Intel Core 5 223PQE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F is the only processor in this comparison with recorded benchmark data. The Intel Core 5 223PQE has no benchmark scores in the database, so the analysis relies entirely on the Core Ultra 5 225F's performance profile and the architectural specifications of both parts.

The Core Ultra 5 225F posts an average benchmark score of 37,313, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-13900HK, scores 37,425, a delta of -0.3%, meaning the Core Ultra 5 225F trails by a negligible margin. The AMD Ryzen 7 7735H, scoring 37,161, sits 0.4% behind the Core Ultra 5 225F. The Intel Core i7-13700 scores 37,135, a 0.5% deficit, and the AMD Ryzen 7 160 matches at 37,117, also 0.5% behind. These deltas indicate that the Core Ultra 5 225F performs within a tight band of established high-end mobile and desktop processors.

In Cinebench R23, the Core Ultra 5 225F records a multi-core score of 16,467 and a single-core score of 1,893. The multi-core result demonstrates strong parallel throughput for a 10-thread processor, while the single-core number reflects its 4.90 GHz boost capability. Cinebench R20 shows a multi-core score of 11,059 and a single-core score of 1,561. Cinebench R15 yields 2,660 multi-core and 287 single-core. These progressive scores across R15, R20, and R23 follow the expected scaling pattern for a modern desktop chip.

PassMark results for the Core Ultra 5 225F reveal specific strengths. The multithread score stands at 31,004, while the single-thread score is 4,397. Data compression reaches 310,843, a particularly high figure that indicates strong memory bandwidth utilization. Floating point math scores 92,554, while integer math hits 66,417. Extended instructions produce 28,027, and random string sorting finishes at 37,325. The physics test yields 2,430, and prime number finding scores 352. Data encryption completes at 22,648. These numbers show a balanced performer with notable advantages in compression and floating-point workloads.

The Core 5 223PQE has no benchmark entries, so direct head-to-head scores cannot be calculated. The database records zero wins for both processors in this matchup. The Core Ultra 5 225F's percentile ranking of 85 versus the Core 5 223PQE's 50th percentile positioning provides the only comparative performance signal. The 35-percentile gap strongly favors the Core Ultra 5 225F in overall CPU capability, though the Core 5 223PQE's higher clock speeds could narrow the gap in lightly threaded tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in architecture. The Intel Core 5 223PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation, built on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F uses the Arrow Lake-S codename, belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, and is fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The 3 nm node offers a significant transistor density advantage, with the Core Ultra 5 225F packing 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core 5 223PQE has no recorded transistor count or die size.

Core configuration differs markedly. The Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores and 16 threads, indicating hyperthreading support. The Core Ultra 5 225F has 10 cores but only 10 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The Core Ultra 5 225F's extra physical cores compensate for its thread-count disadvantage in multi-threaded workloads, while the Core 5 223PQE's 16 threads could help in heavily threaded applications that benefit from simultaneous multithreading.

Cache hierarchies diverge substantially. The Core 5 223PQE allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225F provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225F offers more per-core cache at every level, while the Core 5 223PQE counters with a larger total L3 pool.

Memory support separates the two clearly. The Core 5 223PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 225F supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but reaches 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The newer platform's exclusive DDR5 support delivers 12.8 GB/s more bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5 223PQE but not on the Core Ultra 5 225F.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 5 223PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 5 225F provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, a four-lane advantage for expansion and GPU connectivity. Integrated graphics are present on the Core 5 223PQE via UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 225F has no integrated GPU.

Clock speeds favor the Core 5 223PQE. Its base clock is 4.00 GHz with a boost of 5.50 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 225F operates at a 3.30 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. The Core 5 223PQE holds a 0.70 GHz base-clock advantage and a 0.60 GHz boost-clock advantage. Power consumption reflects this: the Core 5 223PQE has a 125 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 5 225F draws only 65 W.

