CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 225H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is a thin-and-light mobile processor featuring 14 hybrid cores, including low-power E-cores, and an Arc 130T integrated GPU for balanced performance.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
14 cores provide smooth performance, though the low base clock can cause lag in bursty tasks.
14 strong cores handle multi-threaded creator workloads efficiently.
Gaming
The Arc 130T iGPU handles esports and older AAA titles well at 1080p medium settings.
Paired with a discrete GPU, the high clock speeds and fast DDR5 memory provide top-tier mobile gaming.
Virtualization
Adequate for light VMs, but limited by 28W base power and 8 PCIe lanes.
Solid performance for local VMs, aided by 20 PCIe lanes for fast storage.
Efficiency
LP-E cores ensure exceptional battery life during idle and light tasks.
Poor battery life when unplugged due to the high 55W base power and lack of LP-E cores.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 83 TOPS easily meets Copilot+ PC requirements
- Arc GPU handles the bulk of AI workloads
- 13 TOPS NPU handles background AI efficiently
- Only 13 TOPS NPU, falling short of Copilot+ requirements
- Relies on discrete GPU for serious AI workloads
- CPU-based AI inference is capable but slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- Arc 130T is a major leap over previous Intel iGPUs
- Best suited for 1080p gaming
- Performance scales well when OEMs allow higher power limits
- High base clock prevents significant frequency drops during gaming
- Ideal pairing for RTX 4080/4090 mobile GPUs
- Unlocked multiplier can squeeze out extra FPS
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency via LP-E cores
- Strong Arc 130T integrated graphics
- Capable 83 TOPS AI performance
- Flexible DDR5 and LPDDR5X support
- Good battery life
Cons
- Low 1.7 GHz base clock limits sustained performance
- Limited to 8 CPU-direct PCIe Gen 5 lanes
- No overclocking support
- Reliant on OEMs for proper power tuning
Pros
- Unlocked for enthusiast overclocking
- Massive 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes
- High 3.1 GHz base clock
- Strong single-core performance
- 24MB of L3 cache
Cons
- High power draw limits battery life
- Requires bulky laptop cooling solutions
- Weak 13 TOPS NPU
- Xe-LPG iGPU is outdated for gaming
- No Hyper-Threading
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core Ultra 5 225H
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840HSRival
Thin-and-Light
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Premium Mobile
If you need more power and don't mind a thicker laptop with worse battery life.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Alt
Strong alternative if you prioritize battery life and AI efficiency.
Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXRival
Enthusiast Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950HXRival
Next-Gen Enthusiast
Offers more cores and higher clocks if budget allows.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HSAlt
Better battery life and AI performance if you don't need PCIe Gen 5.
Our Verdict on Each
The 225H provides a solid balance of multi-core performance and efficiency for everyday laptops, though its 28W base power limits peak performance compared to HX-series chips.
Best for: Purchasing a premium thin-and-light laptop for work, school, and light gaming.
Read the full reviewThe 245HX brings desktop-class features like an unlocked multiplier and vast PCIe connectivity to the mobile space, making it a powerhouse for thick-and-heavy enthusiast laptops.
Best for: Enthusiasts buying a thick gaming laptop who want to manually overclock.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 5 225H or Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX comes out ahead with a score of 8.5/10. 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 225H or Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX leads with a gaming performance score of 88/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 225H and Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 5 225H (28 W), Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX (55 W).
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 225H and Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core Ultra 5 225H: Intel BGA 2049, Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX: Intel BGA 2114), so each needs a compatible motherboard.