Quick Verdict
A sensible budget entry into the Arrow Lake platform for users with a discrete GPU, offering modern architecture and AI features at the lowest price point in the Ultra 5 lineup.
Overview
Launch
2025
Status
ActiveGeneration
Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake)
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F is the most affordable entry point into the Arrow Lake-S desktop platform, launched at $231 on January 7, 2025. It features a reduced core configuration of 6 Lion Cove P-cores and 4 Skymont E-cores for a total of 10 cores and 10 threads, along with a smaller 20 MB L3 cache compared to the 24 MB found on higher-tier Ultra 5 models. As an F-series processor, the integrated graphics are completely disabled, making a discrete GPU mandatory for any display output. This cost reduction allows Intel to position the 225F as a budget-friendly option for gamers and productivity users who already own or plan to purchase a dedicated graphics card. Despite the reductions, the 225F retains the NPU 3 with 13 TOPS for AI workloads, PCIe 5.0 support, and DDR5-6400 native memory speeds. With a standard 65W TDP and PL1, and a 121W PL2 for boost, it delivers straightforward power characteristics that are easy to pair with mainstream cooling solutions. The processor is available in two part numbers corresponding to A0 and B0 steppings.
The Core Ultra 5 225F strips the iGPU and reduces E-cores to 4 (from 8) with a 20 MB L3 cache, cutting the price to $231 while keeping 6 powerful Lion Cove P-cores, NPU 3 AI acceleration, and full DDR5-6400 and PCIe 5.0 support.
Specifications
Performance
10 cores handle light to moderate productivity well, but the reduced E-core count and smaller L3 cache limit performance in heavily multi-threaded applications.
Limited by 10 cores and 20 MB cache, making it adequate for 2-3 VMs but not ideal for heavy virtualization workloads.
With a capable discrete GPU, the 6 P-cores provide sufficient performance for most gaming scenarios. The 4.9 GHz boost keeps frame rates competitive, though fewer E-cores slightly impact heavily threaded titles.
The 3 nm process and 65W TDP deliver strong efficiency, comparable to other Arrow Lake-S models with similar power profiles.
- •6 P-cores with 4.9 GHz boost handle most games well when paired with a mid-range GPU
- •No iGPU means a discrete GPU is absolutely required
- •Performance is largely GPU-bound at 1440p and above
- •Fewer E-cores may reduce 1% low frame rates in CPU-heavy titles
- •NPU 3 provides 13 TOPS, same as higher-tier Ultra 5 models
- •Total AI performance reduced to 19 TOPS due to lack of iGPU contribution
- •Still useful for background AI tasks like noise cancellation and blur
- •CPU-based AI inference benefits from Lion Cove P-core architecture
Architecture
3nm (TSMC)
Process Node
Arrow Lake-S
Codename
10C / 10T
Core Config
20 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The 225F uses a partially disabled Arrow Lake-S die, with 2 of the 8 E-cores and 4 MB of L3 cache disabled compared to the full 14-core configuration. This is a common Intel practice for creating lower-tier SKUs from a single die design.
CPU Design
6 Lion Cove P-cores provide the primary compute power with improved IPC over Raptor Cove. Only 4 Skymont E-cores are active, reducing multi-threaded throughput compared to 14-core models but maintaining the same P-core single-threaded capability.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR5 with native 6400 MT/s support, identical to other Arrow Lake-S processors.
PCIe & I/O
20 Gen 5 lanes plus 4 Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, unchanged from the full die configuration.
Overclocking
Multiplier is locked. The disabled iGPU means all PCIe lanes remain available for discrete devices.
- New Lion Cove P-core architecture with substantial IPC improvement
- Skymont E-cores replacing Raptor Cove E-cores
- Built-in NPU 3 for AI workloads (absent on 14400F)
- PCIe 5.0 support from CPU (vs 4.0 on 14400F)
- DDR5-6400 native support (vs DDR5-4800 on 14400F)
- 3 nm manufacturing process (vs Intel 7 on 14400F)
Key Highlights
- Lowest price for Arrow Lake-S at $231
- Same Lion Cove P-cores as more expensive Ultra 5 models
- NPU 3 included despite budget positioning
- Disabled iGPU frees all PCIe resources for discrete devices
- Standard 65W power profile is easy to cool
- Modern platform with DDR5-6400 and PCIe 5.0
- No integrated graphics at all, discrete GPU required
- Only 4 E-cores reduce multi-threaded performance significantly
- 20 MB L3 cache is smaller than 24 MB on 14-core models
- Lower 4.9 GHz boost than other Ultra 5 processors
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- Total AI TOPS reduced to 19 without iGPU contribution
History
The Core Ultra 5 225F continues Intel's long-standing F-series tradition of offering disabled-iGPU variants at reduced prices, but it marks the first time this approach has been applied within the Core Ultra branding.
