Core Ultra 5 225F vs Xeon E-2488

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 Xeon E-2488 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 Xeon E-2488: 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

✅Better for gaming: +6.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E-2488, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $231 MSRP, while Xeon E-2488 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E-2488

2023

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,000 vs 17,050).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225F better than Xeon E-2488?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2488 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, Core Ultra 5 225F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.6% 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, Core Ultra 5 225F is the stronger fit. You are getting 13.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 at an unclear MSRP at $231 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit 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 2023), more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 10 threads instead of 8/16, 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 Xeon E-2488 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.

Xeon E-2488

The Xeon E-2488 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 31,888 points. Launch price was $606.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225F packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Xeon E-2488 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 5.6 GHz on the Xeon E-2488 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2488 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Xeon E-2488 uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225F scores 31,541 against the Xeon E-2488's 31,888 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E-2488. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,050 vs 15,000 (12.8% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,653 vs 2,100, a 23.3% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,028 vs 12,000 (8.2% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2488.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Xeon E-2488
Cores / Threads	10 / 10+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5.6 GHz+14%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+3%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)+50%	2 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	31,541	31,888+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,050+14%	15,000
Geekbench 6 Single	2,653+26%	2,100
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,028+9%	12,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E-2488 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225F versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon E-2488 — the Core Ultra 5 225F supports 33.3% 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. PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 5 225F) vs 20 (Xeon E-2488) — the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F) and W680 (Xeon E-2488).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Xeon E-2488
Socket	LGA1851	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400+33%	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+100%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24+20%	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. 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 VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E-2488). Primary use case: Xeon E-2488 targets Entry-level Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon E-2488 rivals Xeon E-2388G.