Intel Core Ultra 5 322 vs. Core Ultra 5 225H: Newer but Slower in CPU and Graphics Tests

The Core Ultra 5 322, based on the Panther Lake architecture, launched in 2026. However, it trails the Core Ultra 5 225H, released a year earlier, in multithreaded tests and games. In Cinebench R23, the tested laptop with the 225H scores more than twice as many points, while its advantage in 3DMark Time Spy Graphics reaches 76%.

The Core Ultra 5 322 has six cores and integrated graphics with two Xe3 cores, while the 225H has fourteen cores and Arc 130T with seven Xe cores. The newer processor does have a more powerful NPU, with a claimed performance of 46 TOPS versus 13 TOPS.

Key Differences

The Core Ultra 5 322 contains two performance P-cores and four efficient LP E-cores. The Core Ultra 5 225H has four P-cores, eight E-cores, and two LP E-cores.

The additional cores give the 225H an advantage in multithreaded workloads. Its maximum turbo power is also more than twice as high, allowing it to sustain high performance with adequate cooling.

CPU Performance: The 225H Is Faster in Multithreaded Tests

The table shows results from three laptops tested by Notebookcheck.

Source: Notebookcheck. These are results from individual laptops, not processor averages.

In Geekbench 6, the laptops with the Core Ultra 5 225H outperform the Lenovo with the Core Ultra 5 322 by 7-8% in the single-threaded test and by 38-50% in the multithreaded test.

In Cinebench R23 Multi, the Asus ExpertBook B5 with the 225H scores 16,466 points, while the Lenovo IdeaPad with the 322 scores 7862 points.

The processors’ power limits also affect the results. The tested Lenovo had a long-term power limit of 24 W, while the Asus reached 40 W. In both configurations, the short-term limit was set to 45 W. Therefore, the difference in Cinebench cannot be explained solely by architecture and core count.

The Core Ultra 5 225H is better suited to compiling large projects, rendering, and batch photo processing. The difference is generally less noticeable when working with documents, websites, and video calls.

Integrated Graphics: Seven Xe Cores vs. Two Xe3 Cores

The Core Ultra 5 322 has integrated Xe3 graphics with two Xe cores. The Core Ultra 5 225H uses Arc 130T with seven Xe cores, giving it an advantage in graphics tests.

In 3DMark Time Spy Graphics, the Arc 130T scores 76% more points.

In Dota 2, the laptop with the Core Ultra 5 225H reaches 53 FPS at maximum settings, while the model with the 322 delivers around 35 FPS. In Cyberpunk 2077, both systems run at less than 30 FPS at 1080p and low settings with upscaling disabled.

The Arc 130T is faster in both gaming tests. However, even with this graphics processor, Cyberpunk 2077 does not reach 30 FPS at the selected settings.

Power Consumption and Battery Life

According to Intel’s specifications, the processors’ base power is nearly identical: 25 W for the Core Ultra 5 322 and 28 W for the 225H. However, their maximum turbo power differs by more than two times: 55 W versus 115 W. Actual limits depend on the laptop manufacturer’s settings.

Notebookcheck obtained the following battery-life results while browsing websites over Wi-Fi:

Both tests were conducted at a screen brightness of 150 cd/m².

In the Wi-Fi test, the Lenovo laptop lasted 15 hours 20 minutes, while the Asus lasted 8 hours 51 minutes. However, the Lenovo has a 60 Wh battery, compared with 50 Wh in the Asus. The displays also differ, so these results cannot determine which processor is more power-efficient.

NPU: The Core Ultra 5 322’s Advantage

The Core Ultra 5 322’s NPU delivers up to 46 TOPS, compared with 13 TOPS for the Core Ultra 5 225H. As a result, the 322 meets the Copilot+ PC requirement for NPU performance, which is at least 40 TOPS.

This advantage applies specifically to the neural processing unit. In applications that use the CPU or GPU instead of the NPU, the Core Ultra 5 225H may be faster.

Laptops and Prices

In October 2026, laptops with either processor can be found for approximately $1000-1100.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1 with a Core Ultra 5 322, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD costs around $1000 at the US retailer Staples.

At Best Buy, the Asus ExpertBook 16 with a Core Ultra 5 225H, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD costs around $1090. The laptop is sold by a third-party seller. This is not the Asus configuration used in the tests.

Although their prices are similar, the laptops differ considerably in equipment. The Lenovo is a compact 2-in-1 with a touchscreen, while the Asus has a larger display and is designed for office work.

Which Processor to Choose

• Intel Core Ultra 5 322 is suitable for browsing, office applications, and software that uses the NPU. It is worth considering in compact laptops with good battery life and Copilot+ PC support.
• Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is preferable for programming, rendering, photo processing, and gaming on integrated graphics. Its additional cores give it an advantage in sustained computational workloads.

Conclusion

The Core Ultra 5 225H is faster in multithreaded tests and games, even though it appeared a year before the Core Ultra 5 322. Its advantage is explained by the greater number of CPU and graphics cores, as well as higher power limits.

The Core Ultra 5 322 wins in claimed NPU performance and meets Copilot+ PC requirements. At comparable laptop prices, the 225H is better suited to demanding computing tasks and gaming, while the 322 is primarily worth considering in compact models with good battery life.