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

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $98 less on MSRP ($231 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Delivers 41.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 96.2 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,653 vs 2,720).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,050 vs 18,000).
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 8700G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 8700G.

Ryzen 7 8700G

2024

Why buy it

✅+2.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Core Ultra 5 225F needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Spire), unlike Core Ultra 5 225F.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 96.2 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).

Core Ultra 5 225F

2025

Ryzen 7 8700G

2024

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $98 less on MSRP ($231 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Delivers 41.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 136.5 vs 96.2 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅+2.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Core Ultra 5 225F needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Spire), unlike Core Ultra 5 225F.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,653 vs 2,720).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,050 vs 18,000).
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 8700G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 8700G.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 96.2 vs 136.5 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 8700G better than Core Ultra 5 225F?

Yes. Ryzen 7 8700G is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 5.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 0.3% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 8700G is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 8700G is the better fit. You are getting 5.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 8700G is still the faster CPU overall, but Core Ultra 5 225F makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen 7 8700G is 42.4% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $231 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 5 225F is also 41.9% better value on MSRP (136.5 vs 96.2 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1851 + DDR5 setup, Core Ultra 5 225F 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 2024) and 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 7 8700G Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 8700G
1080p
low	256 FPS	267 FPS
medium	244 FPS	240 FPS
high	208 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	174 FPS
1440p
low	219 FPS	236 FPS
medium	187 FPS	192 FPS
high	154 FPS	157 FPS
ultra	133 FPS	137 FPS
4K
low	150 FPS	163 FPS
medium	127 FPS	135 FPS
high	99 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	86 FPS	91 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225F Open Ryzen 7 8700G

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 8700G
1080p
low	603 FPS	483 FPS
medium	512 FPS	398 FPS
high	421 FPS	343 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	305 FPS
1440p
low	501 FPS	423 FPS
medium	441 FPS	367 FPS
high	372 FPS	317 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	269 FPS
4K
low	301 FPS	280 FPS
medium	266 FPS	254 FPS
high	248 FPS	240 FPS
ultra	218 FPS	206 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225F Open Ryzen 7 8700G

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 8700G
1080p
low	789 FPS	791 FPS
medium	680 FPS	791 FPS
high	609 FPS	690 FPS
ultra	522 FPS	581 FPS
1440p
low	725 FPS	730 FPS
medium	588 FPS	609 FPS
high	515 FPS	516 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	435 FPS
4K
low	504 FPS	506 FPS
medium	422 FPS	441 FPS
high	377 FPS	392 FPS
ultra	318 FPS	329 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225F Open Ryzen 7 8700G

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 8700G
1080p
low	789 FPS	791 FPS
medium	789 FPS	791 FPS
high	777 FPS	791 FPS
ultra	699 FPS	756 FPS
1440p
low	789 FPS	791 FPS
medium	716 FPS	764 FPS
high	623 FPS	661 FPS
ultra	547 FPS	574 FPS
4K
low	560 FPS	579 FPS
medium	510 FPS	514 FPS
high	457 FPS	459 FPS
ultra	402 FPS	395 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225F Open Ryzen 7 8700G

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 225F and Ryzen 7 8700G

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 7 8700G

The Ryzen 7 8700G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,649 points. Launch price was $329.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225F packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8700G offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225F versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 8700G — a 4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700G (base: 3.3 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 7 8700G uses Phoenix (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225F scores 31,541 against the Ryzen 7 8700G's 31,649 — a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 8700G. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,050 vs 18,000 (5.4% advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700G). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,653 vs 2,720, a 2.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 8700G that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,028 vs 14,326 (9.5% advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700G). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 225F vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8700G.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 8700G
Cores / Threads	10 / 10+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5.1 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	4.2 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+25%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)+200%	1 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm-25%	4 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)	Phoenix (2023−2024)
PassMark	31,541	31,649
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,050	18,000+6%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,653	2,720+3%
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,028	14,326+10%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225F uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 8700G uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. Both support up to 256 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 5 225F) vs 20 (Ryzen 7 8700G) — the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 225F) and X670,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 8700G).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 8700G
Socket	LGA1851	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	256 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	24+20%	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 8700G has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225F) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 8700G). The Ryzen 7 8700G includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Core Ultra 5 225F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 8700G targets High-end Desktop APU. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 8700G rivals Core i7-13700.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225F	Ryzen 7 8700G
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon 780M
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	High-end Desktop APU

💰

Value Analysis

The Core Ultra 5 225F launched at $231 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 8700G debuted at $329. On MSRP ($231 vs $329), the Core Ultra 5 225F is $98 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 225F delivers 136.5 pts/$ vs 96.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 8700G — making the Core Ultra 5 225F the 34.7% better value option.