Intel Core Ultra 5 225

Name: Intel Core Ultra 5 225
Brand: Intel
SKU: 44175

Manufacturer: Intel

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a desktop processor designed for the LGA 1851 platform, manufactured using a 3 nm semiconductor process. It operates within a 65W thermal design power envelope and supports the Z890 chipset, making it a straightforward option for systems built around Intel's current mainstream desktop architecture. The chip includes integrated graphics, meaning a discrete GPU is not strictly required for basic display output.

On the performance side, the Core Ultra 5 225 combines six cores clocked at 3.3 GHz with four cores running at 2.7 GHz, leveraging big.LITTLE technology for mixed workload handling, with a turbo frequency reaching up to 4.9 GHz. It offers 10 threads, 22 MB of L2 cache, and a PassMark score of 31,044. Memory support extends to DDR5 at up to 6400 MHz across two channels, with a maximum capacity of 192 GB. The integrated GPU runs at a base of 300 MHz, boosts to 1800 MHz, and supports up to four displays via DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5. PCIe 5.0 connectivity is also included, along with a standard instruction set suite covering AVX2, AES, FMA3, and related extensions.

Pros

Supports DDR5 memory at speeds up to 6400 MHz across two channels, with a maximum capacity ceiling of 192 GB
Integrated graphics capable of driving up to four displays simultaneously, with a boost clock reaching 1800 MHz
big.LITTLE core configuration allows the processor to distribute workloads across two distinct clock speed tiers, with turbo reaching 4.9 GHz
PCIe 5.0 support enables compatibility with the latest generation of expansion hardware
Built on a 3 nm manufacturing process, paired with a 65W TDP
Broad instruction set support including AVX2, AES, and FMA3 covers vectorized and encryption-heavy workloads

Cons

Multiplier is locked, removing the option to adjust clock speeds manually through that method
ECC memory is not supported, ruling out error-correcting configurations
Single-core PassMark result of 4,471 reflects modest per-thread throughput for the platform
Only 10 threads across 10 cores leaves limited headroom for heavily threaded workloads

Who is this for?

This processor is a reasonable fit for users building a capable everyday desktop system centered around the Z890 platform, particularly those who want integrated display output across up to four screens without needing a dedicated GPU. Its DDR5 support at up to 6400 MHz and a 192 GB memory ceiling make it well-suited for memory-intensive productivity workflows such as content management, office applications, or light creative tasks. The inclusion of AES and AVX2 instruction sets also makes it practical for users running encryption-dependent or vectorized workloads on a power-efficient 65W platform.

Who is this NOT for?

Users with demanding requirements around heavily threaded workloads — such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or large-scale compilation tasks — may find the 10-thread ceiling limiting under sustained parallel loads. The locked multiplier makes this a poor match for anyone interested in manual overclocking, and the absence of ECC memory support means it is unsuitable for error-sensitive or workstation-grade applications where data integrity under continuous operation is a requirement.

General info:

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a desktop processor built for the LGA 1851 socket and compatible with the Z890 chipset. It is manufactured on a 3 nm process and carries a thermal design power of 65W, with a maximum operating temperature of 105 °C. The chip includes integrated graphics and supports 64-bit computing, along with PCIe 5.0 for connectivity with modern expansion hardware.

Performance:

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

The Core Ultra 5 225 uses a ten-core, ten-thread configuration split across two cluster types via big.LITTLE technology, with six cores running at 3.3 GHz and four cores at 2.7 GHz, reaching up to 4.9 GHz under Turbo Boost 2. The chip carries a clock multiplier of 33, though the multiplier is locked, meaning manual overclocking through that method is not supported. Rounding out the performance specs, it includes 22 MB of L2 cache to help sustain throughput across varied workloads.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result	31044
PassMark result (single)	4471

In PassMark testing, the Core Ultra 5 225 achieves a multi-core score of 31,044, while its single-core result stands at 4,471, reflecting the processor's per-thread execution capability alongside its overall throughput across all cores.

Integrated graphics:

GPU clock speed	300 MHz
GPU turbo	1800 MHz
DirectX version	DirectX 12
supported displays	4
OpenGL version	4.5
OpenCL version	3

The integrated graphics unit runs at a base clock of 300 MHz and can boost up to 1800 MHz, with support for up to four simultaneous displays. It is compatible with DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, and OpenCL 3, covering a broad range of standard graphics and compute workloads without requiring a discrete GPU.

Memory:

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

The Core Ultra 5 225 supports DDR5 memory across two channels, with a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz and an upper capacity limit of 192 GB. ECC memory is not supported, placing this processor firmly in the standard consumer desktop segment rather than error-correcting workstation use cases.

Features:

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

The Core Ultra 5 225 supports a broad set of instruction extensions, including AVX2, FMA3, and AES, alongside MMX, F16C, AVX, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, covering vectorized math, floating-point operations, and hardware-accelerated encryption. The processor also includes the NX bit, enabling hardware-level memory protection to help prevent certain classes of malicious code execution.

Final Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a well-defined desktop processor for users who want a modern LGA 1851 platform with DDR5 memory support, integrated multi-display output, and a restrained 65W power envelope. Its big.LITTLE core architecture paired with DDR5 at up to 6400 MHz gives it a practical edge in everyday productivity and memory-intensive tasks, while the broad instruction set coverage adds genuine utility for encryption and vectorized workloads. That said, its locked multiplier and 10-thread ceiling naturally position it away from heavy parallel computing or overclocking scenarios. Taken as a whole, the Core Ultra 5 225 is a coherent choice for a mainstream desktop build where efficiency, integrated graphics flexibility, and platform modernity matter more than raw threaded throughput.