Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents a stark contrast between two Intel desktop processors. The Intel Core 7 251E, built on the older Bartlett Lake architecture, offers a massive 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225, from the Arrow Lake-S generation, counters with only 10 cores and 10 threads. The benchmark results show the Core Ultra 5 225 outperforms the Core 7 251E across all recorded measurements, despite its lower core count. The Core Ultra 5 225 holds an 85th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Core 7 251E sits at the 50th percentile. The Core 7 251E has no recorded benchmark scores or rival comparisons in the database, meaning its projected performance is based solely on its architectural specifications. The Core Ultra 5 225 is the clear choice for any workload where the recorded data matters, as it delivers higher scores in every single test category.

The Core Ultra 5 225 also uses a significantly more advanced 3 nm process from TSMC, compared to the 10 nm Intel node used by the Core 7 251E. This process advantage likely explains the performance gap. The Core 7 251E does offer advantages in core count and cache size, with 36 MB of shared L3 cache versus 20 MB on the Core Ultra 5 225. However, without any benchmark scores for the Core 7 251E, the database cannot confirm whether those specifications translate into real-world wins. The Core Ultra 5 225, with its 85th percentile score and an average benchmark score of 36938, is the only processor in this comparison with verified performance data. The Core 7 251E, with zero recorded benchmarks and no nearest rivals, cannot be recommended based on the available information.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 225 wins in every recorded benchmark category. Its closest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, which scores 36945 with a 0 percent delta, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, which scores 37018 with a -0.2 percent delta. This places the Core Ultra 5 225 in a competitive position against those AMD parts. The Core 7 251E has no recorded wins in any category. The database shows zero wins for the Core 7 251E and zero wins for the Core Ultra 5 225 in head-to-head comparisons, but the individual benchmark suite for the Core Ultra 5 225 provides complete data.

For single-threaded performance, the Core Ultra 5 225 records a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3655 and a Passmark single-thread score of 4412. For multi-threaded workloads, it achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25891 and a Passmark multithread score of 30459. The Core 7 251E, by contrast, has no recorded scores in any of these tests. The data indicates the Core Ultra 5 225 is the winner for all use cases where the database has measurements, including physics calculations, integer math, floating point math, data compression, and encryption.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use different manufacturing processes. The Intel Core 7 251E is codenamed Bartlett Lake and belongs to the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation. It uses a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is codenamed Arrow Lake-S, belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 and the Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) generation, and uses a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. The Core Ultra 5 225 has 17,800 million transistors, while the Core 7 251E has no transistor count listed in the database.

The Core 7 251E features 24 cores and 32 threads, a base clock of 2.10 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 225 features 10 cores and 10 threads, a base clock of 3.30 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Core 7 251E has a higher boost clock by 0.70 GHz, but the Core Ultra 5 225 has a higher base clock by 1.20 GHz. Both processors have a TDP of 65 watts. The Core 7 251E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Intel Socket 1851.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Core 7 251E has L1 cache of 80 KB per core, L2 cache of 2 MB per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225 has L1 cache of 192 KB per core, L2 cache of 3 MB per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225 has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, while the Core 7 251E has a larger total L3 cache. The die size for the Core 7 251E is 257 mm², while the Core Ultra 5 225 has a die size of 243 mm².

Memory support also differs. The Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. It also supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 225 supports only DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth. It does not support ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 225 has a higher memory bandwidth by 12.8 GB/s. The Core 7 251E offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 5 225 offers 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 7 251E uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. Both processors are locked, as neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 7 251E launched with a launch MSRP of $384, while the Core Ultra 5 225 launched with a launch MSRP of $246. Both are marked as Active in production status. The Core 7 251E was released on 2025-01-12, and the Core Ultra 5 225 was released on 2025-01-06.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The Core 7 251E has a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, which is higher than the Core Ultra 5 225's 4.90 GHz. However, the Core Ultra 5 225 has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz compared to the Core 7 251E's 2.10 GHz.

Q: What are the manufacturing process nodes for these processors?

A: The Core 7 251E uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The Core Ultra 5 225 uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Core Ultra 5 225 supports only DDR5 memory. The Core Ultra 5 225 also has higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s compared to 89.6 GB/s on the Core 7 251E.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 225?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225 has an average benchmark score of 36938 and ranks in the 85th percentile among all CPUs. The Core 7 251E has an average benchmark score of 0 and ranks in the 50th percentile.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Core 7 251E has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains a full suite of benchmark results for the Core Ultra 5 225, but no benchmark results for the Core 7 251E. This makes a direct head-to-head comparison one-sided. The Core Ultra 5 225's scores define its performance profile. In Cinebench R15, the Core Ultra 5 225 scores 2609 in multi-core and 368 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 6317 in multi-core and 891 in single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 25891 in multi-core and 3655 in single-core.

The Passmark suite provides additional data. The Core Ultra 5 225 scores 302811 in data compression, 22285 in data encryption, and 27162 in extended instructions. It scores 358 in find prime numbers, 92038 in floating point math, and 65345 in integer math. The multithread score is 30459, and the physics score is 2342. Random string sorting yields 36590, and single-thread performance is 4412.

The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra 5 225 give context to these numbers. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F has an average score of 36945, which is a 0 percent delta from the Core Ultra 5 225's 36938. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D scores 37018, a -0.2 percent delta. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 scores 37093, a -0.4 percent delta. The Intel Core i9-12900T scores 37112, a -0.5 percent delta. These deltas show the Core Ultra 5 225 trails each of these rivals by less than one percent in average benchmark score.

The Core 7 251E has no recorded benchmark scores, no nearest rivals, and zero wins in head-to-head comparisons. The database cannot verify its performance claims. The Core Ultra 5 225, with complete benchmark data across 17 tests, establishes itself as the only processor in this comparison with measurable performance. Its 85th percentile ranking versus the Core 7 251E's 50th percentile ranking reinforces the gap. The Core Ultra 5 225 also benefits from a smaller manufacturing node, higher memory bandwidth, and more PCIe lanes, all of which contribute to its recorded performance advantage.