CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 225 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235
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.
14 threads with strong IPC handle productivity workloads effectively, from office applications to moderate content creation tasks.
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.
Delivers strong gaming performance when paired with a capable discrete GPU. The 3.4 GHz base clock and 5.0 GHz boost provide excellent frame consistency.
Virtualization
10 threads support a couple of VMs, but the lack of SMT and limited E-cores make it less ideal for serious virtualization.
14 threads support several VMs, though the lack of Hyper-Threading means each VM gets fewer logical threads compared to SMT-equipped competitors.
Efficiency
65W TDP for 10 modern cores represents good efficiency, particularly in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads.
65W base TDP is reasonable for 14 cores, and the Skymont E-cores contribute to good efficiency during multi-threaded loads.
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 dedicated AI inference
- 24EU Xe-LPG GPU contributes 6 TOPS
- CPU contributes 8 TOPS for a total of 27 TOPS
- Below the 40 TOPS Copilot+ PC threshold but useful for AI-assisted features
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
- Strong Lion Cove IPC provides excellent per-core gaming performance
- 5.0 GHz boost clock is competitive with AMD's Zen 5
- 14 cores ensure background tasks do not impact gaming framerates
- Best paired with a mid-range to high-end discrete GPU
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
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio at $257
- 14 modern cores with strong single-threaded and multi-threaded capability
- 3.4 GHz base clock ensures consistent performance without turbo dependency
- 24 MB L3 cache benefits both gaming and productivity
- Complete platform with PCIe 5.0, NPU 3, and vPro support
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading reduces thread-level parallelism versus AMD's SMT approach
- DDR5-only means no upgrade path from DDR4 systems
- 27 TOPS combined AI falls short of the 40 TOPS Copilot+ PC requirement
- New LGA 1851 platform limits upgrade options to future Arrow Lake refreshes
- 24EU iGPU is adequate only for display output and basic acceleration
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 5 235
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700XRival
Mid-Range Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700Rival
Value 8-Core Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600XRival
Budget 6-Core Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 7 265Rival
Upper Mid-Range Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600Rival
Previous-Gen Value
Save $11 if you do not need the extra 4 E-cores for your workload.
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 reviewThe best-value Arrow Lake-S processor for most users, offering 14 modern cores with strong single-threaded and multi-threaded performance at a competitive price point.
Best for: Building a new mid-range desktop that needs to balance gaming, productivity, and future AI features without overspending on the CPU
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 5 225 or Intel Core Ultra 5 235?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. 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 5 235?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 leads with a gaming performance score of 82/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 5 235.
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 5 235 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1851 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core Ultra 5 225 (10 cores), Intel Core Ultra 5 235 (14 cores).