Core Ultra 5 225U vs Core Ultra 5 236V

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 236V 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 236V: 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: +12.6% 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.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Graphics (4 Xe Cores), while Core Ultra 5 236V needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core Ultra 5 236V

2024

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,313 vs 18,434).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌21.4% higher power demand at 17W vs 14W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 225U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225U better than Core Ultra 5 236V?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 225U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 225U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.6% 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 225U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, 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 still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 5 225U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.6% 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 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 236V 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 236V

The Core Ultra 5 236V 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 4.7 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: 18,313 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 236V 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 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 236V — a 2.1% 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 236V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225U scores 18,434 against the Core Ultra 5 236V's 18,313 — a 0.7% lead 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 236V.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225U	Core Ultra 5 236V
Cores / Threads	12 / 14+50%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+2%	4.7 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	18,313
Geekbench 6 Single	2,374	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,846	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 236V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225U	Core Ultra 5 236V
Socket	FCBGA2049	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400 / LPDDR5x-8400	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core Ultra 5 225U) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 236V). The Core Ultra 5 225U includes integrated graphics (Intel Graphics (4 Xe Cores)), while the Core Ultra 5 236V requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225U rivals Ryzen 5 8640U.