Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 225 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) up to 4.9 GHz
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AI Verdict
This is a 10-core (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores), 10-thread CPU with integrated Intel Graphics, boosting up to 4.9 GHz, best for budget-conscious users building a new LGA 1851 system for light gaming and eve
This 10-core, 10-thread CPU with integrated graphics and a 65W Processor Base Power is a situational fit for users building a new system on the LGA 1851 platform. It offers adequate performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming, but its multi-core and gaming performance can be outmatched by similarly priced alternatives, especially when considering the cost of a new motherboard. It's a good choice if you prioritize power efficiency and integrated graphics in a new build.
If you need more multi-threaded performance or higher gaming frame rates, look for CPUs with more P-cores, higher thread counts, or higher boost clocks, potentially from a previous generation with cheaper motherboard options.
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Pros
- Features 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 10 threads for multitasking.
- Includes integrated Intel Graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU for basic display output.
- Achieves a maximum turbo frequency of 4.9 GHz for responsive single-threaded applications.
- Operates with a 65W Processor Base Power, indicating lower power consumption compared to higher-tier CPUs.
- Supports modern standards like PCIe 5.0 & 4.0 and DDR5 memory.
Cons
- Lacks Hyper-Threading, resulting in 10 threads instead of the 14 threads listed in some product data.
- Gaming performance is around 13% slower than a Ryzen 5 7500F and 24% slower than a Ryzen 5 9600X.
- Multi-core performance is slower than a Ryzen 5 7600X in some benchmarks.
- Requires a new LGA 1851 motherboard, which may not be budget-friendly at launch.
- The included Intel Laminar RM2 cooler is a basic thermal solution, potentially leading to higher temperatures under sustained load.
Dimension Scores
The CPU achieves a maximum turbo frequency of 4.9 GHz and performs roughly on par with a 14600K and 7600X in single-core benchmarks.
With 10 cores and 10 threads, its multi-core performance is slower than a Ryzen 5 7600X and can be a bottleneck in demanding applications.
Operating at a 65W Processor Base Power and noted for significantly lower power consumption, it's considered one of the most efficient new CPUs available.
The new LGA 1851 socket and support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 offer modern connectivity, but the initial cost of compatible motherboards might limit its long-term value compared to more established platforms.
Best For
- Building a new budget-focused PC for general productivity and web browsing.
- Casual gaming at 1080p with a mid-range GPU, where CPU bottlenecking might occur in some titles.
- Entry-level photo and video editing.
- Compact PC systems due to its 65W Processor Base Power and easy cooling requirements.
Not Recommended For
- High-refresh-rate competitive gaming where every frame matters, as it can be CPU-bottlenecked.
- Heavy multi-threaded workloads like professional video rendering or complex scientific simulations.
- Users seeking significant overclocking headroom, as it is a locked processor.
Watch Out For
- The CPU can be a bottleneck in some games, with one user reporting 89% CPU utilization in Cyberpunk at 1080p.
- Motherboards for the new LGA 1851 socket might be expensive, negating some of the CPU's budget appeal.
- Despite being a newer generation, its gaming performance can be significantly behind AMD alternatives, with up to a 24% deficit compared to the Ryzen 5 9600X.
- The included Intel Laminar RM2 cooler is basic; users might experience temperatures around 80-85°C during stress tests.
- The lack of Hyper-Threading means it only has 10 threads, which can limit its performance in applications optimized for higher thread counts.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0DT7DXXJT |
| Brand | Intel |
| Color | Black |
| Series | Core Ultra 5 200 |
| CPU Model | Intel Core Ultra 5 |
| CPU Speed | 4.4 GHz |
| Processor | 4.4 GHz intel_core_ultra_5 |
| CPU Socket | LGA 1851 |
| Item Weight | 1.04 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Intel |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| CPU Manufacturer | Intel |
| Item model number | BX80768225 |
| Product Dimensions | 5.91 x 5.91 x 3.94 inches |
| Number of Processors | 5 |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.91 x 5.91 x 3.94 inches |
What Buyers Say
Users are pretty divided on this chip, mostly because of its initial pricing and how it stacks up against AMD. Some folks who got it cheaper or for specific builds, like a Proxmox machine, are happy with its 10 cores and low power draw. But a lot of reviews point out that for gaming, it's often slower than Ryzen chips, sometimes by a noticeable margin, and the new LGA 1851 motherboards can be pricey, which eats into any savings on the CPU itself. There's also some chatter about it being a 'terrible launch' because it was too expensive at first, but now that the price has dropped, some see it as a 'good value'.
