Core Ultra 7 255H vs Core Ultra 5 225
Core Ultra 7 255H
Core Ultra 5 225
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 7 255H
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 225
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Ultra 7 255H | Core Ultra 5 225 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-H (2025) / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Ultra 7 255H | Core Ultra 5 225 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
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 7 255H and Core Ultra 5 225
Core Ultra 7 255H
The Core Ultra 7 255H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 26 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 30,932 points. Launch price was $514.
Core Ultra 5 225
The Core Ultra 5 225 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 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 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: 31,137 points. Launch price was $246.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 7 255H packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225 offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Core Ultra 7 255H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255H versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225 — a 4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255H (base: 4.4 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 255H uses the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 255H scores 30,932 against the Core Ultra 5 225's 31,137 — a 0.7% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,800 vs 2,653, a 5.4% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,700 vs 13,028 (18.6% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255H). L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core Ultra 7 255H vs 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225.
| Feature | Core Ultra 7 255H | Core Ultra 5 225 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 16+60% | 10 / 10 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+4% | 4.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4.4 GHz+33% | 3.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB+20% | 20 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 3 MB (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm | 3 nm-40% |
| Architecture | Arrow Lake-H (2025) | Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) |
| PassMark | 30,932 | 31,137 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 17,020 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,800+6% | 2,653 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 15,700+21% | 13,028 |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 7 255H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Core Ultra 5 225 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core Ultra 7 255H) vs 24 (Core Ultra 5 225) — the Core Ultra 7 255H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255H) and Z890,B860,H810 (Core Ultra 5 225).
| Feature | Core Ultra 7 255H | Core Ultra 5 225 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2049 | LGA1851 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 28+17% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 255H) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 5 225). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Arc Graphics 140T (Core Ultra 7 255H) and Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores) (Core Ultra 5 225) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 255H targets High-End Laptop, Core Ultra 5 225 targets Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225 rivals Ryzen 5 8600G.
| Feature | Core Ultra 7 255H | Core Ultra 5 225 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel Arc Graphics 140T | Intel Arc Graphics (2 Xe-cores) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | High-End Laptop | Mainstream Desktop / Efficiency |
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