Previous F-series processors like the i5-13400F and i5-14400F were significant volume drivers for Intel, and the 225F serves the same role for Arrow Lake-S. By launching it alongside the K-series and T-series in January 2025 rather than months later, Intel signaled that budget variants are now a first-class concern rather than an afterthought.
The 225F's reduced core count of 10 (6P+4E) and 20 MB L3 cache indicate a partially disabled die rather than a unique small die, which is typical Intel binning practice. The existence of two steppings (A0 and B0) suggests production started early and transitioned to refined silicon during the model's lifecycle.
At $231, it positions Arrow Lake as accessible to budget-conscious gamers, an important consideration as AMD's Ryzen 5 9600X competes aggressively in the same price bracket.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- New Lion Cove P-core architecture with substantial IPC improvement
- Skymont E-cores replacing Raptor Cove E-cores
- Built-in NPU 3 for AI workloads (absent on 14400F)
- PCIe 5.0 support from CPU (vs 4.0 on 14400F)
- DDR5-6400 native support (vs DDR5-4800 on 14400F)
- 3 nm manufacturing process (vs Intel 7 on 14400F)
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Budget gaming builds where you already have or are buying a discrete GPU, and want the newest Arrow Lake platform at the lowest entry price.
Avoid if…
- You need integrated graphics for any reason
- You regularly run heavily multi-threaded workloads
- You want the most gaming performance for the price (Ryzen 5 9600X may be better)
- You plan to upgrade cores in the future (same socket, but higher core counts may be limited)
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The 225F is the first F-series processor under Intel's Core Ultra branding.
Its 20 MB L3 cache strongly suggests a partially disabled 14-core Arrow Lake die rather than a unique smaller die.
Two separate part numbers exist: SRQD2 (B0 stepping) and SRVF9 (A0 stepping), indicating a production transition.
Despite having fewer cores, the 225F still uses the same 243 mm² die size as 14-core models.
The removal of the iGPU reduces total AI TOPS from 27 to 19, as the GPU's 6 TOPS contribution is lost.
At $231, it is cheaper than the Ryzen 5 9600X at launch, though pricing fluctuates.
The 225F's 4 Skymont E-cores individually outperform the Raptor Cove E-cores found in the i5-14400F.
Arrow Lake-S F-series processors mark a shift from Intel's previous practice of launching F-variants months after the main lineup.
The processor's 10-core configuration mirrors the core count of the 10th-gen Comet Lake i9-10900K, showing how core counts have democratized.
Disabling the iGPU does not change the physical die, meaning the silicon area is still present but non-functional.
People Also Ask
Why does the Core Ultra 5 225F have no integrated graphics?
The F-series designation means the integrated graphics are disabled at the factory to reduce cost. This is intended for users who will use a discrete GPU anyway.
Do I need a dedicated GPU with the 225F?
Yes, absolutely. Without integrated graphics, the system cannot display any output without a discrete graphics card installed.
How many cores does the Core Ultra 5 225F have?
10 cores total: 6 Lion Cove P-cores and 4 Skymont E-cores, with 10 threads (no Hyper-Threading).
Why does the 225F have less L3 cache?
The 20 MB L3 cache (vs 24 MB on 14-core models) is a result of disabling 4 E-cores, as the L3 cache is partitioned with the E-core clusters.
Can the 225F be overclocked?
No, the CPU multiplier is locked. Only BCLK and memory tuning options are available.
What is the boost clock of the 225F?
Up to 4.9 GHz on P-cores, with E-cores boosting up to 4.4 GHz.
Does the 225F still have an NPU?
Yes, the NPU 3 with 13 TOPS is retained despite the budget positioning and disabled iGPU.
What is the launch price of the Core Ultra 5 225F?
$231, making it the cheapest Arrow Lake-S processor at launch.
Is the 225F compatible with Z890 motherboards?
Yes, it works with all Socket 1851 chipsets: Z890, B860, W880, Q870, and H810.
What are the two part numbers for the 225F?
SRQD2 corresponds to the B0 stepping and SRVF9 corresponds to the A0 stepping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Core Ultra 5 225F have any integrated graphics?
No, the iGPU is completely disabled. A discrete GPU is required for display output.
Can you overclock the 225F?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What is the TDP of the 225F?
65W TDP with 65W PL1 and 121W PL2.
What socket does it use?
Intel Socket 1851.
Does the 225F support ECC memory?
No.
How many PCIe lanes does it have?
20 PCIe 5.0 lanes and 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes from the CPU.
What is the total AI TOPS?
19 TOPS total: 6 TOPS from CPU and 13 TOPS from NPU 3.
Which chipsets are compatible?
Z890, B860, W880, Q870, and H810.
Does the 225F support Hyper-Threading?
No, Arrow Lake does not use Hyper-Threading. 10 physical cores provide 10 threads.
What is the L3 cache size?
20 MB shared L3 cache.