Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen 7 8700F

CPU

GPU

Core Ultra 5 225F

10 Cores10 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025

Core Ultra family

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Ryzen 7 8700F

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 5 GHz2024

Ryzen family

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Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen 7 8700F Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 5 225F

10 / 10

31,541

+1.0%

31,240

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX

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 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 225F 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 225F

2025

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $39 less on MSRP ($231 MSRP vs $270 MSRP).
✅Delivers 18.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 115.7 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $270 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,050 vs 18,040).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 8700F.

Ryzen 7 8700F

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Spire), unlike Core Ultra 5 225F.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 115.7 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($270 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 8700F better than Core Ultra 5 225F?

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 and 5.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 5.8% 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 225F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 7 8700F comes in 16.9% more expensive on MSRP at $270 MSRP versus $231 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 225F is also 18.0% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 115.7 PassMark/$), 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 225F 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 225F 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 225F vs Ryzen 7 8700F 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 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 (2023−2024) 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.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225F packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8700F 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 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 8700F — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700F (base: 3.3 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 7 8700F uses Phoenix (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225F scores 31,541 against the Ryzen 7 8700F's 31,240 — a 1% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,050 vs 18,040 (5.6% advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,653 vs 2,649, a 0.2% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F 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 225F vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8700F.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 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 (2024−2025)	Phoenix (2023−2024)
PassMark	31,541	31,240
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,050	18,040+6%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,653	2,649
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,028	13,500+4%

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 8700F uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225F versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 8700F — the Core Ultra 5 225F 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 225F) vs 20 (Ryzen 7 8700F) — the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F) and XB650,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 8700F).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 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

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 8700F has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 8700F). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 8700F targets High-performance Gaming w/ dGPU. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 8700F rivals Core i7-14700F.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 8700F
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	High-performance Gaming w/ dGPU

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 5 225F was priced at $231, while the Ryzen 7 8700F came in at $270. On launch pricing ($231 vs $270), Core Ultra 5 225F was $39 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 225F delivers 136.5 pts/$ vs 115.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 8700F — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 16.5% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 8700F
MSRP	$231-14%	$270
Performance per Dollar	136.5+18%	115.7
Release Date	2025	2024

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