Intel Core 5 223PE vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX Comparison

The Intel Core 5 223PE and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX occupy different segments of the desktop and mobile markets, respectively. The Core 5 223PE is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2114. The benchmark data shows a clear division of labor: the desktop chip wins in specific single-core Cinebench tests, while the mobile chip dominates nearly every other metric. The Core Ultra 9 285HX holds a 95th percentile ranking among all CPUs, compared to the 87th percentile for the Core 5 223PE. The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 9 285HX is 76155, while the Core 5 223PE averages 40585.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are heavily lopsided. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX wins 15 of the 17 recorded benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 223PE wins only 2. The largest margin of victory for the Core Ultra 9 285HX comes in the PassMark data encryption test, where it scores 48567 against 18448, a delta of -62% relative to the Core 5 223PE. The Core Ultra 9 285HX also shows a significant lead in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 460 versus 159, a delta of -65.4%. In floating point math, the Core Ultra 9 285HX scores 194998 against 76468, a -60.8% difference. These three tests highlight the Core Ultra 9 285HX's advantage in computationally intensive workloads.

The Cinebench multi-core results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 9 285HX scores 5656.5 versus 2666, a delta of -52.9%. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 20236 versus 11111, a -45.1% difference. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows a smaller but still substantial gap, with the Core Ultra 9 285HX scoring 36429.5 against 26455, a -27.4% delta. The PassMark multithread test also favors the Core Ultra 9 285HX, with a score of 56902 versus 31124, a -45.3% difference. The data confirms that the Core Ultra 9 285HX is the stronger multi-threaded part across all recorded workloads.

The Core 5 223PE does have two clear wins, both in Cinebench single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 376 versus 323.5, a delta of 16.2% in its favor. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin is much larger: it scores 3734 versus 2187.5, a delta of 70.7%. However, these wins do not translate to the PassMark single-thread test, where the Core Ultra 9 285HX scores 4618 versus 4219, a -8.6% delta. The discrepancy suggests the two processors have different performance characteristics depending on the benchmark's specific instruction mix.

Other PassMark tests show consistent Core Ultra 9 285HX wins. In data compression, it scores 631885 versus 346623, a -45.1% delta. Extended instructions show a score of 49148 versus 24672, a -49.8% delta. Random string sorting yields 77196 versus 35798, a -53.6% delta. Integer math shows 155076 versus 99819, a -35.6% delta. Physics results are closer, with 3476 versus 2493, a -28.3% delta. The Cinebench R20 single-core test also goes to the Core Ultra 9 285HX, with 2856 versus 1568, a -45.1% delta. Only the two Cinebench single-core tests (R15 and R23) favor the Core 5 223PE.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 223PE wins exclusively in Cinebench R15 single-core and Cinebench R23 single-core. These are the only two tests in the database where it outperforms the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The R23 single-core margin is particularly large at 70.7%, which indicates a strong performance in that specific workload. The R15 single-core win is more modest at 16.2%. For users running software that relies on the specific characteristics measured by these Cinebench single-core tests, the Core 5 223PE may deliver higher frame rates or faster response times. However, the PassMark single-thread test contradicts this trend, showing the Core Ultra 9 285HX ahead by 8.6%, so the single-core advantage is not universal across all single-threaded workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX wins in every other recorded benchmark, including all multi-core tests and most single-thread tests. Its largest advantages come in encryption, prime number finding, and floating point math, where it leads by margins between 60% and 65%. The data compression and extended instruction tests also show roughly 45% to 50% leads. The multithread test shows a 45.3% lead, and the Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 45.1% lead. The physics test shows a smaller 28.3% lead, and the Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 27.4% lead. The Core Ultra 9 285HX also wins the PassMark single-thread test by 8.6%, meaning it is generally faster in single-threaded PassMark workloads despite losing the two Cinebench single-core tests. The overall pattern indicates the Core Ultra 9 285HX is the better processor for almost all applications, with the exception of specific Cinebench single-core scenarios.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX as the superior processor for nearly all use cases. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, holds a higher percentile ranking (95th versus 87th), and has a significantly higher average benchmark score (76155 versus 40585). The Core Ultra 9 285HX's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX, which scores 76212, a delta of -0.1% relative to the Core Ultra 9 285HX. This means the Core Ultra 9 285HX is effectively tied with that rival in average performance.

