The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is the entry point into Intel’s newest desktop architecture — Arrow Lake on the LGA1851 socket. It is a ten-core, ten-thread chip that pairs six Performance cores with four Efficient cores and boosts up to 4.9 GHz, all inside a 65W TDP. Priced around $178, it is the cheapest sensible way onto the Intel 800 series platform. This Intel Core Ultra 5 225 review covers architecture, performance, platform and value.
Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Desktop Processor 225 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) up to 4.9 GHz
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Intel Core Ultra 5 225 at a Glance
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) / 10 threads |
| Base / boost clock | Up to 4.9 GHz boost |
| Cache | 22MB total cache |
| Architecture | Arrow Lake (hybrid, no Hyper-Threading) |
| Socket | LGA1851 |
| TDP | 65W |
| Integrated graphics | Integrated Intel Graphics |
| Cooler in box | Not included |
| Price | Around $178 |
Architecture and Key Specifications
The Ultra 5 225 is an Arrow Lake chip with six Performance cores and four Efficient cores. Crucially, Arrow Lake removes Hyper-Threading from the P-cores entirely, so total thread count equals total core count — ten cores, ten threads. Boost reaches up to 4.9 GHz inside a tight 65W TDP, with 22MB of total cache.
Intel argues that removing SMT lets the architecture clock higher and run more efficiently per thread, and Arrow Lake’s wider, smarter cores are designed to deliver competitive performance with fewer threads in total. Integrated Intel graphics are included for display output and light tasks. The chip ships without a cooler.
Gaming and Productivity Performance
For gaming, the Ultra 5 225’s six P-cores at up to 4.9 GHz make it competitive at 1080p and 1440p when paired with a mainstream GPU like an RTX 4060, RTX 4060 Ti or RX 7600. It will not match an X3D Ryzen for absolute gaming throughput, but for the GPUs it is naturally paired with it is rarely the bottleneck.
For productivity, ten total threads is modest compared with hybrid Intel chips of the previous generation that doubled threads on the P-cores, but Arrow Lake’s IPC and clocks help close the gap in lightly threaded work. The 65W TDP keeps power and heat very reasonable, and the chip is a sensible base for an efficient daily-driver build.
Platform, Memory and Compatibility
The Ultra 5 225 uses Intel’s new LGA1851 socket and requires an Intel 800-series chipset motherboard — there is no compatibility with older LGA1700 boards. Memory is DDR5 only, with modern speed targets, and the platform brings updated PCIe and connectivity standards aligned with Intel’s current generation.
LGA1851 is Intel’s current platform, which means buyers gain a fresh ecosystem and a more modern feature set, though board prices are generally higher than the older LGA1700 ecosystem. For board options see our best LGA1851 motherboards guide.
Cooling, Power and Build
No cooler is included. The 65W TDP makes the Ultra 5 225 one of the easiest Arrow Lake chips to cool — a quality mid-range air cooler is plenty, and a 240mm AIO is overkill in most cases. This is a chip well suited to compact and quiet builds.
Low power draw also reduces the power supply requirement; a quality 550W to 650W unit is comfortable for a typical mainstream build. The Ultra 5 225 is the natural pick for buyers who want a current-generation Intel desktop without paying enthusiast prices for the platform.
Who Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 For?
The Ultra 5 225 is for the mainstream PC builder who wants a current-generation Intel chip on the newest socket without spending enthusiast money. It is ideal for 1080p and entry-level 1440p gaming paired with a mid-range GPU, and works equally well as a daily-driver office or study machine.
It is less suited to two groups: enthusiast gamers, who will find the 9800X3D, 7800X3D or Ultra 7 265KF a stronger fit for high-end builds; and heavy multi-threaded creators, who will want more cores. For the Intel-first mainstream buyer, it is a sensible default.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Newest Arrow Lake architecture; modern LGA1851 platform; up to 4.9 GHz boost; very efficient 65W TDP; integrated graphics included; easy to cool quietly.
Cons: No cooler included; only 10 threads since Arrow Lake removes Hyper-Threading; requires a new Intel 800-series board; mainstream productivity throughput trails competitors with more threads.
Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Worth It?
At around $178 the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a sensible mainstream entry into the LGA1851 ecosystem. It is efficient, current and pairs naturally with mid-range GPUs and mainstream DDR5 memory.
Buyers who want to maximise gaming should look at the Ultra 7 265KF or AMD’s X3D chips; buyers who care about absolute thread count should consider the older 13600K. But for a current-gen mainstream Intel build at this price, the Ultra 5 225 earns a clear recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many threads does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 have?
Ten threads. Arrow Lake has no Hyper-Threading, so the Ultra 5 225’s ten cores translate to exactly ten threads.
Does the Core Ultra 5 225 come with a cooler?
No. Intel does not include a cooler, but the 65W TDP means a quality mid-range air cooler is sufficient.
What socket and motherboard does the Core Ultra 5 225 use?
It uses Intel’s new LGA1851 socket and requires an Intel 800-series chipset motherboard. It is not compatible with LGA1700 boards.
Does the Core Ultra 5 225 have integrated graphics?
Yes. It includes integrated Intel graphics suitable for display output and light tasks.
Compared with the older 13600K, the Ultra 5 225 trades total thread count for newer architecture, better efficiency and a current-generation platform. Compared with AMD’s 9600X, the 225 offers similar per-core performance at a comparable price but with fewer threads overall due to the absence of Hyper-Threading. Buyers who specifically want a current-gen Intel ecosystem — perhaps for upgrade plans, certain professional features or simply preference — will find the 225 the most affordable way to get there. For mainstream gaming paired with a mid-range GPU and a quality DDR5 kit, it is a sensible, efficient choice that should age gracefully on a fresh platform.
One useful framing: the Ultra 5 225 is the chip you pick when you want to start a fresh Intel build on the current platform without overspending. Lower thread count compared with the previous-generation 13600K is a real trade-off, but the newer architecture, current platform features and 65W efficiency profile partly compensate. For mainstream gamers and daily-driver users who prefer Intel and want to be on the new socket, the 225 is the most affordable point of entry — and it leaves room in the budget for a stronger GPU, a better cooler or a higher-tier board with the connectivity features that justify the platform investment over its useful life and across the inevitable future CPU upgrade cycles on LGA1851 as Intel rolls out its next architectures.
More CPU Reviews
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF Review: Mainstream Arrow Lake (No iGPU)
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Review: Flagship Arrow Lake Desktop CPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review: Ultra-Budget AM4 Six-Core
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X Review: Entry AM5 Six-Core
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X Review: Zen 5 Mainstream Six-Core
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Review: Zen 5 Eight-Core
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Review: Gaming Legend AM5 X3D
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review: Current Gaming Flagship
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