Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Core Ultra 7 265

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 7 255HX vs Core Ultra 7 265 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 7 255HX vs Core Ultra 7 265: 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 7 255HX

2025

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core Ultra 7 265

2025

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (49,666 vs 49,765).
❌Launch MSRP is still $384 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255HX better than Core Ultra 7 265?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 265 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 255HX pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 255HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 255HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 7 265 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 7 255HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $384 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core Ultra 7 265 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 7 265 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (129.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 255HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 20 threads instead of 20/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Core Ultra 7 265 Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 7 255HX

The Core Ultra 7 255HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 30 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: 49,765 points. Launch price was $450.

Core Ultra 7 265

The Core Ultra 7 265 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 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 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: 49,666 points. Launch price was $394.

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Processing Power

Both the Core Ultra 7 255HX and Core Ultra 7 265 share an identical 20-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus 5.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265 — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 265 uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 49,765 against the Core Ultra 7 265's 49,666 — a 0.2% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255HX. Both processors carry 30 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Core Ultra 7 265
Cores / Threads	20 / 20	20 / 20
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz	5.3 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	30 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm	3 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-HX (2025)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	49,765	49,666
Geekbench 6 Single	2,923	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,885	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the FCBGA2114 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 265 uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Core Ultra 7 265 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. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM870,Intel WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) and Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 7 265).

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Core Ultra 7 265
Socket	FCBGA2114	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	6400
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	256 GB+33%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	24

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Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 7 255HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core Ultra 7 265 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core Ultra 7 255HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 265). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Arc Xe-LPG (Core Ultra 7 255HX) and Intel Arc Graphics (Core Ultra 7 265) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 255HX rivals Ryzen 9 9850HX; Core Ultra 7 265 rivals Ryzen 7 9700X.