Core Ultra 5 225U vs Ryzen Z1

Core Ultra 5 225U vs Ryzen Z1 Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 5 225U

12 / 14

18,434

+0.2%

18,406

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 225U vs Ryzen Z1 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 Ryzen Z1: 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: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 14W instead of 15W, a 1W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Graphics (4 Xe Cores), while Ryzen Z1 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Ryzen Z1

2023

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,406 vs 18,434).
❌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 Ryzen Z1?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 225U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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 5.5% 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 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads.

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 5.5% 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 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 225U vs Ryzen Z1 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.

Ryzen Z1

The Ryzen Z1 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Maio 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Phoenix (Zen4) (2023) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,406 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the Ryzen Z1 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225U versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen Z1 — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z1 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225U uses the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the Ryzen Z1 uses Phoenix (Zen4) (2023) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225U scores 18,434 against the Ryzen Z1's 18,406 — a 0.2% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225U. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core Ultra 5 225U vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen Z1.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225U	Ryzen Z1
Cores / Threads	12 / 14+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	4.9 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.2 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	12 MB	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	—	1 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm	4 nm-20%
Architecture	Arrow Lake-U (2025)	Phoenix (Zen4) (2023)
PassMark	18,434	18,406
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 Ryzen Z1 uses FP8 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225U	Ryzen Z1
Socket	FCBGA2049	FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
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 (Ryzen Z1). The Core Ultra 5 225U includes integrated graphics (Intel Graphics (4 Xe Cores)), while the Ryzen Z1 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225U rivals Ryzen 5 8640U.