Intel Core i5-7500 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225

The Intel Core i5-7500 was introduced as a mid-range processor for desktop systems and is based on the Kaby Lake S architecture.

Manufactured using the 14-nanometer process, this model is aimed at home users and basic office tasks. It features four cores and four threads, with specifications stating no Level 2 cache and a Level 3 cache of 6 MB. Measurements show an inferiority in multi-core performance compared to newer standards.

The processor also lags behind subsequent generations in single-core performance. Since the integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 only meets basic requirements, gaming performance is limited without a dedicated graphics card. With a TDP of 65 watts, the power consumption is moderate. The Intel Core i5-7500 is primarily found on the second-hand market, where the price-performance ratio is rather low due to its age and the PCIe 3.0 interface.

In contrast, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 represents a solution based on the Arrow Lake architecture.

This processor is manufactured using the efficient 3-nanometer process and targets users seeking a high-performance system environment. The architecture offers significantly higher values in single-core performance and clearly exceeds the Intel Core i5-7500 in multi-core performance.

With a Level 2 cache of 26 MB and a Level 3 cache of 24 MB, it provides substantially more buffer memory. Thanks to the Intel Xe 4 Core Graphics 64 EUs (Arrow Lake) and support for PCIe 5.0, it is better suited for demanding games and applications. The memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s supports fast data operations.

Although the thermal load is optimized by the manufacturing process, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 offers a much higher computing capacity. For many requirements, this processor is the technically superior choice.