.
Ryzen 5 3600
The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 5 225F packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225F scores 31,541 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 56.3% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,050 vs 9,500 (56.9% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,653 vs 1,295, a 68.8% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,028 vs 1,898 (149.1% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 225F | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 10+67% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz+17% | 4.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.6 GHz+9% |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB (total) | 32 MB (total)+60% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core) | 512K (per core)+16967% |
| Process | 3 nm-57% | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 31,541+78% | 17,685 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 17,050+79% | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,653+105% | 1,295 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 13,028+586% | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Core Ultra 5 225F supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 225F 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 (Core Ultra 5 225F) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 225F | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core Ultra 5 225F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225F) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 225F | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Yes |
| Target Use | — | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core Ultra 5 225F was priced at $231, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($231 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $32 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 225F delivers 136.5 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 42.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 225F | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $231 | $199-14% |
| Performance per Dollar | 136.5+54% | 88.9 |
| Release Date | 2025 | 2019 |
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