The Intel Core 5 223PE, by contrast, sits in a lower performance tier. Its nearest rival is the Intel Xeon 6357P, which scores 40630, a delta of -0.1% relative to the Core 5 223PE. The Core 5 223PE is also closely matched by the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H (40518, delta 0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G (40718, delta -0.3%). These rivals are all within 0.3% of the Core 5 223PE's average score of 40585, indicating that the Core 5 223PE competes in a crowded field of mid-range processors.

For users who prioritize multi-threaded performance, the Core Ultra 9 285HX is the clear choice. Its 24 cores and 24 threads give it a substantial advantage over the Core 5 223PE's 8 cores and 16 threads in all multi-core benchmarks. The Core Ultra 9 285HX also uses a newer 3 nm process from TSMC, compared to the 10 nm process for the Core 5 223PE, and has a larger cache hierarchy. The only scenario where the Core 5 223PE has a documented advantage is in Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests, where it wins by 16.2% and 70.7%, respectively. Users running those specific benchmarks may see better results with the Core 5 223PE, but the data does not show this advantage extending to other single-threaded tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX has an average benchmark score of 76155, while the Intel Core 5 223PE has an average score of 40585.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX has 24 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What is the winner count in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX wins 15 benchmarks, while the Intel Core 5 223PE wins 2 benchmarks.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark data encryption test, where the Core Ultra 9 285HX leads by 62% with a score of 48567 versus 18448.

Q: In which tests does the Intel Core 5 223PE win?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE wins in Cinebench R15 single-core (376 versus 323.5) and Cinebench R23 single-core (3734 versus 2187.5).

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE uses a 10 nm process from Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 223PE and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Core 5 223PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-HX codename and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2. The process node differs significantly: the Core 5 223PE uses a 10 nm process from Intel, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX uses a 3 nm process from TSMC. The Core Ultra 9 285HX also has a defined transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while these fields are not recorded for the Core 5 223PE.

The cache hierarchy shows notable differences. The Core 5 223PE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9 285HX has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9 285HX also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core 5 223PE supports only DDR5. Both processors use a dual-channel memory bus, but the memory bandwidth differs: the Core 5 223PE has 89.6 GB/s, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX has 102.4 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 223PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The PCIe support also differs, with the Core 5 223PE offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 9 285HX offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 223PE has a locked multiplier, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX has an unlocked multiplier. The market segment for the Core 5 223PE is Desktop, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX is for Mobile. The Core 5 223PE has a part number of SA4QF, and the Core Ultra 9 285HX has a part number of SRVFJ.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several specification fields. The socket type is different: the Core 5 223PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX uses Intel BGA 2114. The base clock is 2.90 GHz for the Core 5 223PE and 2.80 GHz for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The boost clock is 5.20 GHz for the Core 5 223PE and 5.50 GHz for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The thermal design power (TDP) is 65 for the Core 5 223PE and 55 for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The release dates are also different: the Core 5 223PE was released on 2026-03-08, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX was released on 2025-01-12.

The memory support field is a clear differentiator. The Core 5 223PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX supports only DDR5. The memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 223PE and 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The PCIe lane count differs: the Core 5 223PE has 16 lanes, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX has 20 lanes. The integrated graphics models are distinct, with UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 5 223PE and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The multiplier is locked on the Core 5 223PE and unlocked on the Core Ultra 9 285HX. The production status is Active for both, and both are manufactured by Intel, though the foundry for the Core Ultra 9 285HX is TSMC. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 223PE is $232, while the Core Ultra 9 285HX has no recorded launch MSRP.