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

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into distinct roles. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME wins 14 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H takes 3. That alone suggests the G3 EXTREME is the broader performer, but the specific tests each wins reveal a more nuanced picture.

The Core Ultra 5 225H claims its victories in the Cinebench R15 suite, both multicore and singlecore, plus the Cinebench R23 singlecore test. These are short-duration render workloads that often respond well to high boost clocks. The 225H boosts to 4.90 GHz, which is 0.20 GHz higher than the G3 EXTREME's 4.70 GHz. The data shows the 225H leads by 8.6% in R15 multicore and 7.5% in R15 singlecore, then extends that singlecore advantage to 5.4% in R23 singlecore.

The Arc G3 EXTREME dominates everything else. Its wins include the newer Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore tests, all PassMark workloads, and the entire PassMark multithread suite. The margins are often substantial. PassMark physics shows a 34% lead, find prime numbers a 12.7% lead, and data encryption an 11.4% lead. These are workloads that stress sustained throughput, memory bandwidth, or specific instruction paths rather than raw clock speed.

The split suggests a short-burst advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H and a sustained-load advantage for the Arc G3 EXTREME. Users running brief single-threaded tasks may prefer the 225H, while those pushing longer multi-threaded or encryption-heavy workloads will see the G3 EXTREME pull ahead.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same core and thread count at 14 each, and both use a 3 nm process node. The similarities end there. The Arc G3 EXTREME uses the Panther Lake codename with Intel as the foundry, while the Core Ultra 5 225H uses Arrow Lake-H with TSMC as the foundry. This foundry difference matters because the two chips are built on different process implementations despite the same node label.

Cache layouts differ in the L2. The G3 EXTREME carries 2.5 MB per core, while the 225H has 3 MB per core. Both share 18 MB of L3 and use 192 KB L1 per core. The larger per-core L2 on the 225H may explain its singlecore burst performance, though the G3 EXTREME compensates elsewhere.

Memory support and bandwidth diverge significantly. The G3 EXTREME supports only LPDDR5X with a recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The 225H supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but its bandwidth is listed at 102.4 GB/s. That 34.1 GB/s difference in the G3 EXTREME's favor likely contributes to its PassMark wins in data compression, encryption, and random string sorting, all of which are memory-sensitive.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The G3 EXTREME provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes for the CPU, while the 225H provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes. The 225H has more expansion headroom for discrete devices, assuming the platform supports it.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The G3 EXTREME pairs with Arc B390 graphics, while the 225H uses Arc Graphics 130T. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the comparison here is limited to the CPU-focused data.

Sockets differ too. The G3 EXTREME uses Intel BGA 2540, while the 225H uses Intel BGA 2049. These are not interchangeable platforms. The release dates also separate the two: the 225H arrived in January 2025, while the G3 EXTREME is dated May 2026. The G3 EXTREME is the newer design by roughly 16 months.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are the most telling because they flip depending on the version. In R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 5 225H scores 2397.5 against the G3 EXTREME's 2192, a delta of negative 8.6% from the G3 EXTREME's perspective. In R15 singlecore, the 225H scores 288.5 against 267, a 7.5% lead. These are the 225H's clearest wins.

The G3 EXTREME reverses the trend in R20. It scores 10945 multicore against the 225H's 10041, a 9% advantage. In R20 singlecore, it scores 1545 against 1417, again a 9% lead. R23 multicore is nearly tied: 14655 for the G3 EXTREME versus 14629.5 for the 225H, a razor-thin 0.2% edge. R23 singlecore goes back to the 225H at 1969 versus 1862, a 5.4% margin.

