Quick Verdict
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.
Overview
Launch
2025
Status
ActiveGeneration
Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake)
Market
Desktop
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 Core Ultra 5 225 offers 6 Lion Cove P-cores and 4 Skymont E-cores for users who want Arrow Lake's IPC improvements without paying for cores they may not need. At $246, it provides strong single-threaded performance and a modern feature set including NPU 3, but the 20 MB L3 cache and minimal 16EU iGPU clearly position it as a discrete-GPU-dependent budget option.
Specifications
Performance
10 threads handle everyday productivity and development well, but heavy multi-threaded workloads will be constrained by the 4 E-core limit.
10 threads support a couple of VMs, but the lack of SMT and limited E-cores make it less ideal for serious virtualization.
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.
65W TDP for 10 modern cores represents good efficiency, particularly in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads.
- •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
- •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
Architecture
3nm (TSMC)
Process Node
Arrow Lake-S
Codename
10C / 10T
Core Config
20 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The 225 uses the same Arrow Lake-S tile design as higher-tier models but with a reduced E-core count, resulting in a smaller active L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB on 14-core models).
CPU Design
6 Lion Cove P-cores provide the primary compute capability while 4 Skymont E-cores handle background and parallelizable tasks. No Hyper-Threading.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR5-6400 native support through the IO tile memory controller.
PCIe & I/O
20 PCIe 5.0 lanes from the CPU for the GPU plus 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes from the chipset for NVMe storage.
Overclocking
Multiplier is locked. Memory overclocking available on Z890 motherboards.
- Lion Cove P-cores offer substantially higher IPC than Raptor Cove
- Skymont E-cores are far more capable than Gracemont
- NPU 3 adds AI inference capability not present in 14th Gen i5
- DDR5-only platform simplifies the memory controller design
- Lower power consumption at equivalent or better performance
Key Highlights
- 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
- 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
History
The Core Ultra 5 225 served as the entry point into Intel's Arrow Lake-S desktop lineup when it debuted in January 2025. With 10 cores—6 Lion Cove P-cores and 4 Skymont E-cores—the 225 targeted users who wanted the architectural improvements of Arrow Lake without paying for additional E-cores they might not need.</br></br>At $246, it was the most affordable way to access the new LGA 1851 platform, DDR5-only memory support, and the NPU 3 neural processing unit that Intel promoted as essential for future AI workloads.
The 225 retained the same 65-watt base power as its higher-tier siblings but shipped with a smaller 20 MB L3 cache and the minimal 16EU Xe-LPG integrated graphics, clearly signaling that buyers were expected to pair it with a discrete GPU.</br></br>Intel offered two steppings—A0 and B0 (SRVF7 and SRQCZ respectively)—indicating ongoing manufacturing refinements during the early production window. The close $11 price gap to the 14-core 235 sparked debate about whether the 225's value proposition was strong enough or if most buyers should simply step up to the 235.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Lion Cove P-cores offer substantially higher IPC than Raptor Cove
- Skymont E-cores are far more capable than Gracemont
- NPU 3 adds AI inference capability not present in 14th Gen i5
- DDR5-only platform simplifies the memory controller design
- Lower power consumption at equivalent or better performance
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Building a budget gaming PC with a discrete GPU where you want the newest platform features without paying for unnecessary E-cores
Avoid if…
- You do any regular video editing or 3D rendering where the extra E-cores of the 235 would help
- You need integrated graphics for any meaningful GPU work
- You are upgrading from a recent 14th Gen i5 and the platform cost does not justify minimal gains
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The 225 ships with two different part numbers—SRVF7 (A0 stepping) and SRQCZ (B0 stepping)—making it one of the few Intel desktop CPUs to officially ship in multiple steppings simultaneously.
Despite being the cheapest Arrow Lake-S desktop processor, it still contains the full 17.8 billion transistor die, with E-cores and L3 cache simply disabled.
The 225's 16EU Xe-LPG iGPU is architecturally identical to the one found in Intel's 12th Gen Alder Lake processors, making it a three-generation-old graphics design.
