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 i7-10700K

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.0% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $387 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 225U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌792.9% higher power demand at 125W vs 14W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 225U

2025

Why buy it

✅Draws 14W instead of 125W, a 111W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700K across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (7,846 vs 8,404).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Core i7-10700K

2020

Core Ultra 5 225U

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.0% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Why buy it

✅Draws 14W instead of 125W, a 111W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $387 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 225U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌792.9% higher power demand at 125W vs 14W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 225U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700K across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (7,846 vs 8,404).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700K better than Core Ultra 5 225U?

Yes. Core i7-10700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 21.0% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data, 7.1% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.7% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-10700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 21.0% 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 i7-10700K is the better fit. You are getting 7.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-10700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-10700K is at an unclear MSRP at $387 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 21.0% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (48.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core Ultra 5 225U is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. 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 i7-10700K Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 5 225U Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-10700K	Core Ultra 5 225U
1080p
low	302 FPS	277 FPS
medium	265 FPS	248 FPS
high	223 FPS	210 FPS
ultra	191 FPS	181 FPS
1440p
low	247 FPS	230 FPS
medium	195 FPS	185 FPS
high	160 FPS	152 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	134 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	161 FPS
medium	136 FPS	131 FPS
high	105 FPS	101 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	89 FPS

Open Core i7-10700K Open Core Ultra 5 225U

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-10700K	Core Ultra 5 225U
1080p
low	464 FPS	420 FPS
medium	464 FPS	335 FPS
high	457 FPS	295 FPS
ultra	407 FPS	259 FPS
1440p
low	464 FPS	358 FPS
medium	464 FPS	296 FPS
high	422 FPS	266 FPS
ultra	362 FPS	227 FPS
4K
low	405 FPS	278 FPS
medium	342 FPS	237 FPS
high	320 FPS	219 FPS
ultra	275 FPS	188 FPS

Open Core i7-10700K Open Core Ultra 5 225U

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-10700K	Core Ultra 5 225U
1080p
low	464 FPS	461 FPS
medium	464 FPS	461 FPS
high	464 FPS	461 FPS
ultra	464 FPS	461 FPS
1440p
low	464 FPS	461 FPS
medium	464 FPS	461 FPS
high	464 FPS	461 FPS
ultra	464 FPS	461 FPS
4K
low	464 FPS	461 FPS
medium	464 FPS	461 FPS
high	432 FPS	409 FPS
ultra	362 FPS	342 FPS

Open Core i7-10700K Open Core Ultra 5 225U

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-10700K	Core Ultra 5 225U
1080p
low	464 FPS	461 FPS
medium	464 FPS	461 FPS
high	464 FPS	461 FPS
ultra	464 FPS	461 FPS
1440p
low	464 FPS	461 FPS
medium	464 FPS	461 FPS
high	464 FPS	461 FPS
ultra	464 FPS	461 FPS
4K
low	464 FPS	461 FPS
medium	464 FPS	461 FPS
high	464 FPS	461 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	410 FPS

Open Core i7-10700K Open Core Ultra 5 225U

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-10700K and Core Ultra 5 225U

Core i7-10700K

The Core i7-10700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 18,561 points. Launch price was $400.

Core Ultra 5 225U

The Core Ultra 5 225U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,434 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-10700K packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 225U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i7-10700K versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 225U — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700K (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-10700K uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 225U uses Arrow Lake-U (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10700K scores 18,561 against the Core Ultra 5 225U's 18,434 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-10700K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,290 vs 2,374, a 59.2% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,404 vs 7,846 (6.9% advantage for the Core i7-10700K). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700K vs 12 MB on the Core Ultra 5 225U.

Feature	Core i7-10700K	Core Ultra 5 225U
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 14+50%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+6%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+58%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)+33%	12 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Arrow Lake-U (2025)
PassMark	18,561	18,434
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,144	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,290	2,374+84%
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,404+7%	7,846

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10700K uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 225U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700K versus DDR5-6400 / LPDDR5x-8400 on the Core Ultra 5 225U — the Core Ultra 5 225U 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: 16 (Core i7-10700K) vs 20 (Core Ultra 5 225U) — the Core Ultra 5 225U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 400 Series,Intel 500 Series (Core i7-10700K) and Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 5 225U).

Feature	Core i7-10700K	Core Ultra 5 225U
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR5-6400 / LPDDR5x-8400+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-10700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-10700K) vs VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core Ultra 5 225U). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-10700K) and Intel Graphics (4 Xe Cores) (Core Ultra 5 225U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10700K targets Gaming/Workstation, Core Ultra 5 225U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-10700K rivals Ryzen 7 3700X; Core Ultra 5 225U rivals Ryzen 5 8640U.

Feature	Core i7-10700K	Core Ultra 5 225U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Intel Graphics (4 Xe Cores)
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use	Gaming/Workstation	Productivity