CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 225 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T
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.
Handles office and development workloads well, but sustained multi-core tasks run slower due to power constraints.
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.
Adequate for gaming when paired with a discrete GPU, but the 35W PL1 may cause lower 1% lows in CPU-bound scenarios compared to the standard 225.
Virtualization
10 threads support a couple of VMs, but the lack of SMT and limited E-cores make it less ideal for serious virtualization.
10 threads are usable for light VM workloads, but power limits make it less ideal for running multiple VMs simultaneously.
Efficiency
65W TDP for 10 modern cores represents good efficiency, particularly in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads.
Excellent efficiency at base power, though the PL2 turbo window means actual power draw varies significantly under load.
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 for AI inference tasks
- 16EU Xe-LPG contributes only 4 TOPS from the GPU
- Total combined AI performance is 23 TOPS
- Suitable for basic AI assistance features but not intensive workloads
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
- Requires a discrete GPU for meaningful gaming
- 35W PL1 may limit CPU-bound framerates in some titles
- Strong single-thread IPC of Lion Cove helps in CPU-limited scenarios
- 16EU iGPU is insufficient for modern gaming
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
- 35W PL1 enables very compact and quiet builds
- Modern Lion Cove and Skymont architectures provide strong IPC
- NPU 3 inclusion future-proofs for AI workloads
- Full LGA 1851 platform features including PCIe 5.0
- Lower idle power consumption suitable for always-on systems
Cons
- 35W PL1 significantly reduces sustained performance versus the 225
- Only 16EU Xe-LPG graphics, the weakest iGPU in Arrow Lake-S
- No Hyper-Threading limits thread-level parallelism
- DDR5-only with no backward compatibility
- Hard to justify over the standard 225 for most users
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 225T
- AMD Ryzen 5 8600GERival
Low-Power Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 8600GRival
Desktop APU
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 225Rival
Standard Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 8700GERival
Low-Power Desktop
If available, offers 4 additional E-cores for better multi-threading at similar power.
Compare head-to-headIf upgrading an existing LGA 1700 system, offers a cost-effective path with similar power characteristics.
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 power-efficient 10-core desktop CPU suited for SFF builds and always-on systems, but the severely constrained PL1 limits sustained performance compared to the standard 225.
Best for: Building a compact SFF PC or home server where 35W base power is a hard requirement
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 5 225 or Intel Core Ultra 5 225T?
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 225T?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 5 225T.
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 5 225T use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1851 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.