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 225H

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +26.6% higher average FPS across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 20W instead of 65W, a 45W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc 130T GPU, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 225H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225H across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 14,526).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 225H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌225% higher power demand at 65W vs 20W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 225H

2025

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +26.6% higher average FPS across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 20W instead of 65W, a 45W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc 130T GPU, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 225H.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 225H across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 14,526).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 225H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌225% higher power demand at 65W vs 20W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 225H better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 225H is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 26.6% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data, 52.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 62.9% 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 225H is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 26.6% more average FPS across 43 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 225H is the better fit. You are getting 52.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 225H is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core Ultra 5 225H is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it gives you a 26.6% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 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 225H Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 3600 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225H	Ryzen 5 3600
1080p
low	299 FPS	200 FPS
medium	262 FPS	161 FPS
high	218 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	187 FPS	106 FPS
1440p
low	245 FPS	154 FPS
medium	193 FPS	119 FPS
high	157 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	75 FPS
4K
low	168 FPS	70 FPS
medium	134 FPS	58 FPS
high	104 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225H Open Ryzen 5 3600

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225H	Ryzen 5 3600
1080p
low	685 FPS	442 FPS
medium	543 FPS	404 FPS
high	432 FPS	332 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	295 FPS
1440p
low	566 FPS	420 FPS
medium	471 FPS	359 FPS
high	385 FPS	303 FPS
ultra	327 FPS	263 FPS
4K
low	349 FPS	297 FPS
medium	293 FPS	259 FPS
high	267 FPS	230 FPS
ultra	233 FPS	201 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225H Open Ryzen 5 3600

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225H	Ryzen 5 3600
1080p
low	720 FPS	442 FPS
medium	720 FPS	442 FPS
high	720 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	653 FPS	442 FPS
1440p
low	720 FPS	442 FPS
medium	720 FPS	442 FPS
high	624 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	537 FPS	432 FPS
4K
low	628 FPS	442 FPS
medium	519 FPS	361 FPS
high	458 FPS	305 FPS
ultra	383 FPS	242 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225H Open Ryzen 5 3600

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core Ultra 5 225H	Ryzen 5 3600
1080p
low	720 FPS	442 FPS
medium	720 FPS	442 FPS
high	720 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	720 FPS	442 FPS
1440p
low	720 FPS	442 FPS
medium	720 FPS	442 FPS
high	677 FPS	442 FPS
ultra	579 FPS	442 FPS
4K
low	604 FPS	442 FPS
medium	538 FPS	442 FPS
high	486 FPS	413 FPS
ultra	423 FPS	357 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 225H Open Ryzen 5 3600

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 225H and Ryzen 5 3600

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.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 225H packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225H has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225H versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H (base: 4.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 225H uses the Arrow Lake-H (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 225H scores 28,802 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 47.8% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 14,526 vs 9,500 (41.8% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,678 vs 1,295, a 69.6% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,337 vs 1,898 (146.7% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225H). L3 cache: 18 MB on the Core Ultra 5 225H vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225H	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	14 / 14+133%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+17%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	4.3 GHz+19%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB	32 MB (total)+78%
L2 Cache	—	512K (per core)
Process	5 nm-29%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-H (2025)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	28,802+63%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,526+53%	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,678+107%	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,337+550%	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 225H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 225H versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Core Ultra 5 225H supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core Ultra 5 225H) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Core Ultra 5 225H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: WM880,HM870 (Core Ultra 5 225H) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225H	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	FCBGA2049	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	28+17%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 225H) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core Ultra 5 225H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 130T GPU), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 225H targets Professional Content Creation Laptop, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 225H rivals Ryzen 7 9800H; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 225H	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel Arc 130T GPU	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Professional Content Creation Laptop	Gaming/Budget Workstation