CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 225 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a 10-core entry-level desktop processor on the Arrow Lake-S platform, featuring 6 Lion Cove P-cores and 4 Skymont E-cores with 20 MB L3 cache, 16EU integrated graphics, and a $246 launch price.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
10 threads handle everyday productivity and development well, but heavy multi-threaded workloads will be constrained by the 4 E-core limit.
10 cores handle light to moderate productivity well, but the reduced E-core count and smaller L3 cache limit performance in heavily multi-threaded applications.
Gaming
The 6 P-cores with 4.9 GHz boost provide strong gaming performance when paired with a capable GPU, though the limited E-core count means less headroom for background tasks.
With a capable discrete GPU, the 6 P-cores provide sufficient performance for most gaming scenarios. The 4.9 GHz boost keeps frame rates competitive, though fewer E-cores slightly impact heavily threaded titles.
Virtualization
10 threads support a couple of VMs, but the lack of SMT and limited E-cores make it less ideal for serious virtualization.
Limited by 10 cores and 20 MB cache, making it adequate for 2-3 VMs but not ideal for heavy virtualization workloads.
Efficiency
65W TDP for 10 modern cores represents good efficiency, particularly in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads.
The 3 nm process and 65W TDP deliver strong efficiency, comparable to other Arrow Lake-S models with similar power profiles.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- NPU 3 provides 13 TOPS for AI inference tasks
- 16EU Xe-LPG contributes only 4 TOPS from the GPU
- CPU contributes 6 TOPS for a total of 23 TOPS
- Lowest combined AI performance in the Arrow Lake-S desktop lineup
- NPU 3 provides 13 TOPS, same as higher-tier Ultra 5 models
- Total AI performance reduced to 19 TOPS due to lack of iGPU contribution
- Still useful for background AI tasks like noise cancellation and blur
- CPU-based AI inference benefits from Lion Cove P-core architecture
Content Creation
Gaming
- 6 Lion Cove P-cores deliver strong single-threaded gaming performance
- 4.9 GHz boost is competitive but 100 MHz below the 235's 5.0 GHz
- Limited E-cores mean less background task headroom during gaming
- Best paired with a mid-range discrete GPU to avoid CPU bottlenecks
- 6 P-cores with 4.9 GHz boost handle most games well when paired with a mid-range GPU
- No iGPU means a discrete GPU is absolutely required
- Performance is largely GPU-bound at 1440p and above
- Fewer E-cores may reduce 1% low frame rates in CPU-heavy titles
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Lowest entry price into the LGA 1851 ecosystem at $246
- 6 Lion Cove P-cores provide excellent single-threaded performance
- 65W TDP is easy to cool with affordable solutions
- Includes NPU 3 even at the entry price point
- Full PCIe 5.0 and DDR5-6400 platform features
Cons
- Only 4 E-cores limit multi-threaded performance significantly
- 20 MB L3 cache is 4 MB less than 14-core models
- 16EU iGPU is the weakest in the Arrow Lake-S lineup at just 4 GPU TOPS
- No Hyper-Threading means 10 threads total
- At $246, the $11 difference to the 235 buys you 4 more E-cores and 4 more MB L3
Pros
- Lowest price for Arrow Lake-S at $231
- Same Lion Cove P-cores as more expensive Ultra 5 models
- NPU 3 included despite budget positioning
- Disabled iGPU frees all PCIe resources for discrete devices
- Standard 65W power profile is easy to cool
- Modern platform with DDR5-6400 and PCIe 5.0
Cons
- No integrated graphics at all, discrete GPU required
- Only 4 E-cores reduce multi-threaded performance significantly
- 20 MB L3 cache is smaller than 24 MB on 14-core models
- Lower 4.9 GHz boost than other Ultra 5 processors
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- Total AI TOPS reduced to 19 without iGPU contribution
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core Ultra 5 225
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600XRival
Budget 6-Core Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600Rival
Value 6-Core Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 8600GRival
Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 235Rival
Same Platform Step-Up
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600Rival
Previous-Gen Value
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600XRival
Mainstream Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600Rival
Budget Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600Rival
Value AM5
- AMD Ryzen 5 7500FRival
Budget AM5
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-14400FRival
Previous Generation
For $16 more, get 4 additional E-cores, 4 MB more L3 cache, and integrated graphics.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
The cheapest way into the LGA 1851 platform with strong single-threaded performance, but the 4 E-cores limit multi-threaded workloads and the 16EU iGPU is purely functional.
Best for: Building a budget gaming PC with a discrete GPU where you want the newest platform features without paying for unnecessary E-cores
Read the full reviewA sensible budget entry into the Arrow Lake platform for users with a discrete GPU, offering modern architecture and AI features at the lowest price point in the Ultra 5 lineup.
Best for: Budget gaming builds where you already have or are buying a discrete GPU, and want the newest Arrow Lake platform at the lowest entry price.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 5 225 or Intel Core Ultra 5 225F?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core Ultra 5 225 or Intel Core Ultra 5 225F?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F leads with a gaming performance score of 80/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 5 225F.
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 5 225F use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core Ultra 5 225: LGA 1851, Intel Core Ultra 5 225F: Intel Socket 1851), so each needs a compatible motherboard.