
Core i5-14500HX
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Core Ultra 5 225H
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Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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 i5-14500HX
2024Why buy it
- ✅+6.6% higher Geekbench multi-core.
- ✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225H across 38 shared CPU benchmark tests.
Core Ultra 5 225H
2025Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +20.4% higher average FPS across 38 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (12,337 vs 13,150).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
Core i5-14500HX
2024Core Ultra 5 225H
2025Why buy it
- ✅+6.6% higher Geekbench multi-core.
- ✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +20.4% higher average FPS across 38 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225H across 38 shared CPU benchmark tests.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (12,337 vs 13,150).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
Quick Answers
So, is Core Ultra 5 225H better than Core i5-14500HX?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Games Benchmarks
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.

Path of Exile 2
| Preset | Core i5-14500HX | Core Ultra 5 225H |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 259 FPS | 299 FPS |
| medium | 249 FPS | 262 FPS |
| high | 207 FPS | 218 FPS |
| ultra | 177 FPS | 187 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 221 FPS | 245 FPS |
| medium | 190 FPS | 193 FPS |
| high | 151 FPS | 157 FPS |
| ultra | 132 FPS | 138 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 152 FPS | 168 FPS |
| medium | 130 FPS | 134 FPS |
| high | 99 FPS | 104 FPS |
| ultra | 88 FPS | 90 FPS |

Counter-Strike 2
| Preset | Core i5-14500HX | Core Ultra 5 225H |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 557 FPS | 685 FPS |
| medium | 472 FPS | 543 FPS |
| high | 400 FPS | 432 FPS |
| ultra | 369 FPS | 385 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 458 FPS | 566 FPS |
| medium | 403 FPS | 471 FPS |
| high | 350 FPS | 385 FPS |
| ultra | 306 FPS | 327 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 281 FPS | 349 FPS |
| medium | 248 FPS | 293 FPS |
| high | 234 FPS | 267 FPS |
| ultra | 208 FPS | 233 FPS |

League of Legends
| Preset | Core i5-14500HX | Core Ultra 5 225H |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 647 FPS | 720 FPS |
| medium | 527 FPS | 720 FPS |
| high | 466 FPS | 720 FPS |
| ultra | 404 FPS | 653 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 590 FPS | 720 FPS |
| medium | 485 FPS | 720 FPS |
| high | 424 FPS | 624 FPS |
| ultra | 370 FPS | 537 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 433 FPS | 628 FPS |
| medium | 372 FPS | 519 FPS |
| high | 334 FPS | 458 FPS |
| ultra | 285 FPS | 383 FPS |

Valorant
| Preset | Core i5-14500HX | Core Ultra 5 225H |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 710 FPS | 720 FPS |
| medium | 710 FPS | 720 FPS |
| high | 707 FPS | 720 FPS |
| ultra | 628 FPS | 720 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 710 FPS | 720 FPS |
| medium | 682 FPS | 720 FPS |
| high | 592 FPS | 677 FPS |
| ultra | 515 FPS | 579 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 539 FPS | 604 FPS |
| medium | 490 FPS | 538 FPS |
| high | 437 FPS | 486 FPS |
| ultra | 380 FPS | 423 FPS |
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-14500HX and Core Ultra 5 225H

Core i5-14500HX
Core i5-14500HX
The Core i5-14500HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 28,383 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 5 225H
Core Ultra 5 225H
The Core Ultra 5 225H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 MB + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 28,802 points. Launch price was $385.
Processing Power
The Core i5-14500HX packs 14 cores / 20 threads, matching the Core Ultra 5 225H's 14 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-14500HX versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225H — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Core i5-14500HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 225H uses Arrow Lake-H (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14500HX scores 28,383 against the Core Ultra 5 225H's 28,802 — a 1.5% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,409 vs 2,678, a 10.6% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,150 vs 12,337 (6.4% advantage for the Core i5-14500HX). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-14500HX vs 18 MB on the Core Ultra 5 225H.
| Feature | Core i5-14500HX | Core Ultra 5 225H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 20 | 14 / 14 |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz | 4.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 4.3 GHz+65% |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB (total)+33% | 18 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 5 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) | Arrow Lake-H (2025) |
| PassMark | 28,383 | 28,802+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 14,526 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,409 | 2,678+11% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 13,150+7% | 12,337 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-14500HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i5-14500HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-14500HX) vs 28 (Core Ultra 5 225H) — the Core Ultra 5 225H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM770 (Core i5-14500HX) and WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 5 225H).
| Feature | Core i5-14500HX | Core Ultra 5 225H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1964 | FCBGA2049 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 192 GB+50% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | Yes | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 28+40% |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Core i5-14500HX) and Intel Arc 130T GPU (Core Ultra 5 225H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-14500HX targets Gaming Laptop, Core Ultra 5 225H targets Professional Content Creation Laptop. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225H rivals Ryzen 7 9800H.
| Feature | Core i5-14500HX | Core Ultra 5 225H |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel Arc 130T GPU |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Gaming Laptop | Professional Content Creation Laptop |
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