Intel Core Ultra 5 225T vs Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T, winning all 17 head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the 225T scores 21971 against 9848, a 123.1% advantage. This is the standout result in the entire comparison, indicating a massive difference in sustained multi-threaded workload performance.

Single-core results are closer but still favor the 225T decisively. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 225T scores 3101 versus 1744 for the 226V, a 77.8% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 44.7% gap (1302 vs 900), while R15 single-core narrows to 16.9% (312 vs 267). PassMark single-thread testing shows the 225T at 4348 against 3754, a 15.8% edge. These numbers suggest the 225T holds a significant architectural advantage in lightly threaded tasks, though the delta shrinks as the test becomes less demanding.

Multi-core Cinebench results show a widening gap as workload intensity increases. R15 multicore gives the 225T a 47.5% lead (2214 vs 1501), R20 multicore shows 44.6% (9227 vs 6381), and R23 multicore jumps to 123.1%. This scaling pattern indicates the 225T's additional cores and higher power envelope translate into progressively larger advantages under longer, heavier loads.

PassMark integer math favors the 225T by 54.1% (59543 vs 38647), while floating point math shows a 58.3% gap (82751 vs 52270). Prime number finding, a test sensitive to both clock speed and core count, gives the 225T a 71.1% advantage (284 vs 166). Data compression shows 37.1% (233998 vs 170687), and encryption tasks deliver 43.9% (18289 vs 12710). Extended instruction workloads give the 225T 20083 against 14724, a 36.4% margin.

The 225T also wins in passmark multithread (25358 vs 17850, 42.1%), physics (2053 vs 1449, 41.7%), and random string sorting (28774 vs 20813, 38.3%). No benchmark in the recorded data shows the 226V ahead. The closest margins are in single-threaded tests, where the 225T leads by roughly 16%, while the widest margins exceed 120% in multicore rendering.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T uses the Arrow Lake architecture on the Arrow Lake-S codename, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. It packs 10 cores and 10 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The 226V uses the Lunar Lake architecture, also on a 3 nm TSMC process, but with 8 cores and 8 threads, a base clock of 2.10 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Both are part of the Core Ultra Series 2 generation.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both CPUs use 192 KB of L1 cache per core. The 225T carries 3 MB of L2 per core and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The 226V has 2.5 MB of L2 per core and only 8 MB of shared L3. This 12 MB difference in L3 capacity likely contributes to the 225T's advantage in cache-sensitive workloads like random string sorting and data compression.

The 225T is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP, while the 226V is a mobile processor rated at 17 W. This power disparity explains much of the performance gap, especially in sustained multicore loads. The 225T uses the Intel Socket 1851 platform, whereas the 226V uses Intel BGA 2833, which is a soldered mobile socket.

Memory support also differs. The 225T supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The 226V lists memory support as dependent on motherboard, with dual-channel operation but no recorded bandwidth figure. Neither chip supports ECC memory.

PCIe lane counts are substantially different. The 225T provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the 226V provides Gen 5 with only 4 lanes. This makes the 225T far more suitable for discrete GPUs and multiple NVMe drives, while the 226V targets thin-and-light systems with limited expansion.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 225T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. The 226V uses Arc 130V graphics. The mobile part's integrated solution is designed for portable systems where discrete graphics are absent, but the database records no graphics benchmark scores for either chip.

The 225T contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The 226V does not list transistor count or die size in the database. Both CPUs have locked multipliers, meaning overclocking is not supported on either part.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins every recorded benchmark category. Its strongest areas are multicore rendering, integer and floating point math, and encryption. The 123.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore makes it the clear choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, and other heavily threaded production workloads. The 71.1% advantage in prime number finding and 58.3% in floating point math point toward scientific computing and simulation tasks.

The 225T also holds a decisive edge in memory-intensive operations. Data compression shows a 37.1% lead, random string sorting shows 38.3%, and extended instructions show 36.4%. These results align with the larger L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth available to the desktop chip.

The 226V, despite losing every comparison, has a narrower deficit in single-threaded tests. Its 15.8% gap in PassMark single-thread and 16.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core suggests it can handle everyday desktop tasks reasonably well. The mobile chip's 17 W TDP makes it suitable for battery-powered systems where the 225T's 65 W requirement is impractical. The 226V's integrated Arc 130V graphics may also serve light gaming or media playback in portable devices, though no benchmark data confirms this.

For workloads that fit within the 226V's thermal envelope, such as office productivity, web browsing, and lightweight coding, the chip delivers acceptable performance. But the data clearly shows that any task with substantial parallelism or heavy compute requirements will favor the 225T by a wide margin.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T as the superior processor in every measured dimension. Its 17 wins out of 17 comparisons, including a 123.1% multicore lead and a 77.8% single-core lead in Cinebench R23, leave no ambiguity. Desktop builders seeking a CPU for rendering, compilation, or data-heavy workloads should select the 225T without hesitation.

The 226V occupies a different niche entirely. Its 17 W TDP and BGA 2833 socket target ultraportable laptops where power efficiency matters more than raw throughput. The 8-core, 8-thread configuration with 8 MB of L3 cache can handle general productivity, but the 225T beats it by 42.1% in passmark multithread and 44.6% in Cinebench R20 multicore. Anyone needing to run sustained high-performance tasks on battery power will find the 226V lacking.

The 225T's 65 W TDP and 20-lane Gen 5 PCIe interface make it a proper desktop workhorse. The 226V's 4-lane Gen 5 PCIe limits expansion options severely. The 225T also provides 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, a figure the 226V does not match in the database.

Choosing between these two processors depends entirely on the system form factor and power budget. For a desktop tower with adequate cooling, the 225T is the clear winner on every recorded metric. For a thin laptop where battery life and thermals dominate, the 226V exists as a viable low-power option, but it cannot compete on performance.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multicore performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins all multicore benchmarks. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 21971 for the 225T versus 9848 for the 226V, a 123.1% advantage. PassMark multithread gives the 225T 25358 against 17850, a 42.1% lead.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The 225T leads in every single-core test. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3101 versus 1744, a 77.8% gap. PassMark single-thread records 4348 for the 225T and 3754 for the 226V, a 15.8% difference.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Neither chip supports hyper-threading, so thread counts equal core counts.

Q: How does the power consumption differ?

A: The 225T has a TDP of 65 W, while the 226V has a TDP of 17 W. The 226V is designed for mobile systems with limited cooling and battery capacity.

Q: Do these CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the 225T and 226V have ECC memory support set to false in the database.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The 225T provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The 226V provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU, a substantial difference for expansion and GPU connectivity.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 225T | Intel Core Ultra 5 226V |

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

| Cores | 10 | 8 |

| Threads | 10 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Architecture | Arrow Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Codename | Arrow Lake-S | Lunar Lake |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 17,800 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 243 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | Depends on motherboard |

| Memory Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU | Arc 130V |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2024-12-31 | 2024-09-23 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | Unknown | SRPMQSRPMR |