Intel Core Ultra 5 225T vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Comparison

Intel Core Ultra 5 225T and Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX are both built on the Arrow Lake architecture, but they target different segments: the 225T is a desktop part on Socket 1851, while the 255HX is a mobile part on BGA 2114. The database records show a clear performance hierarchy, with the 255HX dominating in multi-threaded workloads and the 225T taking a notable single-core victory in one specific test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive result in the database is the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T scores 3101 against 2163 for the 255HX, a 43.4% advantage. This is the only head-to-head benchmark the 225T wins, and it is a substantial one. The result suggests that the desktop part's thermal and power envelope allows it to sustain higher single-core performance in this specific workload.

Every other recorded benchmark favors the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX. In multi-core rendering, the gap is wide. The 255HX scores 4916 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 2214 for the 225T, a 55% deficit for the desktop chip. Cinebench R20 multicore shows a 46.3% gap, with the 255HX at 17187 and the 225T at 9227. Cinebench R23 multicore narrows that deficit to 32.6%, with the 255HX at 32612 and the 225T at 21971.

PassMark results follow the same pattern. The 255HX doubles the 225T in data compression, scoring 515143 versus 233998, a 54.6% delta. Data encryption shows a 53.7% gap, with 39499 against 18289. Extended instructions favor the 255HX at 41247 versus 20083, a 51.3% delta. Integer math sees the 255HX at 127126 versus 59543, a 53.2% gap, and floating point math shows 160624 versus 82751, a 48.5% deficit. Multithread performance in PassMark gives the 255HX a 47.4% lead, 48234 versus 25358.

The single-threaded PassMark results are closer. The 255HX scores 4562 against 4348 for the 225T, a 4.7% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core also favors the 255HX narrowly, 327 versus 312, a 4.6% delta. The 255HX also leads in Cinebench R20 single-core, 2426 versus 1302, though this 46.3% gap is much larger than the other single-thread tests. The 225T wins in random string sorting by 54%, but that is a loss for the 225T, with the 255HX at 62591 versus 28774.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the clear winner for multi-threaded workloads. Rendering, compression, encryption, and physics simulations all show a massive advantage for the 255HX. In PassMark physics, it scores 2926 against 2053, a 29.8% lead. For any workload that scales across cores, the 255HX is the better choice. The 20-core, 20-thread configuration delivers roughly double the throughput of the 10-core, 10-thread 225T in several tests, including data compression, encryption, and integer math.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins only in Cinebench R23 single-core. That result is significant for lightly threaded tasks that rely on a single core, and it indicates that the desktop chip can outperform the mobile part in at least one specific scenario. However, the PassMark single-thread test shows the 255HX ahead, and the Cinebench R15 single-core result also favors the 255HX. The 225T's single-core win is isolated to one benchmark, so its practical advantage in general single-threaded work is limited.

For integrated graphics, the 255HX uses an Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU unit, while the 225T uses a 16EU version. The 255HX has four times the execution units, which points to a large difference in iGPU compute capability, though no specific graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Arrow Lake architecture and are built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. Both have 17,800 million transistors and a die size of 243 mm². The L1 cache is 192 KB per core and L2 cache is 3 MB per core for both. The L3 cache differs: the 225T has 20 MB shared, while the 255HX has 30 MB shared.

The core and thread counts are the primary architectural split. The 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads, also without hyperthreading. The 255HX effectively doubles the core count, which explains its dominance in multi-threaded benchmarks.

Clock speeds differ as well. The 225T has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The 255HX has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The 255HX has a slightly lower base clock but a higher boost clock. The TDP figures are 65 watts for the 225T and 55 watts for the 255HX, so the desktop chip has a higher power limit despite being slower in most tests.

The socket and market segment are major differences. The 225T uses Intel Socket 1851 and is a desktop part. The 255HX uses Intel BGA 2114 and is a mobile part. The 255HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the 225T does not. The 255HX has a part number of SRVFG; the 225T's part number is unknown.

Both support DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ, with the 225T using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU and the 255HX using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is faster in every recorded multi-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 32612 versus 21971 for the 225T, a 32.6% advantage. In PassMark multithread, it scores 48234 versus 25358, a 47.4% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 3101 against 2163 for the 255HX, a 43.4% advantage. This is its only head-to-head win out of 17 recorded tests.

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 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads. Neither processor uses hyperthreading.

Q: How do the clock speeds compare?

A: The 225T has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The 255HX has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 20 MB.

Q: Are both processors built on the same process node?

A: Yes, both are built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die size.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 225T | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |

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

| Cores | 10 | 20 |

| Threads | 10 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | unknown | SRVFG |

| Release Date | 2024-12-31 | 2025-01-12 |

The Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the stronger processor in nearly every measurable way. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including all multi-threaded tests and most single-threaded tests. Its 20 cores and 30 MB of L3 cache give it a decisive edge in rendering, compression, and math workloads. The 255HX also carries a higher boost clock at 5.20 GHz and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, and its 64EU integrated graphics unit is much more capable than the 16EU unit in the 225T.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is a desktop part with a higher TDP of 65 watts, yet it only wins one benchmark, Cinebench R23 single-core, by a 43.4% margin. That result is notable, but it is not enough to offset the 255HX's dominance elsewhere. The 225T's lower core count and smaller L3 cache hold it back in multi-threaded work.

The data points to a straightforward choice. The 255HX is the better processor for users who need multi-threaded performance, and it also holds a narrow lead in most single-threaded tests. The 225T is the better option only for those who prioritize the specific Cinebench R23 single-core workload and need a desktop socket. For everything else, the 255HX delivers roughly double the performance in several PassMark tests and a 32.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore.