CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 225 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265
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.
20 cores chew through multi-threaded productivity apps.
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.
Excellent gaming performance, comparable to higher-tier chips at 1440p.
Virtualization
10 threads support a couple of VMs, but the lack of SMT and limited E-cores make it less ideal for serious virtualization.
Great for running multiple VMs locally.
Efficiency
65W TDP for 10 modern cores represents good efficiency, particularly in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads.
Good efficiency, though 182W turbo draws power 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 handles background AI, but heavy AI requires GPU.
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
- High boost clocks benefit CPU-bound games
- Pairs well with RTX 4070 / RX 7800 XT class GPUs
- L3 cache is smaller than X3D chips
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
- Great balance of price and performance
- 20 physical cores
- High 5.3 GHz boost clock
- Includes 32 EU integrated graphics
- Supports PCIe 5.0
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier
- LGA 1851 requires new motherboard
- Turbo power can spike to 182W
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 7 265
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i7-14700Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 245Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 7 265FRival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700XAlt
Better gaming efficiency.
More threads and PCIe lanes.
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 solid mid-to-high-tier desktop CPU offering excellent single-core performance and a massive core count, though lacking Hyper-Threading.
Best for: Mainstream gaming and productivity build
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 5 225 or Intel Core Ultra 7 265?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 comes out ahead with a score of 8.7/10. 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 7 265?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 leads with a gaming performance score of 90/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 7 265.
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 7 265 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core Ultra 5 225: LGA 1851, Intel Core Ultra 7 265: Intel Socket 1851), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core Ultra 5 225 (10 cores), Intel Core Ultra 7 265 (20 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core Ultra 7 265 (28,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.