Core i5-14500HX vs Core Ultra 5 225H

Intel

Core i5-14500HX

14 Cores20 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2024

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Core Ultra 5 225H

14 Cores14 Thrd20 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025

Popular choices:

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

2024

Why 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

2025

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

  • 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?
It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 225H is ahead with a 20.4% average FPS lead across 38 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14500HX pulls ahead with 6.6% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-14500HX also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14500HX is the better fit. You are getting 6.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 5 225H still looks like the safer overall buy. Core Ultra 5 225H is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 20.4% average FPS lead across 38 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 5 225H is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024). 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i5-14500HXCore Ultra 5 225H
1080p
low259 FPS299 FPS
medium249 FPS262 FPS
high207 FPS218 FPS
ultra177 FPS187 FPS
1440p
low221 FPS245 FPS
medium190 FPS193 FPS
high151 FPS157 FPS
ultra132 FPS138 FPS
4K
low152 FPS168 FPS
medium130 FPS134 FPS
high99 FPS104 FPS
ultra88 FPS90 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-14500HXCore Ultra 5 225H
1080p
low557 FPS685 FPS
medium472 FPS543 FPS
high400 FPS432 FPS
ultra369 FPS385 FPS
1440p
low458 FPS566 FPS
medium403 FPS471 FPS
high350 FPS385 FPS
ultra306 FPS327 FPS
4K
low281 FPS349 FPS
medium248 FPS293 FPS
high234 FPS267 FPS
ultra208 FPS233 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-14500HXCore Ultra 5 225H
1080p
low647 FPS720 FPS
medium527 FPS720 FPS
high466 FPS720 FPS
ultra404 FPS653 FPS
1440p
low590 FPS720 FPS
medium485 FPS720 FPS
high424 FPS624 FPS
ultra370 FPS537 FPS
4K
low433 FPS628 FPS
medium372 FPS519 FPS
high334 FPS458 FPS
ultra285 FPS383 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-14500HXCore Ultra 5 225H
1080p
low710 FPS720 FPS
medium710 FPS720 FPS
high707 FPS720 FPS
ultra628 FPS720 FPS
1440p
low710 FPS720 FPS
medium682 FPS720 FPS
high592 FPS677 FPS
ultra515 FPS579 FPS
4K
low539 FPS604 FPS
medium490 FPS538 FPS
high437 FPS486 FPS
ultra380 FPS423 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-14500HX and Core Ultra 5 225H

Intel

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.

Intel

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.

FeatureCore i5-14500HXCore 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).

FeatureCore i5-14500HXCore 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.

FeatureCore i5-14500HXCore 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