Intel Arc G3 EXTREME vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225F Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F and the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME are both active 3 nm parts from Intel, but they target different sockets and markets. The desktop-oriented Core Ultra 5 225F edges out the mobile Arc G3 EXTREME in overall average benchmark score, 37313 to 36699, a margin of roughly 1.7%. Both processors sit at the 85th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The head-to-head data records 13 wins for the Core Ultra 5 225F and 4 wins for the Arc G3 EXTREME, making the desktop chip the default choice for most compute-heavy tasks, while the mobile part claims specific victories in encryption, integer math, physics, and random string sorting.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split. For users who prioritize raw multi-threaded rendering, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F is the stronger option. Its lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is 12.4%, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core it is 21.4% ahead. Single-core performance also favors the desktop chip, with a 7.5% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and a 2.4% lead in PassMark single-thread.

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME, despite having 14 cores and 14 threads compared to the 10 cores and 10 threads of the Core Ultra 5 225F, wins where its architecture appears better suited. It is 6.7% ahead in PassMark integer math, 5.2% ahead in data encryption, and 3.4% ahead in physics. It also matches the desktop part in random string sorting with a 0% delta.

For a desktop builder, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the straightforward pick. It wins the two most demanding Cinebench multi-core tests by double digits and holds a single-core advantage across every recorded test. For a mobile or embedded scenario, the Arc G3 EXTREME offers competitive multi-thread scores, within 1.1% in PassMark multithread and within 1% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, while drawing far less power on paper. The choice hinges on whether the workload is rendering-centric or integer/encryption-centric.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a 3 nm process node but use different foundries. The Core Ultra 5 225F is built by TSMC on the Arrow Lake-S die, part of the Core Ultra Series 2 family. The Arc G3 EXTREME is built by Intel Foundry on the Panther Lake die, under the Arc G3 codename. The desktop part has 10 cores and 10 threads, while the mobile part has 14 cores and 14 threads. Both lack ECC memory support and both have locked multipliers.

Cache configurations differ in the L2 and L3 levels. The Core Ultra 5 225F carries 3 MB of L2 per core and 20 MB of shared L3. The Arc G3 EXTREME has 1.9 MB less L2 per core and 18 MB of shared L3. Both have 192 KB of L1 per core. The socket separates them completely: the Core Ultra 5 225F uses Intel Socket 1851, the Arc G3 EXTREME uses Intel BGA 2540. The desktop part supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus at 102.4 GB/s, while the mobile part supports LPDDR5X on a dual-channel bus at 136.5 GB/s.

PCIe lanes also differ sharply. The Core Ultra 5 225F offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes, the Arc G3 EXTREME offers Gen 5 with 4 lanes. The Arc G3 EXTREME includes integrated graphics in the form of Arc B390, while the Core Ultra 5 225F has no integrated graphics. The desktop chip has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, versus 1.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost for the mobile part. The transistor count and die size are recorded only for the Core Ultra 5 225F, at 17,800 million transistors and 243 mm².

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the Core Ultra 5 225F comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 352 against 248, a 41.9% advantage. This is the most lopsided result in the entire comparison. The next biggest win is Cinebench R15 multi-core, with a score of 2660 versus 2192, a 21.4% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows with 16467 versus 14655, a 12.4% lead. PassMark extended instructions shows a 16.7% edge, 28027 to 24017.

Single-core results are consistently in favor of the Core Ultra 5 225F but by smaller margins. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 287 versus 267, a 7.5% lead. PassMark single-thread records 4397 versus 4293, a 2.4% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core is closer at 1.7%, 1893 to 1862. Cinebench R20 single-core is a 1% difference, 1561 to 1545.

The Arc G3 EXTREME wins four tests. PassMark integer math is its largest win: 71164 versus 66417, a 6.7% margin. Data encryption follows with 23881 versus 22648, a 5.2% edge. Physics shows 2515 versus 2430, a 3.4% win. Random string sorting is effectively a tie, 37331 versus 37325, recorded as a 0% delta in favor of the Arc G3 EXTREME.

Several multi-thread workloads are near-parity. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 11059 versus 10945, a 1% lead for the desktop part. PassMark multithread is 31004 versus 30659, a 1.1% lead. Data compression is 310843 versus 307094, a 1.2% lead. The desktop chip wins 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench multi-core?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests. It leads by 21.4% in R15, 1% in R20, and 12.4% in R23.

Q: Does the Arc G3 EXTREME win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME wins PassMark integer math, data encryption, physics, and random string sorting.

Q: How close are the two in average benchmark score?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225F averages 37313 versus 36699 for the Arc G3 EXTREME. Both are in the 85th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which one has more cores and threads?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads. The 225F has 10 cores and 10 threads.

Q: Which CPU supports faster memory bandwidth?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME supports LPDDR5X at 136.5 GB/s, while the 225F supports DDR5 at 102.4 GB/s.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The 225F leads in every single-core test, with the largest margin at 7.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core and the smallest at 1% in Cinebench R20 single-core.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 225F is the pick for rendering and content creation workloads. Cinebench R15 multi-core and R23 multi-core are its strongest multi-thread results, with leads of 21.4% and 12.4% respectively. It also dominates prime number finding at 41.9% ahead, indicating strong integer-heavy single-thread execution. Extended instruction workloads favor it by 16.7%. For users running Cinebench, PassMark extended instruction suites, or single-thread applications, the desktop part is clearly ahead.

The Arc G3 EXTREME wins in encryption, integer math, physics, and random string sorting. Its 6.7% lead in integer math suggests its 14-core layout handles wide integer workloads better than the 10-core desktop chip. The 5.2% encryption win and 3.4% physics win are notable for workloads like compression-adjacent security tasks or simulation code. The random string sorting tie at 0% delta indicates parity in that specific sorting task.

For general multithreaded use, the two are close. PassMark multithread is only 1.1% apart, Cinebench R20 multi-core is 1% apart, and data compression is 1.2% apart. The Arc G3 EXTREME, despite its lower base clock and mobile socket, stays within striking distance in these mixed workloads. The desktop chip wins more tests, but the mobile chip is not uncompetitive in most multi-thread scenarios.

Specification Differences

The socket is the defining difference: Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 225F versus Intel BGA 2540 for the Arc G3 EXTREME. Core count differs at 10 versus 14, and thread count mirrors that at 10 versus 14. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz versus 1.90 GHz, boost clocks are 4.90 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. The TDP is 65 W for the desktop chip and 25 W for the mobile chip.

Memory support diverges: DDR5 for the 225F, LPDDR5X for the Arc G3 EXTREME. Memory bandwidth is higher on the mobile part, 136.5 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. PCIe lanes differ at 20 versus 4, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are absent on the 225F and present as Arc B390 on the Arc G3 EXTREME. L2 cache is 3 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core, L3 is 20 MB shared versus 18 MB shared.

The foundry differs: TSMC for the 225F, Intel for the Arc G3 EXTREME, despite both using a 3 nm node. The codename is Arrow Lake-S versus Panther Lake. The market segment is Desktop for the 225F and Mobile for the Arc G3 EXTREME. Release dates differ, with the 225F launching earlier. The launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 225F is $231; no launch MSRP is recorded for the Arc G3 EXTREME.