PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core Ultra 5 225F

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.1% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 26.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).
❌
16.1% HIGHER MSRP
$231 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅+60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Costs $32 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core Ultra 5 225F.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225F across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 17,050).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 108.3 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225F moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 225F

2025

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.1% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 26.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅+60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Costs $32 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core Ultra 5 225F.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).
❌
16.1% HIGHER MSRP
$231 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225F across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 17,050).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 108.3 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225F moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225F better than Ryzen 5 5600?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 225F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 28.1% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data, 53.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 46.4% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 5 225F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 28.1% more average FPS across 2 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 225F is the better fit. You are getting 53.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core Ultra 5 225F is the smarter buy today. Core Ultra 5 225F is 16.1% more expensive on MSRP at $231 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it gives you a 28.1% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 26.1% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 108.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 5600 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 225F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 10 threads instead of 6/12. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core Ultra 5 225F Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 5 5600
1080p
low	256 FPS	161 FPS
medium	244 FPS	130 FPS
high	208 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	93 FPS
1440p
low	219 FPS	141 FPS
medium	187 FPS	113 FPS
high	154 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	133 FPS	78 FPS
4K
low	150 FPS	79 FPS
medium	127 FPS	69 FPS
high	99 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	86 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225F Open Ryzen 5 5600

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 5 5600
1080p
low	603 FPS	508 FPS
medium	512 FPS	419 FPS
high	421 FPS	351 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	310 FPS
1440p
low	501 FPS	447 FPS
medium	441 FPS	375 FPS
high	372 FPS	323 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	277 FPS
4K
low	301 FPS	313 FPS
medium	266 FPS	268 FPS
high	248 FPS	243 FPS
ultra	218 FPS	209 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225F Open Ryzen 5 5600

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 5 5600
1080p
low	789 FPS	539 FPS
medium	680 FPS	526 FPS
high	609 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	522 FPS	414 FPS
1440p
low	725 FPS	539 FPS
medium	588 FPS	434 FPS
high	515 FPS	396 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	339 FPS
4K
low	504 FPS	371 FPS
medium	422 FPS	298 FPS
high	377 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	318 FPS	197 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225F Open Ryzen 5 5600

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 5 5600
1080p
low	789 FPS	539 FPS
medium	789 FPS	539 FPS
high	777 FPS	539 FPS
ultra	699 FPS	539 FPS
1440p
low	789 FPS	539 FPS
medium	716 FPS	539 FPS
high	623 FPS	539 FPS
ultra	547 FPS	493 FPS
4K
low	560 FPS	501 FPS
medium	510 FPS	448 FPS
high	457 FPS	398 FPS
ultra	402 FPS	349 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225F Open Ryzen 5 5600

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 225F and Ryzen 5 5600

Core Ultra 5 225F

The Core Ultra 5 225F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 31,541 points. Launch price was $231.

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225F packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225F scores 31,541 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 37.6% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,050 vs 11,077 (42.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,653 vs 2,052, a 25.5% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,028 vs 8,600 (40.9% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	10 / 10+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+11%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+60%
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)+500%	512K (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	31,541+46%	21,550
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,050+54%	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	2,653+29%	2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,028+51%	8,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225F versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Core Ultra 5 225F supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 225F supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	LGA1851	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+100%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core Ultra 5 225F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core Ultra 5 225F launched at $231 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600 debuted at $199. On MSRP ($231 vs $199), the Ryzen 5 5600 is $32 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 225F delivers 136.5 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 23.1% better value option.