“Man, this thing was a head-scratcher when it first came out, but now that it's cheaper, it's actually kinda decent for my basic gaming and browsing, though I wish the motherboard wasn't so dang much!”
Common Praise
- Runs cool compared to some AMD CPUs.
- Very solid for everyday tasks and gaming.
- Good for entry-level video editing and photo editing.
- Low power draw makes it suitable for compact systems.
- Integrated Intel Graphics is useful for builds without a dedicated GPU.
Common Complaints
- Gaming performance is often behind comparable Ryzen CPUs.
- Motherboards for the new LGA 1851 socket are expensive.
- Lacks Hyper-Threading, limiting its thread count to 10.
- Can experience CPU bottlenecks in some modern games at 1080p.
- Multi-core performance is underwhelming compared to some competitors.
Ownership Tips
- Even with the included Laminar RM2 cooler, temperatures can hit 80-85°C during stress tests, so a better cooler might be needed for sustained heavy loads.
- The lack of Hyper-Threading means it behaves more like a 10-core/10-thread chip, which can impact performance in heavily multi-threaded applications.
- While it supports DDR5, the memory controller might not handle extremely high-speed RAM as effectively as higher-tier CPUs.
- The integrated graphics are fine for basic display output but won't handle serious gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks.
- You might find yourself CPU-bottlenecked in some games, even with a mid-range GPU, leading to lower frame rates than expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this processor come with a CPU cooler?
Yes, the Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 225 includes an Intel® Laminar RM2 cooler in the box.
What motherboard do I need for this CPU?
You will need a motherboard with an LGA 1851 socket and an Intel 800 series chipset to be compatible with this processor.
Does this CPU have integrated graphics?
Yes, the Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 225 includes integrated Intel Graphics.
Can I overclock this processor?
No, this is a locked processor, meaning it does not officially support overclocking.
Is this processor good for gaming?
It's suitable for casual gaming at 1080p, but it can be CPU-bottlenecked in some titles and is generally slower than some AMD alternatives in gaming benchmarks.
What is the power consumption of this CPU?
The processor has a 65W Processor Base Power and a Maximum Turbo Power of 121W.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at a CPU like this, you're essentially picking the brain of your computer. It handles all the calculations, from opening web pages to running games. This particular chip is a newer generation, so it uses a brand-new motherboard socket (LGA 1851), which means you can't just drop it into an old system. You'll need a new motherboard, and those can add a significant chunk to your build cost. Think about what you actually do on your computer: if it's mostly browsing, office work, and some light gaming, this might be enough. If you're into heavy gaming or professional content creation, you'll want to look at more powerful options.
Cores (P-cores + E-cores) and Threads
Think of cores as individual workers and threads as tasks each worker can handle. This CPU has 6 'Performance' cores for demanding tasks and 4 'Efficiency' cores for background stuff, totaling 10 cores. It handles 10 threads. More cores and threads generally mean your computer can do more things at once without slowing down, like running a game while streaming music.
Max Turbo Frequency (4.9 GHz)
This is how fast the CPU can run when it needs to work hard, like when you launch an application or load a game level. A higher number here means snappier responses for tasks that rely on single-core speed. It's like the top speed a car can hit, but it won't always be running at that speed.
Socket (LGA 1851)
This is the physical connection point on your motherboard where the CPU sits. Different CPUs use different sockets, so you absolutely need a motherboard with the correct socket (LGA 1851 in this case) for this processor to fit. It's like making sure the right key fits the lock.
Processor Base Power (65W)
This number tells you how much power the CPU typically uses under normal load. A lower number means less heat generated and potentially lower electricity bills. It also means you might not need a super expensive, high-performance cooler, though the included one is basic.
Alternatives
If this CPU doesn't quite cut it, consider processors with higher core counts and thread counts for better multitasking, or chips with higher single-core boost frequencies and larger caches for improved gaming performance, especially if you're willing to invest in a more established platform with cheaper motherboards.
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