Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 5 225F

10 / 10

31,541

+40.6%

22,430

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 7 3700X 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 225F vs Ryzen 7 3700X: 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

2025

Why buy it

✅+40.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $98 less on MSRP ($231 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Delivers 100.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 31,541).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.2 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($329 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 7 3700X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 3700X is ahead with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 225F pulls ahead with 40.6% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 3700X also has the bigger cache pool with 60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 225F is the stronger fit. You are getting 40.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 225F is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 225F comes in $98 cheaper on MSRP at $231 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it still gives you 40.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 7 3700X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.3% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 68.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 7 3700X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 225F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 10 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. 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: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225F packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 10.8% 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 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225F scores 31,541 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 33.8% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	10 / 10+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+11%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	32 MB+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 (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	31,541+41%	22,430
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,050	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,653	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,028	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X 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 7 3700X — 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 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 3700X
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

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225F) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 5 225F was priced at $231, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($231 vs $329), Core Ultra 5 225F was $98 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 225F delivers 136.5 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 66.8% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$231-30%	$329
Performance per Dollar	136.5+100%	68.2
Release Date	2025	2019

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