Intel Core Ultra 5 225T vs Intel Processor N250 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T compare to the Intel Processor N250 in terms of core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads, while the Intel Processor N250 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Core Ultra 5 225T doubles the thread count of the N250.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel Processor N250 has a base clock of 0.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Processor N250 has a TDP of 6 watts. The N250 consumes significantly less power.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 memory only, with a dual-channel memory bus. The Intel Processor N250 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory, but uses a single-channel memory bus.

Q: How do the integrated graphics differ between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T features Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. The Intel Processor N250 features UHD Graphics 730.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T ranks in the 82nd percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel Processor N250 ranks in the 50th percentile. This indicates the Core Ultra 5 225T is positioned much higher in overall performance.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is built on the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically the Arrow Lake-S variant, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2. It uses a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Intel Processor N250 uses the Twin Lake architecture, belonging to the Intel Processor generation based on Alder Lake-N. It is fabricated on a 10 nm process node by Intel's own foundry.

The cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core Ultra 5 225T has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The N250 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225T provides more L2 cache per core and a larger shared L3 pool.

The two processors target different sockets and market segments. The Core Ultra 5 225T uses Intel Socket 1851 and is classified as a desktop processor. The N250 uses Intel BGA 1264 and is classified as a mobile processor. This reflects their intended deployment scenarios: the Core Ultra 5 225T for desktop systems, the N250 for mobile or low-power embedded designs.

The Core Ultra 5 225T supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the N250 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes from the CPU. The memory bandwidth figures also diverge sharply: the Core Ultra 5 225T delivers 102.4 GB/s over dual-channel DDR5, while the N250 delivers 38.4 GB/s over single-channel memory. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The process node difference is notable: 3 nm versus 10 nm. The Core Ultra 5 225T also carries a much larger transistor count and die size, consistent with its higher core count and larger L3 cache. The N250's smaller footprint and lower TDP align with its mobile orientation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains benchmark results for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T, while the Intel Processor N250 has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. The head-to-head comparison therefore relies on the Core Ultra 5 225T's absolute scores and its position relative to other CPUs.

The Core Ultra 5 225T achieves a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 21,971 and a single-core score of 3,101. Its Cinebench R20 scores are 9,227 multicore and 1,302 single-core, and Cinebench R15 scores are 2,214 multicore and 312 single-core. These results indicate strong scaling from single-threaded to multi-threaded workloads.

In PassMark tests, the Core Ultra 5 225T records 25,358 in multithread and 4,348 in single-thread. The data compression score is 233,998, while data encryption reaches 18,289. Extended instructions score 20,083, and find prime numbers scores 284. Floating point math scores 82,751, integer math scores 59,543, physics scores 2,053, and random string sorting scores 28,774.

The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 225T is 30,468. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i9-11980HK with an average score of 30,422 and a delta of 0.2 percent, the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS with 30,390 and a delta of 0.3 percent, the Intel Core i5-13600H with 30,548 and a delta of -0.3 percent, and the AMD Ryzen 7 7736U with 30,364 and a delta of 0.3 percent. These deltas place the Core Ultra 5 225T within a tight performance band around these comparable parts.

The Core Ultra 5 225T sits in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. Since the N250 has no benchmark entries, the database does not provide any direct score comparison between the two. The N250's 50th percentile ranking, however, places it below the Core Ultra 5 225T in overall CPU hierarchy.

Given the structural differences, the Core Ultra 5 225T offers significantly more compute resources: 10 cores versus 4 cores, a 4.90 GHz boost clock versus 3.80 GHz, and 20 MB of L3 cache versus 6 MB. The N250's advantage lies in its 6 watt TDP, which indicates a far lower power envelope, but the absence of benchmark data means no direct performance metric can be attached to that efficiency.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads; the N250 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz and 0.10 GHz respectively, and boost clocks are 4.90 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. TDP is 65 watts versus 6 watts.

Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 225T, Intel BGA 1264 for the N250. The architectures are Arrow Lake and Twin Lake respectively, with process nodes of 3 nm (TSMC) and 10 nm (Intel). Transistor count is 17,800 million for the Core Ultra 5 225T, with no transistor count listed for the N250. Die size is 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 5 225T, with no die size listed for the N250.

Cache configurations differ: L1 is 192 KB per core versus 96 KB per core, L2 is 3 MB per core versus 2 MB shared, and L3 is 20 MB shared versus 6 MB shared. Memory support is DDR5 for the Core Ultra 5 225T versus DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 for the N250. Memory bus is dual-channel versus single-channel, and memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s.

PCIe support differs: Gen 5 with 20 lanes for the Core Ultra 5 225T, Gen 3 with 9 lanes for the N250. Integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU versus UHD Graphics 730. Market segment is desktop versus mobile. The release date for the Core Ultra 5 225T is 2024-12-31, and for the N250 it is 2025-01-06. The part number is unknown for the Core Ultra 5 225T and SRPNS for the N250. Neither has a launch MSRP recorded.

The Verdict

The benchmark data positions the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T as the higher-performance processor. Its 82nd percentile ranking, 10-core configuration, larger cache hierarchy, and higher clock speeds give it a clear performance advantage in compute-heavy tasks. The recorded Cinebench and PassMark scores confirm strong multi-threaded and single-threaded capability, with an average benchmark score of 30,468 and near-parity with several established laptop and desktop processors.

The Intel Processor N250, with its 50th percentile ranking and no benchmark entries, occupies a different role. Its 4-core design, 6 watt TDP, and support for multiple memory types including LPDDR5 suggest a low-power mobile processor suited for efficiency-focused systems. The single-channel memory bus and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity further indicate a platform designed for minimal power draw rather than peak throughput.

The Core Ultra 5 225T is the appropriate choice for desktop workloads where multi-core performance, memory bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity matter. The N250 is appropriate for mobile or compact systems where the 6 watt TDP and flexible memory support are the priority. The data does not include any direct benchmark head-to-head, so performance comparisons beyond the specification differences rely on the Core Ultra 5 225T's recorded scores and the N250's absence of recorded scores.

The choice between the two hinges on the target platform and workload. For desktop systems requiring high compute throughput, the Core Ultra 5 225T delivers. For low-power mobile designs, the N250 offers a drastically reduced power envelope. The database records no benchmark results for the N250, so its performance characteristics remain unquantified relative to the Core Ultra 5 225T.