Intel Core 5 223PQE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for this comparison is one-sided. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus recorded scores across all major rendering, synthetic, and math workloads, while the Intel Core 5 223PQE has no recorded benchmark entries in the database. This means the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus holds every measurable win by default, and the analysis below interprets its absolute scores and its position against its nearest rivals.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 4640 points. For reference, its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 4465P, sits at an average score of 66925 with a delta of -0.1%, meaning the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is essentially tied with that EPYC part in the overall average benchmark score. The single-core Cinebench R15 result is 328 points. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core score jumps to 18442, and the single-core score reaches 2603. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core result is 30867, with a single-core score of 2261. These rendering scores indicate strong multi-threaded throughput, which aligns with the processor's 18 cores and 18 threads.

PassMark tests provide a broader view. The data compression score is 568721, while data encryption records 42144. Extended instructions hit 44565, and the find prime numbers test scores 486. Floating point math delivers 162692, integer math scores 125091, and the multithread test reaches 51596. Physics processing scores 3494. Random string sorting produces 69090, and the single-thread PassMark score is 4757, listed twice in the database under slightly different test names.

The overall average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is 66855, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals show how tight the competition is at this level. The AMD EPYC 4465P averages 66925, which is 0.1% higher. The Intel Xeon 6515P averages 67006, 0.2% higher. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX averages 67469, 0.9% higher. On the other side, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus averages 66159, which is 1.1% lower than the 250K Plus. This places the 250K Plus in a narrow band where it trails three rivals by less than one percent and leads one rival by just over one percent.

Since the Core 5 223PQE has zero recorded benchmarks, the database cannot produce a head-to-head win count. The win tally is 0 for the 223PQE and 0 for the 250K Plus, because no shared test results exist. The practical implication is that any performance comparison relies entirely on the 250K Plus's measured scores and the architectural data in the specification fields.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, but only because it is the sole processor with recorded measurements. The Core 5 223PQE has no benchmark entries, so no direct performance comparison is possible from the database. What the specifications do show is a significant architectural gap.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses a 3 nm process from TSMC, while the Core 5 223PQE uses Intel's 10 nm process. The 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads, compared to 8 cores and 16 threads on the 223PQE. The 250K Plus also carries 30 MB of shared L3 cache versus 24 MB on the 223PQE, and its L2 cache is 3 MB per core against 2 MB per core. The 250K Plus supports only DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the 223PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

The 250K Plus has a higher base clock at 4.20 GHz, but the 223PQE has a higher boost clock at 5.50 GHz versus 5.30 GHz. Both have a 125 W TDP. The 250K Plus uses the Intel Socket 1851, while the 223PQE uses Socket 1700. The 250K Plus is unlocked for overclocking; the 223PQE is not. The 250K Plus has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, the 223PQE has 16. The integrated graphics differ: Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the 250K Plus versus UHD Graphics 770 on the 223PQE.

For a user selecting strictly from the data, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the only option with proven benchmark performance. Its 93rd percentile ranking and near-tie with the AMD EPYC 4465P and Intel Xeon 6515P indicate it operates in a high-performance tier. The Core 5 223PQE, with no scores, cannot be recommended for any performance-dependent task based on the database. The 250K Plus also has a lower launch MSRP of $199, while the 223PQE has a launch MSRP of $319. However, the performance gap is the deciding factor, not the price difference.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core benchmark score in the recorded data?

A: Only the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has recorded scores. Its highest single-core result is 4757 in the PassMark single-thread test, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 2261.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus compare to its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 4465P?

A: The AMD EPYC 4465P has an average benchmark score of 66925, which is 0.1% higher than the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus's average of 66855. The two are effectively tied in overall performance.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 223PQE support DDR4 memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 223PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel bus. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports only DDR5.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is built on a 3 nm process by TSMC, while the Intel Core 5 223PQE uses a 10 nm process by Intel.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core 5 223PQE has 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Are both processors in active production?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 223PQE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus are listed as Active in production status.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification field. The Intel Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. Base clocks are 4.00 GHz for the 223PQE and 4.20 GHz for the 250K Plus. Boost clocks are 5.50 GHz for the 223PQE and 5.30 GHz for the 250K Plus. Both have a TDP of 125 W.

The socket differs: the 223PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the 250K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851. The 223PQE has a 10 nm process from Intel, while the 250K Plus has a 3 nm process from TSMC. The 250K Plus has 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die; the 223PQE has no transistor or die size data recorded.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. The 223PQE has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The 250K Plus has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. Memory support: the 223PQE accepts DDR4 and DDR5, while the 250K Plus accepts only DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for the 223PQE and 115.2 GB/s for the 250K Plus. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe lanes: the 223PQE has 16 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), and the 250K Plus has 20 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 on the 223PQE versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the 250K Plus. The 250K Plus has an unlocked multiplier; the 223PQE does not. Release dates are two days apart: the 223PQE on March 8, 2026, and the 250K Plus on March 10, 2026. The launch MSRP is $319 for the 223PQE and $199 for the 250K Plus.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, with the codename Arrow Lake Refresh and generation listed as Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake). The Intel Core 5 223PQE has the codename Bartlett Lake and generation Core 5 (Bartlett Lake). The 250K Plus is fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm node, while the 223PQE is fabricated by Intel on a 10 nm node. The 250K Plus has a recorded transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², neither of which is recorded for the 223PQE.

Core counts reflect different design philosophies. The 250K Plus uses 18 cores with 18 threads, indicating a design without hyper-threading, while the 223PQE uses 8 cores with 16 threads, indicating hyper-threading is present. The 250K Plus has larger per-core caches, with 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2, versus 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 on the 223PQE. Shared L3 is 30 MB on the 250K Plus and 24 MB on the 223PQE.

The 250K Plus integrates Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, while the 223PQE integrates UHD Graphics 770. Both support ECC memory, but the 250K Plus is limited to DDR5, whereas the 223PQE also supports DDR4. The 250K Plus has a newer socket (1851) and more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16), both Gen 5. The 250K Plus is unlocked for overclocking, a feature absent on the 223PQE.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins every benchmark category because it is the only processor with scores. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30867 and PassMark multithread score of 51596 indicate strong performance for heavily threaded workloads like rendering, simulation, and encoding. Its single-thread PassMark score of 4757 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2261 also show competent single-thread performance for everyday tasks and lightly threaded applications.

The 250K Plus's 93rd percentile ranking means it outperforms the vast majority of CPUs in the database. Its average score of 66855 places it within 0.2% of the Intel Xeon 6515P and within 0.1% of the AMD EPYC 4465P, making it a viable choice for server-like workloads despite being a desktop part. The unlocked multiplier allows further tuning, and the 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes support high-bandwidth expansion.

The Intel Core 5 223PQE has no benchmark wins because no benchmark data exists. However, its specifications suggest potential strengths in different areas. The higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz could theoretically benefit single-thread bursts, but no measurements confirm this. Its support for DDR4 memory provides compatibility with existing platforms, which is a practical advantage for users with older memory. The 16 threads on 8 cores with hyper-threading might handle mixed workloads, but again, no data supports this.

The 250K Plus also wins on efficiency indicators: the 3 nm TSMC process suggests lower power draw per transistor compared to the 10 nm Intel process, though both have identical 125 W TDP ratings. The 250K Plus's larger L3 cache (30 MB versus 24 MB) and higher memory bandwidth (115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s) favor data-intensive applications. The 223PQE's only recorded advantages are the higher boost clock and broader memory compatibility, neither of which has benchmark verification. The database verdict is unambiguous: the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the only processor with demonstrated performance, and it sits in the top 7% of all CPUs.