Intel Core 5 223PQE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE boosts to 5.50 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL tops out at 4.80 GHz. The Core 5 holds a 0.70 GHz advantage in maximum single-core frequency.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL features 16 cores and 22 threads, while the Intel Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 offers double the core count and six additional threads.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between these chips?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE has a TDP of 125 watts, whereas the Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL has a TDP of 45 watts. The Ultra 7 draws substantially less power under rated load conditions.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 223PQE supports ECC memory, but the Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL does not list ECC as a supported feature.

Q: Which processor uses a newer PCIe generation?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 has both a newer PCIe generation and double the lane count.

Q: What integrated graphics do the two processors carry?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL includes Arc Xe-LPG 128EU. The Ultra 7's Arc solution represents a different graphics architecture generation.

The Verdict

The data separates these two desktop processors clearly by workload profile. The Intel Core 5 223PQE is the choice for tasks that respond to high clock speeds and raw single-thread performance. Its boost clock of 5.50 GHz, combined with a base clock of 4.00 GHz, gives it a decisive frequency advantage over the Ultra 7. The Core 5 also brings PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, double the lane count of its rival, which matters for high-bandwidth expansion.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL takes the opposite approach. Its 16 cores and 22 threads give it a large multi-threading advantage on paper, and its 45 watt TDP makes it far more power-efficient in rated consumption. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG 128EU graphics is a more capable iGPU solution than UHD Graphics 770. The Ultra 7 also launched with a higher MSRP, reflecting its more complex silicon.

The recorded data shows no benchmark scores, wins, or nearest rival deltas for either chip, so performance conclusions must rely on architectural specifications alone. The Core 5 223PQE suits users who prioritize clock speed, ECC memory support, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. The Core Ultra 7 155HL suits users who need more cores, more threads, lower power draw, and stronger integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for these two processors, and neither chip has recorded benchmark scores, wins, or nearest rival comparisons. The comparison therefore rests entirely on the specification sheets.

The most significant differentiator is clock speed. The Core 5 223PQE operates with a 4.00 GHz base clock and a 5.50 GHz boost clock. The Core Ultra 7 155HL runs at a 1.40 GHz base clock and a 4.80 GHz boost clock. The Core 5 leads by 2.60 GHz at base frequency and 0.70 GHz at boost frequency. For single-threaded workloads that scale with frequency, the Core 5 holds a clear theoretical advantage.

Core and thread counts favor the Ultra 7 heavily. The Ultra 7 doubles the core count at 16 versus 8, and offers 22 threads against 16. Multi-threaded workloads that scale well across cores would see a substantial theoretical uplift from the Ultra 7, though the lower clock speeds may temper that advantage in latency-sensitive tasks.

Memory bandwidth is identical. Both processors support dual-channel memory with a listed bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core 5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 supports DDR5 with a note that memory depends on the motherboard. ECC memory is available on the Core 5 but not on the Ultra 7.

PCIe connectivity differs by a full generation. The Core 5 provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Core 5 double the lane count and a newer standard, which matters for storage arrays and high-end graphics.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category.

Cores and threads: The Core Ultra 7 155HL has 16 cores and 22 threads. The Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 leads by 8 cores and 6 threads.

Clock speeds: The Core 5 223PQE runs at 4.00 GHz base and 5.50 GHz boost. The Core Ultra 7 155HL runs at 1.40 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The Core 5 leads by 2.60 GHz base and 0.70 GHz boost.

TDP: The Core 5 223PQE is rated at 125 watts. The Core Ultra 7 155HL is rated at 45 watts. The Ultra 7 consumes 80 watts less under rated conditions.

Socket: The Core 5 223PQE uses Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 7 155HL uses Intel Socket 1851. The sockets are not interchangeable.

Process node: The Core 5 223PQE is built on a 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 7 155HL is built on a 7 nm process. The Ultra 7 uses the smaller node.

Cache: The Core 5 223PQE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 7 155HL has 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 has 32 KB more L1 per core; L2 and L3 are equal.

Memory support: The Core 5 223PQE supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 7 155HL supports DDR5 with motherboard-dependent configuration. Both use dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC is supported on the Core 5 only.

PCIe: The Core 5 223PQE has PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core Ultra 7 155HL has PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics: The Core 5 223PQE has UHD Graphics 770. The Core Ultra 7 155HL has Arc Xe-LPG 128EU.

Release date: The Core 5 223PQE released in March 2026. The Core Ultra 7 155HL released in April 2024. The Ultra 7 is older by roughly two years.

Launch MSRP: The Core 5 223PQE has a launch MSRP of $319. The Core Ultra 7 155HL has a launch MSRP of $438.

Multiplier: Both processors ship with locked multipliers.

Architecture Differences

The architecture gap between these two chips is substantial. The Intel Core 5 223PQE is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, codenamed Bartlett Lake, and belongs to the Core 5 generation. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS codename, and belongs to the Ultra 7 (Meteor Lake-PS) generation.

Process technology separates them at the foundry level. The Core 5 223PQE uses a 10 nm node, while the Core Ultra 7 155HL uses a 7 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the smaller 7 nm node on the Ultra 7 allows for denser transistor packing, which helps explain its higher core count within a much lower 45 watt TDP envelope.

The cache hierarchy shows a key architectural difference. The Core Ultra 7 155HL allocates 112 KB of L1 per core, versus 80 KB per core on the Core 5 223PQE. L2 per core is identical at 2 MB, and shared L3 is identical at 24 MB. The larger per-core L1 on the Ultra 7 suggests a different core design with a larger primary cache structure.

The integrated graphics represent two different GPU architectures. The Core 5 223PQE ships with UHD Graphics 770, a traditional Intel graphics solution. The Core Ultra 7 155HL ships with Arc Xe-LPG 128EU, which is part of Intel's Arc graphics family and represents a newer GPU design with a different execution unit arrangement.

The memory controller also differs. The Core 5 223PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, giving it flexibility with older platforms. The Core Ultra 7 155HL supports DDR5 only, with a note that memory depends on the motherboard. ECC memory is present on the Core 5 but absent on the Ultra 7.

The PCIe controller is another architectural split. The Core 5 223PQE implements PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 7 155HL implements PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). This is a full generation gap in interconnect technology, plus a doubling of available lanes.

The platform sockets differ entirely. The Core 5 223PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 7 155HL uses Intel Socket 1851. This means the two processors cannot be swapped into the same motherboard, and their surrounding platform features are tied to their respective socket ecosystems.

The production status for both processors is listed as Active, meaning both remain in current production. The Core Ultra 7 155HL is the older product with an April 2024 release, while the Core 5 223PQE is a newer arrival with a March 2026 release. Both are desktop market segments with locked multipliers, and both have part numbers on file: SA4QC for the Core 5 and SRN2Z for the Ultra 7.