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 225U vs Core Ultra 5 226V 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 225U vs Core Ultra 5 226V: 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 225U

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 14W instead of 17W, a 3W reduction.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core Ultra 5 226V

2024

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 7,846).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 225U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌21.4% higher power demand at 17W vs 14W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225U better than Core Ultra 5 226V?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 225U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 313.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.2% higher 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 225U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.4% 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 225U is the stronger fit. You are getting 313.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core Ultra 5 225U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core Ultra 5 225U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 226V only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 14.4% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core Ultra 5 225U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core Ultra 5 225U vs Core Ultra 5 226V Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 5 225U

The Core Ultra 5 225U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,434 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 5 226V

The Core Ultra 5 226V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,400 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 226V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225U versus 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 226V — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225U uses the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 226V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225U scores 18,434 against the Core Ultra 5 226V's 18,400 — a 0.2% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,374 vs 1,962, a 19% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,846 vs 1,898 (122.1% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225U). L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core Ultra 5 225U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 226V.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225U	Core Ultra 5 226V
Cores / Threads	12 / 14+50%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+7%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+14%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	2.5 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm	3 nm-40%
Architecture	Arrow Lake-U (2025)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	18,434	18,400
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,041
Geekbench 6 Single	2,374+21%	1,962
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,846+313%	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 226V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 / LPDDR5x-8400 on the Core Ultra 5 225U versus LPDDR5X-8533 on the Core Ultra 5 226V — the Core Ultra 5 226V supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 225U supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core Ultra 5 225U) vs 8 (Core Ultra 5 226V) — the Core Ultra 5 225U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 5 225U) and SoC (Core Ultra 5 226V).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225U	Core Ultra 5 226V
Socket	FCBGA2049	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400 / LPDDR5x-8400	LPDDR5X-8533+33%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+150%	8

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core Ultra 5 226V supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core Ultra 5 225U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 226V). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Graphics (4 Xe Cores) (Core Ultra 5 225U) and Arc 130V (Core Ultra 5 226V) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225U rivals Ryzen 5 8640U.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225U	Core Ultra 5 226V
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Graphics (4 Xe Cores)	Arc 130V
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x / VT-d / EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Productivity	—