Intel Core 7 253PQE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE records an average benchmark score of 55919, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 records an average score of 36938, placing it in the 85th percentile.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock and what is the difference?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Core 7 253PQE holds a 0.80 GHz advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same core count?

A: Yes, both processors have 10 cores. The key difference is in thread count: the Intel Core 7 253PQE supports 20 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 supports 10 threads.

Q: Which processor wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test and by how much?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins with a score of 31390 compared to 25891 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, a 21.2% advantage.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins three benchmarks: PassMark find prime numbers (358 vs 206, a 42.5% margin), PassMark single thread (4412 vs 4389, a 0.5% margin), and PassMark singlethread (4412 vs 4389, a 0.5% margin).

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 offers 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE offers 89.6 GB/s. The Ultra 5 225 has a 12.8 GB/s advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families with distinct design approaches. The Intel Core 7 253PQE is built on the Bartlett Lake codename, using a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It belongs to the Core 7 generation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, built on a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. Its production details include 17,800 million transistors and a die size of 243 mm².

The core and thread configurations differ significantly. Both have 10 cores, but the Core 7 253PQE doubles the thread count to 20 via Hyper-Threading technology, while the Core Ultra 5 225 operates with 10 threads. This directly affects multi-threaded workload performance, as the benchmark data confirms.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Core 7 253PQE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L2 allocation on the Ultra 5 225 contrasts with the larger total L3 pool on the Core 7 253PQE.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 7 253PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 225 supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Ultra 5 225 achieves higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Core 7 253PQE but not on the Core Ultra 5 225.

PCIe connectivity shows a difference in lane count. The Core 7 253PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 225 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 7 253PQE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU.

The sockets are incompatible. The Core 7 253PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Intel Socket 1851. This means motherboard selection is completely separate for each processor. The Core 7 253PQE has a TDP of 125, while the Core Ultra 5 225 has a TDP of 65, indicating a significant thermal design difference. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison shows a dominant performance profile for the Intel Core 7 253PQE, which wins 14 of the 17 recorded tests. The margins vary considerably across workload types.

In Cinebench testing, the Core 7 253PQE leads consistently. The R15 multi-core test shows a score of 3163 versus 2609, a 21.2% advantage. The R15 single-core test shows 446 versus 368, also a 21.2% advantage. The R20 multi-core test produces the largest Cinebench gap: 13183 versus 6317, a 108.7% advantage. The R20 single-core test follows with 1861 versus 891, a 108.9% advantage. The R23 multi-core test records 31390 versus 25891, a 21.2% advantage, and the R23 single-core test records 4431 versus 3655, also a 21.2% advantage.

PassMark results continue the trend but with a few notable exceptions. Data compression shows 487335 versus 302811, a 60.9% advantage for the Core 7 253PQE. Data encryption shows 25515 versus 22285, a 14.5% advantage. Extended instructions show 32390 versus 27162, a 19.2% advantage. Floating point math shows 105279 versus 92038, a 14.4% advantage. Integer math shows the second-largest overall margin: 137795 versus 65345, a 110.9% advantage. Multithread performance shows 41656 versus 30459, a 36.8% advantage. Physics shows 2970 versus 2342, a 26.8% advantage. Random string sorting shows 54222 versus 36590, a 48.2% advantage.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 secures three wins. The largest is in find prime numbers, scoring 358 against 206, a 42.5% margin in its favor. The other two wins are narrow: single thread and singlethread both show 4412 versus 4389, a 0.5% margin. These results indicate the Ultra 5 225 has a slight edge in single-threaded PassMark testing and a substantial edge in prime number computation specifically.

The overall pattern shows the Core 7 253PQE dominating heavily in multi-threaded benchmarks, with margins from 14.4% to 110.9%. Its integer math result is more than double that of the Core Ultra 5 225. The Cinebench R20 tests show the largest proportional gaps in either direction.

The Verdict

The recorded data establishes the Intel Core 7 253PQE as the stronger performer in the majority of tested workloads. Its 91st percentile ranking versus the 85th percentile ranking of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 reflects the average score difference of 55919 versus 36938. The Core 7 253PQE wins 14 benchmarks, including all six Cinebench tests and all but three PassMark tests.

