Core Ultra 7 265HX
CPU·Enthusiast

Core Ultra 7 265HX

Intel

PassMark

48,975

MSRP

$450

2025-01-01
55 Watt
Arrow Lake-HX (2025)

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.

Overview

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.

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 265HX

#58
Athlon Neo X2 L325
MSRP: $100|Avg: $5
113%
#59
Pentium 997
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
112%
#60
A6 Pro-7050B
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
111%
#61
Core 2 Duo T7100
MSRP: $197|Avg: $15
111%
#62
Core i5-3610ME
MSRP: $276|Avg: $22
111%
#63
Celeron Dual-Core T3000
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
110%
#64
Athlon II M320
MSRP: $75|Avg: $15
110%
#65
Athlon II Neo K345
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
109%
#66
Athlon II P320
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
109%
#67
Celeron U3400
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
106%
#68
Pentium Dual Core T4200
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
106%
#69
Pentium 977
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
105%
#70
Pentium N3520
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
105%
#71
Core 2 Duo U7500
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
103%
#72
Core i3-1115G4E
MSRP: $213|Avg: $47
102%
#73
Core Ultra 7 265HX
MSRP: $450|Avg: N/A
100%
#74
Core i3-350M
MSRP: $130|Avg: $10
100%
#75
Athlon II N370
MSRP: $60|Avg: $10
100%
#76
Athlon X2 QL-64
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
99%
#77
Core i7-4700MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
98%
#78
Core 2 Quad Q9000
MSRP: $348|Avg: $15
98%
#79
Ryzen 5 230
MSRP: $200|Avg: $190
98%
#80
Celeron T3500
MSRP: $80|Avg: $10
97%
#81
Pentium T4200
MSRP: $99|Avg: $10
97%
#82
A12-9720P
MSRP: $200|Avg: $25
96%
#83
Core i7-4702MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
95%
#84
Pentium 957
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
93%
#85
Core i7-3612QE
MSRP: $426|Avg: $50
91%
#86
Core 2 Solo SU3500
MSRP: $262|Avg: $15
90%
#87
Celeron 900
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
89%
#88
Core i3-1220P
MSRP: $250|Avg: $150
89%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Core Ultra 7 265HX across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Among Us

Among Us

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3

1080p
low271 FPS
medium247 FPS
high203 FPS
ultra173 FPS
1440p
low168 FPS
medium156 FPS
high146 FPS
ultra123 FPS
4k
low107 FPS
medium101 FPS
high97 FPS
ultra83 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low696 FPS
medium595 FPS
high499 FPS
ultra450 FPS
1440p
low607 FPS
medium540 FPS
high453 FPS
ultra385 FPS
4k
low357 FPS
medium325 FPS
high305 FPS
ultra266 FPS
Deadlock

Deadlock

1080p
low213 FPS
medium173 FPS
high153 FPS
ultra139 FPS
1440p
low199 FPS
medium167 FPS
high148 FPS
ultra135 FPS
4k
low125 FPS
medium101 FPS
high76 FPS
ultra72 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low839 FPS
medium685 FPS
high610 FPS
ultra522 FPS
1440p
low727 FPS
medium596 FPS
high519 FPS
ultra441 FPS
4k
low515 FPS
medium434 FPS
high394 FPS
ultra336 FPS
Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

1080p
low775 FPS
medium679 FPS
high605 FPS
ultra484 FPS
1440p
low572 FPS
medium512 FPS
high441 FPS
ultra393 FPS
4k
low368 FPS
medium337 FPS
high297 FPS
ultra257 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low280 FPS
medium273 FPS
high228 FPS
ultra192 FPS
1440p
low226 FPS
medium194 FPS
high156 FPS
ultra136 FPS
4k
low151 FPS
medium129 FPS
high100 FPS
ultra87 FPS
Phasmophobia

Phasmophobia

1080p
low387 FPS
medium356 FPS
high344 FPS
ultra280 FPS
1440p
low368 FPS
medium340 FPS
high325 FPS
ultra264 FPS
4k
low224 FPS
medium218 FPS
high208 FPS
ultra167 FPS
Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2

1080p
low465 FPS
medium452 FPS
high436 FPS
ultra407 FPS
1440p
low445 FPS
medium435 FPS
high424 FPS
ultra382 FPS
4k
low398 FPS
medium389 FPS
high373 FPS
ultra336 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Core Ultra 7 265HX specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

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.

SpecificationCore Ultra 7 265HX
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units20C / 20T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost5.3 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency2.6 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designArrow Lake-HX (2025)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient3 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores30 MB (total)
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data3 MB (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache192 kB (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor243 mm2
Transistor CountMore transistors = more capabilities17,800 million
64-bit SupportYes
Unlocked MultiplierWhether the CPU can be overclockedYes (Overclockable)
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score48,975
Geekbench 6 SingleSingle-core performance — most relevant for gaming2,990
Geekbench 6 MultiMulti-core parallel workload performance17,417
🧠

Memory & Platform

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.

SpecificationCore Ultra 7 265HX
TypeDesktop or Laptop processorLaptop
SocketMotherboard socket requiredFCBGA2114
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 5.0
PCIe LanesTotal available lanes for GPUs, NVMe drives, and expansion20
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR5-6400
Max RAM SpeedMaximum officially supported memory frequencyDDR5-6400
Max RAM CapacityMaximum installable memory192 GB
RAM ChannelsDual-channel doubles bandwidth vs single-channel2
ECC SupportError-Correcting Code memory — prevents data corruptionYes
Integrated GPUBuilt-in graphics processorArc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU
Compatible ChipsetsMotherboard chipsets that support this CPUWM880,HM870
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers1
🔧

Advanced Features

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).

SpecificationCore Ultra 7 265HX
OverclockingWhether CPU clock can be manually increased✅ Unlocked
AVX-512Advanced vector instructions for AI/ML workloads✅ Supported
VirtualizationHardware-assisted virtualization technologyVT-x, VT-d
🌡️

Power & Cooling

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.

SpecificationCore Ultra 7 265HX
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload55 Watt
Included CoolerStock cooler bundled in the boxNo
Recommended CoolerSuggested aftermarket cooling solutionHigh-End Laptop Cooling
💰

Value Analysis

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.

SpecificationCore Ultra 7 265HX
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$450
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$500
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#210
Release DateLaunch date2025-01-01
Release Year2025
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel
ManufacturerFabrication foundry (e.g. TSMC)TSMC

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

7 specs

TypeLaptop
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$500
ManufacturerTSMC
Release Date2025-01-01
Architecture CodenameArrow Lake-HX (2025)
Performance Ranking Position210

Technical Specifications

14 specs

Cores20
Threads20
Die Size243 mm2
L1 Cache192 kB (per core)
L2 Cache3 MB (per core)
L3 Cache30 MB (total)
Max Frequency5.3 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency2.6 GHz
Efficiency Cores12
Transistor Count17,800 million
Performance Cores8
Process Technology3 nm
Unlocked Multiplier+

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketFCBGA2114
PCIe GenerationPCIe 5.0
Power Consumption (TDP)55 Watt
Max Processors In Config1

Memory

4 specs

RAM TypesDDR5-6400
Memory Channels2
ECC Memory Support+
Max Memory Capacity256 GB

Similar Performance

Processors with benchmark scores closest to the current hardware, grouped by manufacturer.

Our Recommendation for Core Ultra 7 265HX

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

Compare Core Ultra 7 265HX

See how this CPU stacks up against similar alternatives

Compare with other CPUs