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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core Ultra 7 255HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 55W instead of 190W, a 135W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Xe-LPG, while Xeon 6517P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 72 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon 6517P, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 88 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon 6517P

2025

Why buy it

✅+140% larger total L3 cache (72 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 88 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅266.7% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (48,810 vs 49,765).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,195 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌245.5% higher power demand at 190W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 255HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 7 255HX

2025

Xeon 6517P

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 55W instead of 190W, a 135W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Xe-LPG, while Xeon 6517P needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+140% larger total L3 cache (72 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 88 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅266.7% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 72 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon 6517P, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 88 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (48,810 vs 49,765).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,195 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌245.5% higher power demand at 190W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 255HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255HX better than Xeon 6517P?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon 6517P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 7 255HX is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 255HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% 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 255HX is the better fit. You are getting 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 Xeon 6517P makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core Ultra 7 255HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,195 MSRP, and it gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon 6517P is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (40.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Xeon 6517P is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 140% larger total L3 cache (72 MB vs 30 MB) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

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.

Core Ultra 7 255HX Benchmark Check

Xeon 6517P Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Xeon 6517P
1080p
low	280 FPS	192 FPS
medium	272 FPS	153 FPS
high	228 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	191 FPS	97 FPS
1440p
low	225 FPS	157 FPS
medium	193 FPS	122 FPS
high	156 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	135 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	151 FPS	72 FPS
medium	129 FPS	60 FPS
high	99 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	38 FPS

Open Core Ultra 7 255HX Open Xeon 6517P

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Xeon 6517P
1080p
low	673 FPS	559 FPS
medium	574 FPS	488 FPS
high	483 FPS	396 FPS
ultra	438 FPS	353 FPS
1440p
low	584 FPS	483 FPS
medium	515 FPS	426 FPS
high	434 FPS	357 FPS
ultra	370 FPS	299 FPS
4K
low	345 FPS	302 FPS
medium	310 FPS	270 FPS
high	292 FPS	244 FPS
ultra	254 FPS	220 FPS

Open Core Ultra 7 255HX Open Xeon 6517P

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Xeon 6517P
1080p
low	839 FPS	1025 FPS
medium	685 FPS	986 FPS
high	610 FPS	910 FPS
ultra	522 FPS	824 FPS
1440p
low	727 FPS	859 FPS
medium	596 FPS	755 FPS
high	519 FPS	697 FPS
ultra	441 FPS	626 FPS
4K
low	515 FPS	541 FPS
medium	434 FPS	442 FPS
high	394 FPS	389 FPS
ultra	336 FPS	319 FPS

Open Core Ultra 7 255HX Open Xeon 6517P

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Xeon 6517P
1080p
low	995 FPS	1022 FPS
medium	901 FPS	916 FPS
high	782 FPS	782 FPS
ultra	709 FPS	672 FPS
1440p
low	814 FPS	788 FPS
medium	724 FPS	689 FPS
high	627 FPS	586 FPS
ultra	555 FPS	504 FPS
4K
low	555 FPS	563 FPS
medium	501 FPS	501 FPS
high	449 FPS	441 FPS
ultra	396 FPS	377 FPS

Open Core Ultra 7 255HX Open Xeon 6517P

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 7 255HX and Xeon 6517P

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.

Xeon 6517P

The Xeon 6517P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Granite Rapids (2024−2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 72 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4710. Thermal design power (TDP): 190 Watt. Memory support: DDR5(6400MT/s). Passmark benchmark score: 48,810 points. Launch price was $1,195.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 255HX packs 20 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon 6517P offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Core Ultra 7 255HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon 6517P — a 21.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255HX (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Xeon 6517P uses Granite Rapids (2024−2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 49,765 against the Xeon 6517P's 48,810 — a 1.9% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255HX. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 255HX vs 72 MB (total) on the Xeon 6517P.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Xeon 6517P
Cores / Threads	20 / 20+25%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+24%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.2 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	72 MB (total)+140%
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)+50%	2 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm	Intel 3 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-HX (2025)	Granite Rapids (2024−2025)
PassMark	49,765+2%	48,810
Geekbench 6 Single	2,923	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,885	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the FCBGA2114 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon 6517P uses LGA4710 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus 6400 on the Xeon 6517P — the Xeon 6517P supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon 6517P supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 192 GB — 182.1% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) vs 8 (Xeon 6517P). PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) vs 88 (Xeon 6517P) — the Xeon 6517P offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM870,Intel WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) and Granite Rapids-SP (Xeon 6517P).

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Xeon 6517P
Socket	FCBGA2114	LGA4710
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	6400+127900%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+4915100%	4096
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	88+267%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 7 255HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon 6517P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core Ultra 7 255HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon 6517P). The Core Ultra 7 255HX includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Xe-LPG), while the Xeon 6517P requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 255HX rivals Ryzen 9 9850HX; Xeon 6517P rivals EPYC 9554.