Intel Core Ultra 5 225T vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245T Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T are two closely related desktop processors from the Core Ultra Series 2 family. Both are built on the Arrow Lake architecture and share the same fundamental design principles, yet the data reveals a significant performance gap between them. The 245T consistently outperforms the 225T across every recorded benchmark, making the comparison less about identifying strengths and more about quantifying the scale of the 245T's dominance.

FAQ

Q: What is the most significant difference in core configuration between the two processors?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245T has 14 cores and 14 threads. This 4-core difference is the primary driver of the performance disparity.

Q: How much faster is the Core Ultra 5 245T in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The 245T scores 26,208 points compared to the 225T's 21,971 points. The head-to-head data shows the 245T is 16.2% ahead in this workload.

Q: Do both processors use the same process node and foundry?

A: Yes, both are fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC. They also share the same transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm².

Q: Is there a difference in the integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Core Ultra 5 225T includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 Execution Units, whereas the Core Ultra 5 245T includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 Execution Units.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245T has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, which is higher than the 4.90 GHz boost clock of the Core Ultra 5 225T.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245T has an average benchmark score of 38,194, while the Core Ultra 5 225T has an average score of 30,468. This places the 245T in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 82nd percentile for the 225T.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are members of the Arrow Lake-S desktop family, built on the same 3 nm TSMC process node. They share the same transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², indicating they are derived from the same silicon foundation. The fundamental architecture is identical, with both featuring a dual-channel DDR5 memory interface and a Gen 5 PCIe connection with 20 CPU lanes.

The core counts differ significantly. The 225T is configured with 10 cores and 10 threads, while the 245T features 14 cores and 14 threads. Neither processor supports Hyper-Threading, as the thread count equals the core count for both. This difference in core count is the most consequential architectural variation, directly impacting multi-threaded workloads.

Cache allocation also differs between the two. While both have an L1 cache of 192 KB per core and an L2 cache of 3 MB per core, the shared L3 cache is larger on the 245T. The 225T has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the 245T has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, a 4 MB increase that complements the additional cores.

The integrated graphics present a major distinction. The 225T is equipped with Arc Xe-LPG Graphics featuring 16 Execution Units. The 245T, however, includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 Execution Units, which is four times the execution units of the 225T. This suggests a substantial difference in integrated graphics performance capability.

Memory support is another area of divergence. Both processors support DDR5, but the 225T does not support ECC memory, while the 245T does. This makes the 245T a more viable option for systems requiring error-correcting memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clean sweep, with the Core Ultra 5 245T winning all 17 recorded tests. The margins vary considerably, from a narrow single-thread advantage to a massive gap in integer math.

In Cinebench tests, the 245T demonstrates consistent superiority. In Cinebench R15, it scores 2,641 versus 2,214 in multi-core and 372 versus 312 in single-core, both results showing a 16.1% to 16.2% advantage. The Cinebench R20 results follow the same pattern, with the 245T scoring 11,007 versus 9,227 in multi-core and 1,553 versus 1,302 in single-core, again a 16.2% lead. Cinebench R23 shows the 245T at 26,208 versus 21,971 in multi-core and 3,699 versus 3,101 in single-core, maintaining the 16.2% delta.

The Passmark suite reveals where the largest performance gaps exist. The most dramatic difference appears in integer math, where the 245T scores 88,676 versus 59,543 for the 225T, a massive 32.9% advantage. Floating point math also shows a large gap, with the 245T scoring 108,499 versus 82,751, a 23.7% lead. Data encryption favors the 245T by 22.7%, with scores of 23,656 versus 18,289.

The single-thread tests show the smallest differences. In Passmark single-thread and singlethread tests, the 245T scores 4,367 versus 4,348 for the 225T, a mere 0.4% advantage. This indicates that the raw single-core architecture is very similar, and the 245T's higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz provides only a marginal edge over the 225T's 4.90 GHz.

Other notable wins include data compression, where the 245T scores 283,812 versus 233,998, a 17.6% lead. Multi-thread performance shows a 17.8% advantage for the 245T with a score of 30,833 versus 25,358. Physics tests show a 9.9% lead for the 245T, scoring 2,278 versus 2,053.

Specification Differences

The Core Ultra 5 245T and 225T differ in several specification fields. The core count is 14 for the 245T versus 10 for the 225T, with matching thread counts. The base clock is lower on the 245T at 2.20 GHz compared to 2.50 GHz on the 225T, but the boost clock is higher at 5.10 GHz versus 4.90 GHz.

The L3 cache differs, with the 245T offering 24 MB shared versus 20 MB shared on the 225T. ECC memory support is present on the 245T but absent on the 225T. The integrated graphics have different execution unit counts, 64 on the 245T versus 16 on the 225T.

The release dates differ, with the 225T released on 2024-12-31 and the 245T released on 2025-01-06. The 245T has a known part number of SRVFF, while the 225T's part number is listed as unknown. The 245T has a launch MSRP of $270.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Core Ultra 5 245T wins every single benchmark. There are no tests where the 225T comes out ahead. The 245T's wins are most pronounced in compute-heavy workloads like integer math, where it leads by 32.9%, and floating point math, where it leads by 23.7%.

The 245T also shows strong advantages in memory-related tasks. Data encryption tests show a 22.7% lead, and data compression shows a 17.6% lead. The multi-threaded Cinebench results all show a consistent 16.2% advantage, which aligns with the 40% increase in core count from 10 to 14.

The single-thread performance is nearly identical, with the 245T holding a slim 0.4% lead in Passmark single-thread tests. This makes the 225T competitive in single-threaded scenarios, but it still loses by a small margin.

The 225T offers no benchmark wins, but its existence as a 10-core part with a lower boost clock may appeal to scenarios where the integrated graphics are less important. However, the data does not support any performance scenario where the 225T is preferable.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245T is the superior processor in every measured category. Its 14 cores and 14 threads provide a substantial multi-core advantage over the 10-core 225T, resulting in an average benchmark score of 38,194 versus 30,468. The 245T's 86th percentile ranking versus the 225T's 82nd percentile confirms its higher standing among all CPUs.

The 245T also offers more L3 cache, ECC memory support, and a significantly more capable integrated GPU with 64 Execution Units versus 16. Its higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz, despite a lower base clock, contributes to better single-thread results. The launch MSRP of the 245T is $270.

The 225T does have a lower base clock, which may indicate lower power draw at idle, but the TDP for both is listed as 65. The 225T was released slightly earlier, on 2024-12-31 versus 2025-01-06 for the 245T.

Users requiring maximum performance from a 65W TDP desktop processor should select the Core Ultra 5 245T. The data shows it is consistently faster, often by significant margins, and it includes features like ECC memory support that the 225T lacks. The 225T remains a functional processor, but the recorded benchmarks provide no reason to choose it over the 245T when both are available.