Core Ultra 7 255HX
VS
Core Ultra 7 265HX

Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Core Ultra 7 265HX

Intel

Core Ultra 7 255HX

20 Cores20 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2025
VS
Intel

Core Ultra 7 265HX

20 Cores20 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2025

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 255HX

#13
Ryzen 3 210
MSRP: $99|Avg: $99
121%
#14
Ryzen 5 PRO 230
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
119%
#15
Ryzen 5 220
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
113%
#18
Ryzen 5 8500G
MSRP: $179|Avg: $150
109%
#26
Core Ultra 7 255HX
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#27
Core Ultra 7 265HX
MSRP: $450|Avg: N/A
98%
#31
Ryzen 5 230
MSRP: $200|Avg: $190
91%
#36
Core i5-11500B
MSRP: $185|Avg: $185
83%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 265HX

#13
Ryzen 3 210
MSRP: $99|Avg: $99
123%
#14
Ryzen 5 PRO 230
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
121%
#15
Ryzen 5 220
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
115%
#18
Ryzen 5 8500G
MSRP: $179|Avg: $150
110%
#27
Core Ultra 7 265HX
MSRP: $450|Avg: N/A
100%
#31
Ryzen 5 230
MSRP: $200|Avg: $190
93%
#36
Core i5-11500B
MSRP: $185|Avg: $185
85%
#42
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D
MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A
81%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core Ultra 7 265HX leads in gaming performance. However, the Core Ultra 7 255HX is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore Ultra 7 255HXCore Ultra 7 265HX
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($450)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-HX (2025) / 3 nm)
✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-HX (2025) / 3 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore Ultra 7 255HXCore Ultra 7 265HX
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($450)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 255HX and Core Ultra 7 265HX

Intel

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.

Intel

Core Ultra 7 265HX

The Core Ultra 7 265HX 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 2.6 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: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 48,975 points. Launch price was $500.

Processing Power

Both the Core Ultra 7 255HX and Core Ultra 7 265HX 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 265HX — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265HX (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). Both are built on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture using a 3 nm process. In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 49,765 against the Core Ultra 7 265HX's 48,975 — a 1.6% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,923 vs 2,990, a 2.3% lead for the Core Ultra 7 265HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,885 vs 17,417 (3.1% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265HX). Both processors carry 30 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 255HXCore Ultra 7 265HX
Cores / Threads
20 / 20
20 / 20
Boost Clock
5.2 GHz
5.3 GHz+2%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
2.6 GHz+8%
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-HX (2025)
PassMark
49,765+2%
48,975
Geekbench 6 Single
2,923
2,990+2%
Geekbench 6 Multi
16,885
17,417+3%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA2114 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. Both support up to 192 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) vs 20 (Core Ultra 7 265HX) — the Core Ultra 7 255HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM870,Intel WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) and WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 7 265HX).

FeatureCore Ultra 7 255HXCore Ultra 7 265HX
Socket
FCBGA2114
FCBGA2114
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-6400
DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
192 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
24+20%
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core Ultra 7 265HX 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 265HX). Both include integrated graphics Intel Arc Xe-LPG (Core Ultra 7 255HX) and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU (Core Ultra 7 265HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 255HX rivals Ryzen 9 9850HX.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 255HXCore Ultra 7 265HX
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel Arc Xe-LPG
Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
true
VT-x, VT-d