Core Ultra 7 265HX

The Core Ultra 7 265HX is a 20-core / 20-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 5.3 GHz from a base frequency of 2.6 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 30 MB (total) of L3 cache, plus 3 MB (per core) of L2 cache and 192 kB (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 48,975, placing it in the Enthusiast performance tier as a Current Gen generation product. Geekbench 6 single-core (the most relevant metric for gaming FPS) records 2,990, while multi-core reaches 17,417.

The Core Ultra 7 265HX fits into the FCBGA2114 socket and supports PCIe 5.0 with 20 total PCIe lanes for expansion cards and storage. It supports DDR5-6400 memory at speeds up to DDR5-6400 (faster RAM improves bandwidth-sensitive workloads), with a maximum capacity of 192 GB across 2 channels (dual-channel doubles bandwidth). It supports ECC memory, providing error-correcting capabilities — essential for mission-critical workloads and servers. Integrated graphics: Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU — allows display output without a dedicated GPU, useful for troubleshooting and light tasks.

It features an unlocked multiplier, allowing enthusiasts to overclock beyond stock frequencies for additional performance. It supports AVX-512 instructions — specialized SIMD operations that significantly accelerate AI inference, scientific computing, and video encoding workloads. Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d — enables running virtual machines efficiently (important for development and server workloads).

The Core Ultra 7 265HX has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 55 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed. No stock cooler is included — you will need to purchase an aftermarket cooler separately. Recommended cooling: High-End Laptop Cooling.

At an average price of $450, the Core Ultra 7 265HX delivers 109 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #210 out of all indexed processors.