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

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts of the Intel Core 5 223PQE and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has 12 cores and 14 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE boosts up to 5.50 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL's maximum boost of 4.80 GHz.

Q: What process node is used for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE is built on a 10 nm process, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL is fabricated on a 7 nm process.

Q: Do these processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 223PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL uses Intel Socket 1851.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE has a TDP of 125 W, whereas the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Core 5 223PQE belongs to the Bartlett Lake codename family, part of the Core 5 generation, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL is built on the Meteor Lake architecture with the codename Meteor Lake-PS, belonging to the Core Ultra Series 1.

Process technology differs significantly. The Intel Core 5 223PQE uses a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL uses a 7 nm process node, both fabricated by Intel. This process difference influences power characteristics and transistor density, though the database does not list transistor counts or die sizes for either part.

Core composition also differs. The Intel Core 5 223PQE offers 8 cores and 16 threads, indicating symmetric multi-threading across all cores. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL provides 12 cores but only 14 threads, which suggests a heterogeneous core arrangement where not all cores contribute two threads, a design typical for hybrid architectures. The cache hierarchy reflects this divergence: the Intel Core 5 223PQE has 80 KB of L1 per core and 24 MB of shared L3, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has 112 KB of L1 per core and 12 MB of shared L3. Both share 2 MB of L2 per core.

The integrated graphics solutions are different. The Intel Core 5 223PQE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL uses Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. Both are desktop-class parts, and both are currently active in production.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The Intel Core 5 223PQE supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core 5 223PQE also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL.

Memory compatibility separates the two further. The Intel Core 5 223PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL supports DDR5 only, with the specific memory support depending on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses, and both achieve a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 223PQE delivers a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 4.80 GHz for the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL, which indicates a strong advantage in single-thread responsiveness and lightly threaded workloads. It also offers a larger shared L3 cache of 24 MB compared to 12 MB, which can benefit workloads with larger working sets. The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 lanes provides greater expansion bandwidth for high-throughput devices. The Intel Core 5 223PQE also supports DDR4 memory, offering flexibility for platforms that still rely on that standard, and its ECC support makes it suitable for reliability-sensitive environments.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL counters with a substantially lower TDP of 15 W compared to 125 W. This makes it the clear choice for power-constrained deployments, compact systems, or thermally limited chassis. It also has more physical cores at 12 versus 8, which can help in certain multi-threaded workloads if thread scheduling effectively uses all cores. Its 7 nm process node suggests a more modern fabrication approach relative to the 10 nm node of the Intel Core 5 223PQE. The Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics represent a different class of iGPU compared to the UHD Graphics 770, potentially offering different media or compute capabilities.

Specification Differences

The recorded data shows the following differences between the two processors:

| Specification | Intel Core 5 223PQE | Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL |

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base clock | 4.00 GHz | 1.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Meteor Lake-PS |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Ultra 7 (Meteor Lake-PS) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 24 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 (depends on motherboard) |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG 64EU |

| Release date | 2026-03-08 | 2024-04-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $319 | $426 |

There are no differences in memory bus (dual-channel for both), memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s for both), L2 cache (2 MB per core for both), foundry (Intel for both), and multiplier unlock status (both locked).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results for these two processors. Without recorded benchmark scores, the analysis must rely on the architectural and specification data available.

The most decisive specification gap appears in clock speeds. The Intel Core 5 223PQE has a base clock of 4.00 GHz, which is more than double the 1.70 GHz base clock of the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL. The boost clock difference is smaller but still substantial: 5.50 GHz versus 4.80 GHz, a 0.70 GHz advantage for the Intel Core 5 223PQE. In any benchmark that scales with clock frequency, the Intel Core 5 223PQE should deliver higher performance, particularly in single-threaded tasks.

The TDP gap is equally striking. The Intel Core 5 223PQE is rated at 125 W, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL is rated at 15 W, an eightfold difference. This means the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL operates in a completely different power envelope, which will cap its sustained performance under heavy loads. The high base and boost clocks of the Intel Core 5 223PQE are supported by its much higher power budget.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has more cores (12 versus 8) but fewer threads (14 versus 16). This unusual combination suggests that only some of its cores support simultaneous multi-threading. In workloads that scale with thread count, the Intel Core 5 223PQE may still match or exceed the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL because it has 16 threads versus 14, despite having fewer physical cores. However, in workloads that scale with physical core count and do not benefit from multi-threading, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL could have an edge.

L3 cache capacity favors the Intel Core 5 223PQE significantly. At 24 MB shared, it doubles the 12 MB shared L3 of the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL. The L1 cache per core favors the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL at 112 KB versus 80 KB, which may improve per-core performance in certain access patterns, but the larger L3 pool on the Intel Core 5 223PQE should help with larger datasets.

Memory bandwidth is identical at 89.6 GB/s for both, and both use dual-channel configurations. The Intel Core 5 223PQE's support for both DDR4 and DDR5 gives it broader platform compatibility, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL is limited to DDR5. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a distinguishing factor.

The both parts share the same percentile rank of 50 against all CPUs in the database, indicating they sit at the median of the recorded CPU distribution, though no average benchmark score is available for either. The release dates differ by nearly two years: the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL launched in April 2024, while the Intel Core 5 223PQE launched in March 2026. The launch MSRP of the Intel Core 5 223PQE is $319, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL launched at $426.

Given the recorded data, the Intel Core 5 223PQE appears positioned for high-throughput desktop workloads with its higher clocks, larger L3 cache, and greater power budget. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL appears positioned for efficiency-focused desktop systems with its 15 W TDP and 7 nm process. Without direct benchmark results, these conclusions derive entirely from the specification deltas.