Core Ultra 5 225H vs EPYC 7303

Core Ultra 5 225H vs EPYC 7303 Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 5 225H

14 / 14

28,802

+0.8%

28,572

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

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 225H vs EPYC 7303 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 225H vs EPYC 7303: 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 225H

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +31.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 20W instead of 130W, a 110W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc 130T GPU, while EPYC 7303 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (14,526 vs 18,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7303, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7303

2023

Why buy it

✅+23.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+255.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅357.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌550% higher power demand at 130W vs 20W.
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 225H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225H better than EPYC 7303?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7303 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 5 225H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7303 is the stronger fit. You are getting 23.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 255.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Core Ultra 5 225H still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 5 225H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 31.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core Ultra 5 225H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of SP3. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 225H vs EPYC 7303 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core Ultra 5 225H

The Core Ultra 5 225H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 MB + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 28,802 points. Launch price was $385.

EPYC 7303

The EPYC 7303 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 September 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 28,572 points. Launch price was $604.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225H packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the EPYC 7303 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the EPYC 7303 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225H versus 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303 — a 36.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H (base: 4.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225H uses the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the EPYC 7303 uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225H scores 28,802 against the EPYC 7303's 28,572 — a 0.8% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 14,526 vs 18,000 (21.4% advantage for the EPYC 7303). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,678 vs 1,960, a 31% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,337 vs 11,000 (11.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H). L3 cache: 18 MB on the Core Ultra 5 225H vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225H	EPYC 7303
Cores / Threads	14 / 14	16 / 32+14%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+44%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	4.3 GHz+79%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB	64 MB (total)+256%
L2 Cache	—	512 kB (per core)
Process	5 nm-29%	7 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-H (2025)	Milan (2021−2023)
PassMark	28,802	28,572
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,526	18,000+24%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,678+37%	1,960
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,337+12%	11,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 7303 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225H versus DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7303 — the Core Ultra 5 225H supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7303 supports up to 204 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 59.4% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 5 225H) vs 8 (EPYC 7303). PCIe lanes: 28 (Core Ultra 5 225H) vs 128 (EPYC 7303) — the EPYC 7303 offers 100 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 5 225H) and SP3 platform (EPYC 7303).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225H	EPYC 7303
Socket	FCBGA2049	SP3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400+100%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	204 GB+59%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	28	128+357%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225H) vs AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7303). The Core Ultra 5 225H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 130T GPU), while the EPYC 7303 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225H targets Professional Content Creation Laptop, EPYC 7303 targets High-frequency Server Workloads. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225H rivals Ryzen 7 9800H; EPYC 7303 rivals Xeon Gold 6334.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225H	EPYC 7303
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel Arc 130T GPU	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V, SVM
Target Use	Professional Content Creation Laptop	High-frequency Server Workloads