Intel Core Ultra 5 225T vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235T Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T across nearly every workload category. It wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with the only two wins for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T being marginal single-thread results. The 235T delivers a higher average benchmark score of 38,561 compared to 30,468 for the 225T, a gap of roughly 26.6%. The 235T also sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the 225T sits at the 82nd percentile.

The 235T is the choice for users who need multi-core throughput, integer-heavy math, or encryption work. Its 14 cores and 14 threads versus the 225T's 10 cores and 10 threads provide a structural advantage that shows up in every Cinebench multi-core test and in PassMark's multithread score. The 225T retains a narrow win in PassMark single-thread tests (4,348 vs 4,339, a 0.2% delta), but this is too small to give it a meaningful edge in daily use.

The 225T still has a role for systems where the workload is predominantly single-threaded and power constraints matter, since both parts share a 65 W TDP but the 225T accomplishes less work per unit of power. However, the data does not support choosing the 225T on performance grounds alone. The 235T's launch MSRP is $247, which the database records without further context.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks. The 225T wins only the two PassMark single-thread tests, with a 0.2% margin in each.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 235T scores 26,232 versus 21,971 for the 225T, a delta of 16.2%. The PassMark multithread test shows a similar gap: 30,918 versus 25,358, a delta of 18%.

Q: Does the 225T have any advantage in single-thread performance?

A: Yes, but only marginally. The 225T scores 4,348 in PassMark single-thread, while the 235T scores 4,339. The delta is 0.2% in favor of the 225T. In Cinebench R23 single-core, however, the 235T leads with 3,703 versus 3,101, a 16.3% advantage.

Q: Are both CPUs on the same socket and process node?

A: Yes. Both use Intel Socket 1851, the Arrow Lake architecture, and a 3 nm process node from TSMC. Both have 17,800 million transistors and a die size of 243 mm².

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache?

A: The 235T has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 225T has 20 MB. Both have the same L1 cache of 192 KB per core and L2 cache of 3 MB per core.

Q: Do the two CPUs differ in integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The 235T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 EU, while the 225T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 EU. Both support DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Where Each One Wins

The 235T dominates in every multi-core workload category. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests all show the 235T ahead by roughly 16.2% to 16.3%. PassMark's multithread test confirms this pattern with a delta of 18%. The 235T also wins all PassMark math and data workloads: integer math (84,244 vs 59,543), floating-point math (106,546 vs 82,751), data compression (295,100 vs 233,998), data encryption (23,457 vs 18,289), extended instructions (23,212 vs 20,083), prime number finding (318 vs 284), random string sorting (35,377 vs 28,774), and physics (2,157 vs 2,053).

The 225T wins only the PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, both scored at 4,348 versus 4,339. This 0.2% margin is negligible in real-world terms. The 225T also has a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz for the 235T, which contributes to its slight single-thread edge in PassMark's methodology, but the 235T compensates with a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz.

For users running heavily threaded rendering, encoding, or simulation workloads, the 235T is the clear pick. For workloads that are strictly single-threaded and where the 225T's higher base clock matters, the 225T is technically the winner, but the margin is too small to be decisive.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the 235T comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 84,244 versus 59,543, a delta of 29.3%. This is the biggest percentage gap in the entire comparison. Floating-point math follows closely with a delta of 22.3% (106,546 vs 82,751). Data encryption shows a 22% delta (23,457 vs 18,289), and data compression shows a 20.7% delta (295,100 vs 233,998). These four workloads highlight the 235T's advantage in compute-heavy and data-processing tasks.

The Cinebench suite shows consistent leads for the 235T across both single-core and multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 235T scores 26,232 versus 21,971, a delta of 16.2%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 235T scores 3,703 versus 3,101, a delta of 16.3%. The R20 and R15 tests follow the same pattern: R20 multi-core shows 11,017 versus 9,227 (16.2% delta), R20 single-core shows 1,555 versus 1,302 (16.3% delta), R15 multi-core shows 2,644 versus 2,214 (16.3% delta), and R15 single-core shows 373 versus 312 (16.4% delta). The consistency of these deltas across all Cinebench versions indicates a uniform per-core performance advantage for the 235T, not just a core-count advantage.

PassMark multithread shows 30,918 versus 25,358, a delta of 18%. Random string sorting shows 35,377 versus 28,774, a delta of 18.7%. Extended instructions shows 23,212 versus 20,083, a delta of 13.5%. Prime number finding shows 318 versus 284, a delta of 10.7%. Physics shows the smallest multi-core win for the 235T: 2,157 versus 2,053, a delta of 4.8%.

The only wins for the 225T are the two PassMark single-thread tests, both with a score of 4,348 versus 4,339 and a delta of 0.2%. This is the narrowest possible margin in the comparison.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Arrow Lake architecture, codenamed Arrow Lake-S, and belong to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. Both are built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors and a die size of 243 mm². The fundamental architectural difference lies in the core configuration: the 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. Neither processor supports hyper-threading, as both have equal core and thread counts.

The L3 cache differs, with the 235T offering 24 MB shared versus 20 MB shared for the 225T. L1 cache is identical at 192 KB per core, and L2 cache is also identical at 3 MB per core. The larger L3 cache on the 235T likely contributes to its performance advantage in data-heavy workloads such as compression and encryption, though the core count difference is the primary factor.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The 235T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units, while the 225T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. Both support DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

Both processors use the same PCIe configuration: Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both are marked as Active in production status and target the Desktop market segment.

The release dates differ slightly. The 225T was released on 2024-12-31, while the 235T was released on 2025-01-06. Both are currently active products.

Specification Differences

The core count is the most significant specification difference. The 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. This is a 40% increase in core count for the 235T.

Clock speeds differ in both directions. The 225T has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz for the 235T. The 235T has a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz for the 225T.

The L3 cache differs: 24 MB shared for the 235T versus 20 MB shared for the 225T. The integrated graphics also differ: 24 EU for the 235T versus 16 EU for the 225T.

The 235T has a recorded part number of SRQES, while the 225T's part number is listed as unknown. The 235T has a launch MSRP of $247, while the 225T has no recorded launch MSRP.

Both processors share identical specifications in several areas: TDP of 65 W, Intel Socket 1851, Arrow Lake architecture, 3 nm process node, TSMC foundry, 17,800 million transistors, 243 mm² die size, 192 KB L1 cache per core, 3 MB L2 cache per core, DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, no ECC support, PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, Desktop market segment, Active production status, and locked multipliers.