Intel Core Ultra 5 225
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F

Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Intel Core Ultra 5 225F

Overview

Welcome to this detailed specification comparison between the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F, two closely related desktop processors sharing the same LGA 1851 socket and Z890 chipset platform. While these CPUs are built on an identical foundation, key battlegrounds emerge around integrated graphics capability and maximum memory support, making the choice between them more nuanced than it might first appear. Read on to discover which processor aligns best with your needs.

Common Features

  • Both products are Desktop CPUs.
  • Both use the LGA 1851 CPU socket.
  • Both are compatible with the Z890 chipset.
  • Both have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 65W.
  • Both are built on a 3 nm semiconductor size.
  • Both have a maximum CPU temperature of 105 °C.
  • Both support PCI Express (PCIe) version 5.
  • Both support 64-bit computing.
  • Both have a CPU speed of 6 x 3.3 & 4 x 2.7 GHz.
  • Both have 10 CPU threads.
  • Both have a turbo clock speed of 4.9 GHz.
  • Neither product has an unlocked multiplier.
  • Both have 22 MB of L2 cache.
  • Both use big.LITTLE technology.
  • Both have a clock multiplier of 33.
  • Both support Turbo Boost version 2.
  • Both support a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz.
  • Both use DDR5 memory.
  • Both have 2 memory channels.
  • ECC memory is not supported on either product.
  • Both share the same instruction sets: MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2.
  • The NX bit feature is present on both products.

Main Differences

  • Integrated graphics are present on the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 but not available on the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F.
  • The PassMark result is 31044 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and 31588 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F.
  • The PassMark result (single core) is 4471 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and 4470 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F.
  • The maximum memory amount is 192 GB on the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and 256 GB on the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F.
Specs Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 225

Intel Core Ultra 5 225

Intel Core Ultra 5 225F

Intel Core Ultra 5 225F

General info:
Type Desktop Desktop
CPU socket LGA 1851 LGA 1851
chipset Z890 Z890
Has integrated graphics
release date January 2025 January 2025
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 65W 65W
semiconductor size 3 nm 3 nm
CPU temperature 105 °C 105 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5 5
Supports 64-bit

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Core Ultra 5 225F are nearly identical at the platform level, sharing the same LGA 1851 socket, Z890 chipset compatibility, 65W TDP, 3 nm process node, and PCIe 5.0 support. For anyone building a desktop system around either chip, the platform investment — motherboard, cooler, and memory — is completely interchangeable between the two.

The single defining difference is that the Core Ultra 5 225 includes integrated graphics, while the 225F does not. In practice, this matters significantly depending on the build context. The 225 can drive a display without a discrete GPU, making it viable for office systems, HTPCs, or as a fallback during GPU troubleshooting. The 225F, by contrast, requires a dedicated graphics card at all times — a real constraint if the system ever needs to run without one.

For a dedicated gaming or workstation build where a discrete GPU is always present, both chips are effectively equivalent in platform capability, and the 225F may offer a marginal cost advantage. However, for flexibility and broader use-case coverage, the Core Ultra 5 225 holds a clear edge in this group purely due to its integrated graphics — a feature that costs nothing in power budget or platform compatibility but adds meaningful versatility.

Performance:
CPU speed 6 x 3.3 & 4 x 2.7 GHz 6 x 3.3 & 4 x 2.7 GHz
CPU threads 10 threads 10 threads
turbo clock speed 4.9GHz 4.9GHz
Has an unlocked multiplier
L2 cache 22 MB 22 MB
Uses big.LITTLE technology
clock multiplier 33 33
Turbo Boost version 2 2

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 5 225F share identical performance specifications across the board. Both processors have the same CPU speed configuration, with 6 cores running at 3.3 GHz and 4 cores running at 2.7 GHz. They also both feature a turbo clock speed of 4.9 GHz, providing additional performance when needed. Additionally, both processors utilize big.LITTLE technology, allowing for efficient handling of tasks by balancing the use of high-performance and power-efficient cores.

In terms of threading, both the 225 and 225F support 10 threads, ensuring multitasking capabilities and efficient processing of parallel workloads. Both also share an identical L2 cache size of 22 MB, which helps improve data access speeds and overall performance. Furthermore, neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, meaning overclocking is not an option with either model.

Finally, both processors use the same clock multiplier of 33 and include the same version of Turbo Boost (version 2), allowing for a performance boost when the system demands it. Given the exact match in these performance specifications, users can expect similar processing power from both the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F.

Benchmarks:
PassMark result 31044 31588
PassMark result (single) 4471 4470

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 5 225F have very similar benchmark results. In the overall PassMark benchmark, the 225F scores 31,588, while the 225 scores slightly lower at 31,044. This shows a marginal difference in performance, with the 225F outperforming the 225 by a small margin.

When it comes to single-threaded performance, both processors are nearly identical, with the 225F scoring 4,470 and the 225 scoring 4,471. This difference of just 1 point indicates almost identical single-threaded capabilities between the two processors.

Overall, both processors perform similarly, with the 225F having a slight edge in multi-threaded performance but negligible differences in single-threaded performance.

Memory:
RAM speed (max) 6400 MHz 6400 MHz
DDR memory version 5 5
memory channels 2 2
maximum memory amount 192GB 256GB
Supports ECC memory

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 5 225F share several similarities in their memory specifications. Both processors support a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz, use DDR5 memory, and operate with 2 memory channels. These similarities indicate that they can handle high-speed memory with the same level of efficiency and bandwidth.

However, the two differ in terms of maximum memory capacity. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 supports up to 192GB of memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F can handle a larger maximum of 256GB. Both processors do not support ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory, so they are not suitable for applications that require memory error correction.

In summary, the main difference between these two processors in the memory category is the maximum supported memory, with the 225F offering a higher capacity compared to the 225.

Features:
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2 MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has NX bit

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Core Ultra 5 225F share identical features in terms of instruction sets and additional functionalities. Both processors support the same set of instruction sets, including MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of applications and software that rely on these advanced processing features.

Additionally, both processors have the NX bit enabled, which provides an extra layer of security by preventing the execution of code in certain areas of memory, a feature beneficial for safeguarding against certain types of malware.

In summary, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F are identical in terms of features, offering the same instruction set support and security capabilities.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

After examining the full specification profile of both processors, it is clear that the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F are nearly identical performers sharing the same core architecture, TDP, clock speeds, and feature set. The most defining distinction is that the Core Ultra 5 225 includes integrated graphics, making it the more self-contained solution for builds without a dedicated GPU. The 225F, on the other hand, edges ahead in multi-core PassMark score (31588 vs 31044) and supports a higher maximum memory capacity of 256 GB compared to 192 GB on the 225. For general-purpose desktop builds or media systems where a discrete GPU may not always be present, the Core Ultra 5 225 offers greater flexibility. For power users and workstation builders who will always pair the chip with a dedicated GPU and may benefit from larger memory headroom, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the more future-proof choice.

Intel Core Ultra 5 225
Buy Intel Core Ultra 5 225 if...

Buy the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 if you want a versatile desktop build that does not require a dedicated GPU, thanks to its built-in integrated graphics.

Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
Buy Intel Core Ultra 5 225F if...

Buy the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F if you plan to use a discrete GPU and want the advantage of a higher maximum memory capacity of 256 GB alongside a slightly better multi-core benchmark score.