Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

CPU

GPU

Core Ultra 5 225F

10 Cores10 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025

Core Ultra family

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Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

32 Cores64 Thrd250 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2018

Threadripper family

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Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 5 225F

10 / 10

31,541

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

32 / 64

31,945

+1.3%

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 Threadripper 2990WX 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 Threadripper 2990WX: 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

✅Costs $1,568 less on MSRP ($231 MSRP vs $1,799 MSRP).
✅Delivers 668.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $1,799 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 250W, a 185W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,050 vs 33,213).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+220% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 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 17.8 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($1,799 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
❌284.6% higher power demand at 250W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225F moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX better than Core Ultra 5 225F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 5 225F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% 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 Threadripper 2990WX is the stronger fit. You are getting 94.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 32 cores and 64 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 Threadripper 2990WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 5 225F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX comes in 678.8% more expensive on MSRP at $1,799 MSRP versus $231 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 225F is also 668.9% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 17.8 PassMark/$), 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 225F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of TR4, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 225F vs Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX 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 Threadripper 2990WX

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 31,945 points. Launch price was $1,799.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225F packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 22 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225F scores 31,541 against the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX's 31,945 — a 1.3% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,050 vs 33,213 (64.3% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,653 vs 1,206, a 75% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,028 vs 7,612 (52.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F vs 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
Cores / Threads	10 / 10	32 / 64+220%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+17%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+10%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	64 MB+220%
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+16967%
Process	3 nm-75%	12 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	31,541	31,945+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,050	33,213+95%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,653+120%	1,206
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,028+71%	7,612

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225F versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX — the Core Ultra 5 225F supports 118.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 256 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 5 225F) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX). PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 5 225F) vs 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F) and X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
Socket	LGA1851	TR4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400+118%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	2048 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	24	64+167%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX 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 AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX targets Extreme Content Creation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX rivals Core i9-9980XE.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Extreme Content Creation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 5 225F was priced at $231, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX came in at $1799. On launch pricing ($231 vs $1799), Core Ultra 5 225F was $1568 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 225F delivers 136.5 pts/$ vs 17.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 154% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
MSRP	$231-87%	$1799
Performance per Dollar	136.5+667%	17.8
Release Date	2025	2018

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