Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Core Ultra 7 265HX

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 265HX 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 265HX: 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

✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,923 vs 2,990).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (16,885 vs 17,417).

Core Ultra 7 265HX

2025

Why buy it

✅+2.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $450 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core Ultra 7 265HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.2% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 7 265HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.6% 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 7 265HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 265HX is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 7 265HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at $450 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (108.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 7 265HX 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 265HX 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 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.

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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.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Core 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%

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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).

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Core 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	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24+20%	20

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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.