Sockets differ completely. The Core 5 223PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses Intel Socket 1851. These are incompatible platforms requiring different motherboards. Release dates also differ: the Core Ultra 5 225F launched on January 6, 2025, while the Core 5 223PQE arrived on March 8, 2026. Both processors remain in active production and have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F as the stronger overall processor. Its 85th percentile ranking versus the Core 5 223PQE's 50th percentile indicates a substantial performance advantage in the database's aggregate metrics. The Core Ultra 5 225F delivers 10 physical cores, a 3 nm process with 17,800 million transistors, higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s, and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. Its benchmark scores confirm competitive performance against the Intel Core i9-13900HK, AMD Ryzen 7 7735H, Intel Core i7-13700, and AMD Ryzen 7 160, all within a 0.5% delta.

The Core 5 223PQE has no benchmark scores, so its actual performance cannot be verified from the database. Its advantages are architectural: 16 threads versus 10, a 5.50 GHz boost clock, 24 MB of shared L3 cache, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, ECC memory capability, and integrated graphics. These features make it a more flexible platform for users requiring legacy memory support or ECC validation.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, the Core Ultra 5 225F's 10 physical cores and 85th percentile ranking make it the safer choice based on measured data. For users needing integrated graphics, ECC memory, hyperthreading, or DDR4 compatibility, the Core 5 223PQE offers capabilities the Core Ultra 5 225F lacks. The 125 W TDP of the Core 5 223PQE versus 65 W for the Core Ultra 5 225F also indicates a notable efficiency advantage for the newer part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE boosts to 5.50 GHz, which is 0.60 GHz higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F's 4.90 GHz boost.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F support DDR4 memory?

A: No, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F supports only DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core 5 223PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F has 10 cores and 10 threads. The Intel Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F provides 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Intel Core 5 223PQE provides 89.6 GB/s, a difference of 12.8 GB/s.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Core 5 223PQE includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F uses a 3 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel Core 5 223PQE uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F wins in multi-core benchmark performance, confirmed by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16,467 and PassMark multithread score of 31,004. Its 10 physical cores and 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth drive strong results in data compression, where it scores 310,843, and floating-point math at 92,554. The 85th percentile ranking versus 50th for the Core 5 223PQE gives the Core Ultra 5 225F a decisive overall performance advantage. Its 65 W TDP also makes it a more power-efficient choice for sustained workloads.

The Intel Core 5 223PQE wins on clock speed, with a 5.50 GHz boost versus 4.90 GHz, and on thread count at 16 threads versus 10. Its 24 MB of shared L3 cache exceeds the Core Ultra 5 225F's 20 MB. The Core 5 223PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, allowing platform flexibility that the Core Ultra 5 225F cannot match. ECC memory support and integrated UHD Graphics 770 add capabilities absent from the Core Ultra 5 225F. The 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 20 is a minor deficit, but the Core 5 223PQE's socket 1700 compatibility may be more accessible for existing builds.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225F has 10 cores and 10 threads. Base clocks are 4.00 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.50 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. TDP ratings are 125 W versus 65 W. Sockets are Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel Socket 1851. Process nodes are 10 nm versus 3 nm, with foundries Intel versus TSMC. The Core Ultra 5 225F records 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die size, while the Core 5 223PQE has no such data.

Cache configurations differ: the Core 5 223PQE uses 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 225F uses 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. Memory support shows DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 5 223PQE versus DDR5-only for the Core Ultra 5 225F, with bandwidths of 89.6 GB/s and 102.4 GB/s respectively. ECC memory is supported only on the Core 5 223PQE. PCIe lanes are 16 Gen 5 for the Core 5 223PQE and 20 Gen 5 for the Core Ultra 5 225F. Integrated graphics exist only on the Core 5 223PQE via UHD Graphics 770. Release dates are March 8, 2026 for the Core 5 223PQE and January 6, 2025 for the Core Ultra 5 225F.