With only 4 E-cores, the 225 has a 60:40 P-core to E-core ratio, the most P-core-heavy configuration in the Arrow Lake-S desktop lineup.
The 225 was the only Arrow Lake-S desktop processor at launch to lack the AVX-VNNI instruction extension, which was included on the 235 and above.
Its 3.3 GHz base clock is just 100 MHz below the 235's 3.4 GHz, meaning single-threaded sustained performance is nearly identical.
The 225 lacks VT-rp (Virtualization Redirect Protection), SIPP, and TME features that are present on the 235, indicating feature segmentation beyond just core count.
At 23 TOPS combined AI performance, the 225 has the lowest AI capability in the Arrow Lake-S desktop family.
The $246 launch price actually represents a higher price-per-core ($24.60) than the 235 ($18.36 per core), making the 235 the better value on a per-core basis.
The 225's B0 stepping (SRQCZ) likely became the primary shipping version as production matured, with the A0 (SRVF7) being early production inventory.
People Also Ask
Is the Core Ultra 5 225 good for budget gaming?
Yes, when paired with a mid-range discrete GPU like an RTX 4060 or RX 7600, the 225 delivers strong 1080p gaming performance thanks to its 6 Lion Cove P-cores.
What is the difference between Core Ultra 5 225 and 225T?
The 225 has a 65W PL1 for sustained performance, while the 225T has a 35W PL1 for low-power builds. The 225 also has slightly different feature support including AVX-VNNI.
Does the Core Ultra 5 225 support DDR4?
No. Arrow Lake-S and the LGA 1851 socket are DDR5-only. There is no DDR4 compatibility.
What GPU pairs well with the Core Ultra 5 225?
Mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4060, RX 7600, or RTX 4060 Ti are appropriate pairings that match the 225's performance level without being bottlenecked.
Is the Core Ultra 5 225 better than the i5-14600K?
The 225 has newer architecture with better IPC and efficiency, but the i5-14600K has more threads (20 vs 10) due to Hyper-Threading and more E-cores, making it faster in heavily multi-threaded tasks.
Does the Core Ultra 5 225 have an NPU?
Yes, it includes the NPU 3 unit with 13 TOPS of AI inference performance.
What is the A0 and B0 stepping on the 225?
SRVF7 is the A0 stepping (early production) and SRQCZ is the B0 stepping (refined production). B0 typically has better silicon quality and may include errata fixes.
Can the Core Ultra 5 225 handle productivity workloads?
It handles office productivity, web browsing, and light development well. For heavy multi-threaded workloads like video editing or 3D rendering, the 235 with its additional E-cores would be noticeably better.
Is the Core Ultra 5 225 future-proof?
The LGA 1851 platform will likely support at least one more generation of processors. However, with only 10 threads, the 225 may show its limitations sooner than 14-thread or higher models in multi-threaded workloads.
What is the best cooler for the Core Ultra 5 225?
A quality single-tower air cooler like the Thermalright Peerless Assassin or a 120mm AIO is sufficient for the 225's 65W base and 121W PL2 power envelope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the part numbers for the Core Ultra 5 225?
SRQCZ (B0 stepping) and SRVF7 (A0 stepping).
What socket does the 225 use?
LGA 1851.
How much L3 cache does the 225 have?
20 MB of shared L3 cache.
What is the TDP of the 225?
65W base TDP with 121W PL2 turbo power.
Does the 225 support PCIe 5.0?
Yes, 20 PCIe 5.0 lanes from the CPU.
What integrated graphics does the 225 have?
Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 Execution Units, dynamic frequency up to 1800 MHz.
What is the maximum boost clock?
P-cores boost up to 4.9 GHz, E-cores up to 4.4 GHz.
Does the 225 support vPro?
No, the 225 does not include vPro support, which is reserved for higher-tier models like the 235.
What is the E-core base clock?
2.7 GHz.
Does the 225 support ECC memory?
No, ECC memory is not supported on the Arrow Lake-S desktop platform.