The Core Ultra 5 225 does not compete in multi-threaded scenarios. The 20-thread configuration of the Core 7 253PQE produces margins of 21.2% in Cinebench R15 and R23 multi-core tests, and 108.7% in Cinebench R20 multi-core. The PassMark integer math result of 137795 versus 65345 shows a workload where the Core 7 253PQE more than doubles the output of its rival.

The Core Ultra 5 225 holds a single meaningful victory in the recorded data: find prime numbers, where it scores 358 versus 206. This is a 42.5% advantage and indicates a specific computational strength. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4412 is marginally ahead of the 4389 scored by the Core 7 253PQE, but the 0.5% margin is within a range that suggests near-parity.

For users selecting between these two desktop processors, the data points to the Intel Core 7 253PQE for general-purpose computing, rendering, and multi-threaded productivity. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 offers a lower thermal envelope at 65 TDP versus 125 TDP, higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, and a more advanced 3 nm process node. These architectural advantages do not translate into benchmark wins outside of the three recorded tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The Intel Core 7 253PQE has 20 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 threads. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for the Core 7 253PQE and 3.30 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 225. Boost clocks are 5.70 GHz and 4.90 GHz respectively.

The process node is 10 nm for the Core 7 253PQE and 3 nm for the Core Ultra 5 225. The foundry is Intel for the former and TSMC for the latter. The Core Ultra 5 225 has recorded transistor and die size data: 17,800 million transistors and 243 mm² die size, while the Core 7 253PQE has no such data recorded.

Cache configurations differ. The Core 7 253PQE has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB L3 shared. The Core Ultra 5 225 has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB L3 shared. The L3 cache is 13 MB larger on the Core 7 253PQE, while the L2 cache is 1 MB larger per core on the Core Ultra 5 225.

Memory support shows the Core 7 253PQE accepts DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 225 accepts only DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s, favoring the Ultra 5 225. ECC memory is supported only on the Core 7 253PQE.

PCIe lanes differ: Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Core 7 253PQE versus Gen 5 with 20 lanes for the Core Ultra 5 225. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 for the Core 7 253PQE and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU for the Core Ultra 5 225.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 7 253PQE, Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 225. TDP is 125 for the Core 7 253PQE and 65 for the Core Ultra 5 225. The Core 7 253PQE has a release date of 2026-03-08, while the Core Ultra 5 225 has a release date of 2025-01-06. The launch MSRP is $409 for the Core 7 253PQE and $246 for the Core Ultra 5 225.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins in rendering and multi-threaded productivity. Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 multi-core all show the Core 7 253PQE ahead by 21.2% or more. The R20 multi-core margin of 108.7% indicates a load that heavily favors the 20-thread configuration. PassMark multithread confirms this with a 36.8% advantage.

Integer-heavy workloads clearly belong to the Core 7 253PQE. The PassMark integer math score of 137795 is 110.9% ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225. Data compression also favors the Core 7 253PQE at 487335 versus 302811, a 60.9% margin. Random string sorting shows a 48.2% advantage. These results indicate a strong general computing profile for the Core 7 253PQE.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins in prime number computation. The PassMark find prime numbers score of 358 versus 206 represents a 42.5% advantage, the only large margin in its favor among the recorded tests. This suggests an efficiency in a specific mathematical workload that does not extend to other PassMark tests.

The Core Ultra 5 225 also holds a narrow edge in PassMark single-thread testing. Its score of 4412 is 0.5% higher than the 4389 of the Core 7 253PQE. This is a minimal margin but does appear consistently across both single-thread and singlethread test entries.

The data indicates the Core Ultra 5 225 is the more efficient platform in terms of thermal design, with a TDP of 65 versus 125, and offers higher memory bandwidth. The Core 7 253PQE provides a larger L3 cache, ECC memory support, and compatibility with DDR4. These differences matter for platform selection but do not offset the performance gap in the majority of benchmarks.