Intel Core 5 223PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL Comparison

Intel Core 5 223PE and Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL are both active desktop processors from Intel, but they target different segments. The 223PE is a Bartlett Lake part on Socket 1700 with higher clock speeds and a larger L3 cache. The 125UL is a Meteor Lake-PS part on Socket 1851 with more physical cores, a smaller L3 cache, and a much lower TDP. The database records complete benchmark results for the 223PE, while the 125UL has no recorded benchmark scores. This analysis relies on the recorded data, architectural differences, and specification comparisons.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE boosts to 5.20 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL boosts to 4.30 GHz. The 223PE holds a 0.90 GHz advantage in maximum frequency.

Q: How do the core counts compare between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. The Intel Core 5 223PE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The 125UL has more physical cores, but the 223PE has more threads due to hyper-threading across all cores.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has a TDP of 65 watts. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has a TDP of 15 watts. The 125UL consumes significantly less power by specification.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL does not support ECC memory.

Q: What integrated graphics does each processor use?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE uses UHD Graphics 730. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL uses Arc Xe-LPG 64EU.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has an average benchmark score of 40585. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has an average benchmark score of 0, as no benchmark results are recorded for it in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families. The Intel Core 5 223PE is based on the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 5 generation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL is based on the Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 1 generation. The manufacturing process differs: the 223PE is built on a 10 nm node, while the 125UL is built on a 7 nm node. Both are fabricated by Intel.

The core and thread arrangement is a major architectural distinction. The 223PE has 8 cores and 16 threads, meaning all cores support two threads. The 125UL has 12 cores and 14 threads, which indicates a hybrid configuration where not all cores contribute equally to thread count. The 125UL has 4 more physical cores but 2 fewer threads. The 223PE compensates with higher clock speeds: a base clock of 2.90 GHz versus 1.30 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 4.30 GHz.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The 223PE provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The 125UL provides 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The 223PE has double the L3 cache, which can benefit workloads with larger working sets. The 125UL has a larger per-core L1 cache.

Memory support and platform connectivity also differ. The 223PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 125UL supports DDR5 with the capacity depending on the motherboard. Both use a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. The 223PE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the 125UL offers PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. The 223PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the 125UL uses Intel Socket 1851. ECC memory is supported on the 223PE but not on the 125UL.

The integrated graphics solutions are different. The 223PE uses UHD Graphics 730, a more basic integrated GPU. The 125UL uses Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, which is a more advanced graphics architecture. The production status for both is active. The 223PE was released later, with a release date of 2026-03-08, while the 125UL has a release date of 2024-04-07. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear separation in intended use. The Intel Core 5 223PE is positioned for performance-oriented desktop workloads. It carries a 65 W TDP, a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Its average benchmark score of 40585 places it at the 87th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals are closely matched: the Intel Core 7 253PE has an average score of 40557, a 0.1% delta, and the Intel Xeon 6357P has an average score of 40630, a -0.1% delta. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 40718, a -0.3% delta, and the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H scores 40518, a 0.2% delta. These results indicate the 223PE sits within a tight performance band, effectively equal to its immediate competitors.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has no recorded benchmark scores and an average benchmark score of 0. Its percentile rank is 50, which is the midpoint of the database distribution, but this figure is based on no measured data. The 125UL offers 12 cores and 14 threads with a 15 W TDP, which points toward efficiency-focused operation rather than raw throughput. The higher core count suggests it can handle parallel workloads, but the lower clocks, 1.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost, and the halved L3 cache of 12 MB limit its peak performance potential compared to the 223PE.

For users who prioritize single-thread performance, high boost clocks, and larger cache, the data supports the Intel Core 5 223PE. Its 5.20 GHz boost clock and 24 MB L3 cache are the strongest indicators of responsiveness in bursty workloads. The benchmark results confirm this: the 223PE scores 3734 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 4219 in Passmark single-thread. For users who require more physical cores, lower power consumption, and a more capable integrated GPU, the Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL is the only choice based on specifications. Its 12 cores and Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics provide capabilities the 223PE does not offer. However, without recorded benchmarks, the 125UL cannot be quantitatively compared in actual performance.

