Core Ultra 5 235 vs Core Ultra 5 235HX

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 5 235 vs Core Ultra 5 235HX 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 5 235 vs Core Ultra 5 235HX: 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 5 235

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (13,000 vs 14,000).
❌Launch MSRP is still $257 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 235HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Core Ultra 5 235HX

2025

Why buy it

✅+7.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 235 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 235HX better than Core Ultra 5 235?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 235 is ahead with a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 235HX pulls ahead with 7.7% better Geekbench multi-core.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 235HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 235HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 5 235 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 5 235HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $257 MSRP, and it still gives you 7.7% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core Ultra 5 235 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 235 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (155.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 235HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 threads instead of 14/14. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core Ultra 5 235 vs Core Ultra 5 235HX Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 5 235

The Core Ultra 5 235 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 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: 39,924 points. Launch price was $257.

Core Ultra 5 235HX

The Core Ultra 5 235HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 40,122 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

Both the Core Ultra 5 235 and Core Ultra 5 235HX share an identical 14-core/14-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235 versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235HX — a 2% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235HX (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 235 uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses Arrow Lake-HX (2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 235 scores 39,924 against the Core Ultra 5 235HX's 40,122 — a 0.5% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,600 vs 2,600, a 0% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,000 vs 14,000 (7.4% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235HX). Both processors carry 24 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 235	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Cores / Threads	14 / 14	14 / 14
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+17%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm	3 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)	Arrow Lake-HX (2025)
PassMark	39,924	40,122
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,677
Geekbench 6 Single	2,600	2,600
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,000	14,000+8%

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 235 uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses FCBGA2114 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Core Ultra 5 235 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core Ultra 5 235) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 235HX) — the Core Ultra 5 235HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 235) and HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 5 235HX).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 235	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Socket	LGA1851	FCBGA2114
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+33%	192 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 5 235HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU (Core Ultra 5 235) and Intel Graphics (48EU) (Core Ultra 5 235HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 235 targets Mainstream Desktop, Core Ultra 5 235HX targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 235 rivals Ryzen 5 8600G.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 235	Core Ultra 5 235HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU	Intel Graphics (48EU)
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	Laptop