Intel Core Ultra 5 225 vs Core Ultra 5 235: Which is the best budget gaming CPU?

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Core Ultra 5 235 bring the latest Arrow Lake-S architecture to mainstream gaming builds. These chips pack enough computational muscle to drive high-end GPUs like the AMD RX 9070 XT and the Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti without breaking a sweat. With Intel's aggressive pricing strategy for its new Arrow Lake lineup, both processors are positioned as compelling alternatives for budget-conscious builders.

But which Arrow Lake chip should you pick for your next gaming rig? While their underlying architecture is the same, they have key differences that could sway your decision. Let's break down both processors and see which one delivers better bang for your buck.

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The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Core Ultra 5 235 are budget gaming chips designed for entry-level systems

The Core Ultra 5 225H is the cheapest Arrow Lake-S processor you can buy (Image via eBay, Intel)

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Core Ultra 5 235 share the same DNA, but there are fundamental differences in their core counts and operating speeds. Given that the architecture is the same, looking at the specs sheet can tell us what to expect.

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Specs comparison

The Core Ultra 5 225 is Intel's entry-level model for the Arrow Lake-based LGA1851 ecosystem. It packs a 6P+4E core configuration that totals 10 cores and 10 threads. The chip clocks up to 4.9 GHz, and Efficient-cores (E-cores) reach 4.4 GHz, delivering solid single-threaded performance for gaming workloads.

The Core Ultra 5 235, meanwhile, steps things up significantly. Team Blue has equipped this chip with eight Efficient-cores alongside six Performance-cores, bumping the total to 14 cores and 14 threads.

Intel has packed 42 MB of total cache into the 225, split between 22 MB L2 and 20 MB L3. Meanwhile, the 235 bundles 50 MB of total cache(26 MB L2 + 24 MB L3).

Here's a look a the specs of the two processors, side-by-side:

Specification	Core Ultra 5 225	Core Ultra 5 235
Architecture (P‑cores + E‑cores)	Hybrid: 6 Performance‑cores + 4 Efficient‑cores = 10 cores, 10 threads	Hybrid: 6 Performance‑cores + 8 Efficient‑cores = 14 cores, 14 threads
Base / Turbo Clocks	P‑core base 3.3 GHz / turbo up to 4.9 GHz; E‑core base 2.7 GHz / turbo up to 4.4 GHz	P‑core base 3.4 GHz / turbo up to 5.0 GHz; E‑core base 2.9 GHz / turbo up to 4.4 GHz
L2 + L3 Cache	22 MB L2 + 20 MB L3 = ~42 MB total cache	26 MB L2 + 24 MB L3 = ~50 MB total cache
TDP / Power	65 W base power; max turbo power ~121 W	65 W base; max turbo power up to 121 W
NPU (AI performance)	Intel AI Boost: ~13 TOPS (Int8) ● overall ~23 TOPS including CPU + iGPU	Intel AI Boost: ~13 TOPS NPU; ~27 TOPS total system Int8 performance
Integrated GPU	Intel Xe Graphics with 2 Xe‑cores (32 EUs), boost ~1.8 GHz, ~2.7 TFLOPS FP32	Intel Xe Graphics with 4 Xe‑cores (64 EUs), boost ~2.0 GHz, ~~4.0 TFLOPS FP32
PCIe / Memory	PCIe 5.0 / 4.0, 24 lanes; dual‑channel DDR5 up to DDR5‑6400; memory cap ~256 GB; ECC support	PCIe 5.0 / 4.0, 24 lanes; same memory support and ECC as 225
Release Date	Q1 2025; ~$236 MSRP	Q1 2025; ~$247 MSRP

Both processors carry similar MSRPs, with the 235 priced at a $11 premium. Currently, prices are hovering around $220-230 for the 225 and $235-245 for the 235.

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Performance comparison

The Core Ultra 5 235 comes with incremental improvements over its cheaper sibling (Image via Amazon, Intel)

Gaming performance is where these chips need to prove their worth. Here's how the FPS achieved by either CPU differs. We sourced this data from the YouTube channel GECID Benchmarks. The chips were tested with the RTX 4090, which limits any possibilities for GPU bottlenecks.

	Intel Core Ultra 5 225	Intel Core Ultra 5 235
Assassin's Creed: Shadows	83 FPS	81 FPS
Baldur's Gate 3	88 FPS	92 FPS
Counter-Strike 2	443 FPS	478 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077	101 FPS	109 FPS
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2	139 FPS	148 FPS
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2	58 FPS	64 FPS
Total War Saga: Troy	81 FPS	103 FPS

While the Core Ultra 5 225 manages to edge ahead in Assassin's Creed: Shadows by a slim 2 FPS margin, the 235 largely happens to be the faster processor. The difference is noticeable in competitive esports games (like Counter-Strike 2), which generally tend to be more CPU-heavy.

However, the gap between the chips is slim, translating to just an 8.8% advantage for the 235. With the exception of Total War Saga: Troy and Counter-Strike 2, we're looking at <10 FPS gaps. In other words, unless you're into simulation or competitive titles, the difference between the 225 and the 235 won't be noticeable.

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Final thoughts

We recommend the Core Ultra 5 235 over the 225, as it's a well-rounded chip that packs enough headroom for multitasking and professional workloads, while being just $11 costlier. The difference will be more noticeable if you're on a high-end GPU, as the 235's extra computing potential can help squeeze out more frames.