Core Ultra 5 225H vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core Ultra 5 225H

14 Cores14 Thrd20 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025
Core Ultra family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Core Ultra 5 225H vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

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 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 225H 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 225H

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 20W instead of 65W, a 45W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc 130T GPU, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • +77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 28,802).
  • Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 225H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 225% higher power demand at 65W vs 20W.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225H better than Ryzen 7 3700X?
Yes. Core Ultra 5 225H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 28.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 5 225H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% 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 225H is the stronger fit. You are getting 28.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 5 225H is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 3700X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 5 225H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 3700X is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 225H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 225H vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

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.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225H packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225H versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H (base: 4.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225H uses the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225H scores 28,802 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 24.9% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H. L3 cache: 18 MB on the Core Ultra 5 225H vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225HRyzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
14 / 14+75%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz+11%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
4.3 GHz+19%
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB
32 MB+78%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
Process
5 nm-29%
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Arrow Lake-H (2025)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
28,802+28%
22,430
Cinebench R23 Multi
14,526
Geekbench 6 Single
2,678
Geekbench 6 Multi
12,337
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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225H uses the FCBGA2049 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 225H versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Core Ultra 5 225H supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core Ultra 5 225H) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Core Ultra 5 225H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 5 225H) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225HRyzen 7 3700X
Socket
FCBGA2049
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-6400+100%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
28+17%
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225H) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). The Core Ultra 5 225H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 130T GPU), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225H targets Professional Content Creation Laptop. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225H rivals Ryzen 7 9800H.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 225HRyzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel Arc 130T GPU
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Professional Content Creation Laptop