Specification Differences

The specification table highlights the key differences between the two processors.

• Cores: 8 (223PE) versus 12 (125UL)
• Threads: 16 (223PE) versus 14 (125UL)
• Base clock: 2.90 GHz (223PE) versus 1.30 GHz (125UL)
• Boost clock: 5.20 GHz (223PE) versus 4.30 GHz (125UL)
• TDP: 65 W (223PE) versus 15 W (125UL)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 (223PE) versus Intel Socket 1851 (125UL)
• Codename: Bartlett Lake (223PE) versus Meteor Lake-PS (125UL)
• Generation: Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) (223PE) versus Ultra 5 (Meteor Lake-PS) (125UL)
• Process node: 10 nm (223PE) versus 7 nm (125UL)
• L1 cache: 80 KB per core (223PE) versus 112 KB per core (125UL)
• L3 cache: 24 MB shared (223PE) versus 12 MB shared (125UL)
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 (223PE) versus DDR5 (125UL)
• ECC memory: supported (223PE) versus not supported (125UL)
• PCIe: Gen 5, 16 lanes (223PE) versus Gen 4, 8 lanes (125UL)
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 (223PE) versus Arc Xe-LPG 64EU (125UL)
• Release date: 2026-03-08 (223PE) versus 2024-04-07 (125UL)
• Launch MSRP: $232 (223PE) versus $309 (125UL)
• Part number: SA4QF (223PE) versus SRN96 (125UL)

Shared specifications include dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, 2 MB L2 cache per core, Intel as the foundry, desktop market segment, active production status, and a locked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark table is empty, and the wins counters are zero for both processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has no benchmark results recorded in the database. Therefore, the quantitative comparison relies entirely on the Intel Core 5 223PE's recorded scores and its position relative to rival processors.

The 223PE demonstrates strong multi-core performance. It scores 2666 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 11111 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 26455 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Passmark multi-thread score is 31124, and the Passmark integer math score is 99819. Floating point math reaches 76468. Data compression scores 346623, while data encryption scores 18448. Extended instructions score 24672, and random string sorting scores 35798. Find prime numbers scores 159, and physics scores 2493. These results place the 223PE at the 87th percentile among all CPUs.

Single-thread performance is equally strong. The 223PE scores 376 in Cinebench R15 single-core, 1568 in Cinebench R20 single-core, and 3734 in Cinebench R23 single-core. Passmark single-thread and singlethread scores are both 4219. The boost clock of 5.20 GHz is the likely contributor to these results.

The nearest rival data provides context for the 223PE's standing. The Intel Core 7 253PE has an average score of 40557, which is 0.1% below the 223PE's 40585. The Intel Xeon 6357P scores 40630, which is 0.1% above. The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H scores 40518, 0.2% below. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 40718, 0.3% above. All four rivals are within a 0.5% band, confirming that the 223PE delivers performance consistent with its peer group.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL cannot be assessed in the same way. Its average benchmark score is 0, and it has no nearest rivals listed. The database records no Cinebench or Passmark results for this processor. Its percentile rank of 50 is the default midpoint, not a measured outcome. The specification data suggests it is not designed for the same performance envelope. The 12-core count and 15 W TDP indicate a focus on power efficiency and parallel scaling, but the absence of measured scores prevents any definitive statement about its real-world speed.

In the absence of direct benchmark data, the only comparable metrics are architectural. The 223PE has a 0.90 GHz boost clock advantage over the 125UL. The 223PE also has double the L3 cache, 24 MB versus 12 MB. The 125UL counters with 4 additional physical cores and a larger L1 cache per core, 112 KB versus 80 KB. The 125UL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes, while the 223PE supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The 223PE supports ECC memory and DDR4, while the 125UL does not support ECC and only supports DDR5. The 125UL has a lower TDP of 15 W versus 65 W, and it uses a 7 nm process versus 10 nm.

The data confirms that the Intel Core 5 223PE is the higher-performance part according to recorded benchmarks. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL remains a specification-only entry in the database, with no measured performance to compare.