Core Ultra 5 225T vs Core i9-12900H
Core Ultra 5 225T
Core i9-12900H
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 225T
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12900H
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Ultra 5 225T | Core i9-12900H |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) / 3 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-H (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Ultra 5 225T | Core i9-12900H |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 225T and Core i9-12900H
Core Ultra 5 225T
The Core Ultra 5 225T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2025 (recentemente). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 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: 26,874 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i9-12900H
The Core i9-12900H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 27,079 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 5 225T packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Core i9-12900H offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-12900H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225T versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-12900H — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225T uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Core i9-12900H uses Alder Lake-H (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 26,874 against the Core i9-12900H's 27,079 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i9-12900H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,677 vs 2,400, a 10.9% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,943 vs 12,900 (36.2% advantage for the Core i9-12900H). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225T vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900H.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 225T | Core i9-12900H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 10 | 14 / 20+40% |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz | 5 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB (total) | 24 MB (total)+20% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core)+140% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 3 nm-57% | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) | Alder Lake-H (2022) |
| PassMark | 26,874 | 27,079 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 16,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,677+12% | 2,400 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,943 | 12,900+44% |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 5 225T uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-12900H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Core Ultra 5 225T supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 5 225T) vs 20 (Core i9-12900H) — the Core Ultra 5 225T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225T) and Intel 600 Series (Mobile) (Core i9-12900H).
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 225T | Core i9-12900H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1851 | FCBGA1744 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 256 GB+300% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 24+20% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-12900H has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225T) vs Yes (Core i9-12900H). Both include integrated graphics — Arc Graphics (16EU) (Core Ultra 5 225T) and Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i9-12900H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225T targets Budget, Core i9-12900H targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225T rivals Ryzen 5 9600X.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 225T | Core i9-12900H |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Arc Graphics (16EU) | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Yes |
| Target Use | Budget | Mobile |
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