The PassMark suite heavily favors the G3 EXTREME. Data compression shows 307094 versus 283451, an 8.3% lead. Encryption shows 23881 versus 21428, an 11.4% lead. Extended instructions: 24017 versus 21915, a 9.6% lead. Find prime numbers: 248 versus 220, a 12.7% lead. Floating point math is close at 86929 versus 86540, only 0.4% apart. Integer math: 71164 versus 68520, a 3.9% lead. Multithread: 30659 versus 28119, a 9% lead. Physics shows the largest gap at 2515 versus 1877, a 34% advantage. Random string sorting: 37331 versus 33654, a 10.9% lead. Single thread: 4293 versus 4258, a 0.8% edge.

The physics result deserves attention. A 34% gap in PassMark physics is substantial and suggests the G3 EXTREME handles the physics simulation workload with significantly more efficiency. The database shows the G3 EXTREME's average benchmark score at 36699 against the 225H's 31508, a difference of 5189 points.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Why does the Core Ultra 5 225H win Cinebench R15 but lose R20?

A: The R15 tests favor the 225H's higher boost clock and larger per-core L2 cache. The R20 tests favor the G3 EXTREME's higher memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s, which helps sustained render workloads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in PassMark physics?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME scores 2515 against the 225H's 1877, a 34% advantage, the largest single margin in the head-to-head data.

Q: Do both processors have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 14 cores and 14 threads, with 192 KB L1 per core and 18 MB shared L3. The L2 differs at 2.5 MB per core for the G3 EXTREME and 3 MB per core for the 225H.

Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225H supports Gen 5 with 8 lanes for the CPU, while the Arc G3 EXTREME supports Gen 5 with 4 lanes.

Q: Are the integrated graphics different?

A: Yes, the G3 EXTREME uses Arc B390 graphics, while the 225H uses Arc Graphics 130T. The database does not provide graphics benchmarks for either.

Specification Differences

• Codename: Panther Lake (G3 EXTREME) versus Arrow Lake-H (225H)
• Foundry: Intel (G3 EXTREME) versus TSMC (225H)
• Base clock: 1.90 GHz (G3 EXTREME) versus 1.70 GHz (225H)
• Boost clock: 4.70 GHz (G3 EXTREME) versus 4.90 GHz (225H)
• TDP: 25 W (G3 EXTREME) versus 28 W (225H)
• Socket: Intel BGA 2540 (G3 EXTREME) versus Intel BGA 2049 (225H)
• L2 cache: 2.5 MB per core (G3 EXTREME) versus 3 MB per core (225H)
• Memory support: LPDDR5X only (G3 EXTREME) versus DDR5 and LPDDR5X (225H)
• Memory bandwidth: 136.5 GB/s (G3 EXTREME) versus 102.4 GB/s (225H)
• PCIe: Gen 5, 4 lanes (G3 EXTREME) versus Gen 5, 8 lanes (225H)
• Integrated graphics: Arc B390 (G3 EXTREME) versus Arc Graphics 130T (225H)
• Release date: May 2026 (G3 EXTREME) versus January 2025 (225H)
• Part number: SA4R3 (G3 EXTREME) versus SRQAM (225H)
• Average benchmark score: 36699 (G3 EXTREME) versus 31508 (225H)
• Percentile vs all CPUs: 85th (G3 EXTREME) versus 82nd (225H)

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME as the stronger overall processor. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, holds a 5189-point lead in average benchmark score, and sits in the 85th percentile versus the 225H's 82nd. Its 34% lead in PassMark physics and 12.7% lead in prime number calculation show particular strength in compute-heavy tasks. The higher memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s appears to drive many of these wins.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H has a defined role. Its higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz and larger per-core L2 of 3 MB give it an edge in short single-threaded bursts, as seen in Cinebench R15 and R23 singlecore. It also offers more PCIe lanes at 8 versus 4, which matters for platforms needing additional connectivity. Users prioritizing those specific traits may prefer the 225H.

The G3 EXTREME's higher average score, newer release date, and broader benchmark dominance make it the default choice for sustained workloads. The 225H remains relevant for single-thread burst scenarios and platforms requiring more PCIe lanes, but the data does not support it as the overall winner in this comparison.