Intel Core 5 223PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

The Intel Core 5 223PE and Intel Core Ultra 5 225 are two desktop processors that take fundamentally different approaches to delivering performance. The 223PE leans on a high core count and very high boost clocks, while the 225 uses a smaller number of faster-clocked physical cores on a more advanced manufacturing process. The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the 223PE dominates in multi-threaded and integer-heavy workloads, while the 225 counters in single-threaded tests, encryption, and floating-point math.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 223PE wins 10 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, establishing a clear advantage in productivity and general processing. Its victories span Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests, along with PassMark multithread, physics, integer math, and data compression. The most dramatic win comes in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the 223PE delivers a score of 11111 against the 225's 6317, a 75.9% advantage. This pattern suggests the 223PE is better suited for heavily parallel workloads such as video rendering, 3D scene creation, and scientific simulations that scale with thread count.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins 7 benchmarks, focusing on efficiency in specific tasks. It leads in PassMark single-thread (4412 vs 4219), data encryption (22285 vs 18448), extended instructions (27162 vs 24672), find prime numbers (358 vs 159), floating-point math (92038 vs 76468), and random string sorting (36590 vs 35798). The 225's edge in encryption and floating-point math indicates that its architectural design, despite fewer threads, handles certain instruction patterns more efficiently. The find prime numbers result, a 55.6% gap, highlights a particularly strong area for the 225.

The use-case split is therefore straightforward. Workloads that use many threads, integer arithmetic, or physics simulation favor the 223PE. Workloads that are single-threaded, encryption-heavy, or require extensive floating-point calculations favor the 225.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on distinct platforms. The Intel Core 5 223PE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 uses the Arrow Lake architecture (codenamed Arrow Lake-S) on a 3 nm process from TSMC. This process difference is significant because the 3 nm node allows the 225 to pack 17,800 million transistors into a 243 mm² die, whereas the 223PE has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database.

Core configuration differs substantially. The 223PE has 8 cores and 16 threads, meaning it supports simultaneous multithreading. The 225 has 10 cores but only 10 threads, indicating no multithreading support. Despite having fewer physical cores, the 223PE's hyperthreading gives it 6 more logical threads than the 225, which explains its multi-core benchmark dominance.

Cache layouts also diverge. The 223PE provides 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3. The 225 provides 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, but only 20 MB of shared L3. The 225's larger per-core cache is offset by a smaller total L3 pool, which affects how each processor handles data reuse in different workloads.

Clock speeds tell another part of the story. The 223PE has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The 225 has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The 223PE's higher maximum boost likely contributes to its single-thread Cinebench wins, while the 225's higher base clock helps in sustained workloads that do not reach boost frequencies.

Memory support and platform features differ as well. The 223PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the 225 supports only DDR5 with a higher bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The 223PE includes ECC memory support, while the 225 does not. The 225 offers more PCIe lanes, 20 versus 16, both Gen 5. The integrated graphics also change: the 223PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the 225 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a consistent pattern of 223PE victories, though the margins vary wildly. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 223PE scores 2666 against 2609, a 2.2% lead. The same 2.2% margin appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. However, Cinebench R20 tells a different story. The R20 multi-core test shows the 223PE at 11111 versus 6317, a 75.9% gap. The R20 single-core result shows 1568 versus 891, a 76% gap. This inconsistency between Cinebench versions is notable and suggests that the R20 test is particularly sensitive to the 223PE's thread count and boost behavior.

PassMark results reveal the 225's strengths. In data encryption, the 225 scores 22285 against 18448, a 17.2% advantage. In extended instructions, it leads 27162 to 24672, a 9.2% gain. The find prime numbers test shows the largest single margin in the 225's favor: 358 versus 159, a 55.6% difference. Floating-point math also favors the 225, with 92038 versus 76468, a 16.9% lead.

The 223PE counters in PassMark integer math with a commanding 99819 versus 65345, a 52.8% advantage. It also wins PassMark multithread (31124 vs 30459, 2.2%), physics (2493 vs 2342, 6.4%), and data compression (346623 vs 302811, 14.5%). The 225 edges out a narrow win in random string sorting, 36590 versus 35798, a 2.2% margin. The PassMark single-thread test favors the 225 at 4412 versus 4219, a 4.4% lead.

The average benchmark scores place the 223PE at 40585 against the 225's 36938. The 223PE also holds a higher percentile ranking at 87 versus 85 for the 225. The nearest rivals for the 223PE include the Intel Core 7 253PE at 40557 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Xeon 6357P at 40630 (0.1% ahead). The 225's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F at 36945 (0% difference) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D at 37018 (0.2% ahead).

The Verdict

The data positions the Intel Core 5 223PE as the stronger overall processor, with an average benchmark score of 40585 versus 36938 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225. The 223PE wins more benchmarks, holds a higher percentile rank, and delivers massive leads in Cinebench R20 and PassMark integer math. Its 16 threads and 5.20 GHz boost clock give it a clear edge in multi-threaded rendering, compression, and physics workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is not without merit. Its single-thread PassMark score of 4412 exceeds the 223PE's 4219, and it leads in encryption, floating-point math, and extended instructions. The 225's 3 nm process and higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s make it a more modern platform, but the benchmark data shows that these advantages do not translate into overall superiority. The 225 also supports only DDR5 memory, while the 223PE retains DDR4 compatibility, which may matter for system builders with existing memory.

The choice depends on workload. The 223PE is the pick for multi-threaded productivity, integer-heavy calculations, and applications that benefit from hyperthreading. The 225 is the pick for single-threaded tasks, encryption, and floating-point math, where its architecture demonstrates measurable efficiency gains.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores but only 10 threads, so the 223PE has more logical threads despite fewer physical cores.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the benchmark data?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Intel Core 5 223PE scores 11111 versus the Intel Core Ultra 5 225's 6317, a 75.9% difference. The R20 single-core test shows a similar 76% gap.

Q: In which benchmarks does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 win?

A: The 225 wins in PassMark data encryption (22285 vs 18448), extended instructions (27162 vs 24672), find prime numbers (358 vs 159), floating-point math (92038 vs 76468), random string sorting (36590 vs 35798), and single-thread (4412 vs 4219).

Q: How do the cache sizes compare between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, with 20 MB of shared L3.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 supports only DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has an average benchmark score of 40585. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has an average benchmark score of 36938.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 223PE | Intel Core Ultra 5 225 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 10 |

| Base clock | 2.90 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die size | Not recorded | 243 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 24 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU |

| Release date | 2026-03-08 | 2025-01-06 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $246 |

| Part number | SA4QF | SRQCZSRVF7 |