Intel Core Ultra 3 205 offers a similar performance boost as its bigger siblings when compared to its predecessor.
First Review of Intel Core Ultra 3 205 Shows Processor's Prowess in Various Workloads: Touches 4.8 GHz on P-Core and Over 4.3 GHz on the E-Core
A few days ago, we saw the entry-level Core Ultra 3 205 from the Arrow Lake-S family getting tested by a Korean reviewer, Bulls Lab. The reviewer gave us a glimpse of how the CPU performs in a few workloads, but he just uploaded a dedicated review video on his YouTube channel, showing the true prowess of the processor and how it stacks up against other budget Intel processors in the Arrow Lake and Raptor Lake Refresh family.
Since the Core Ultra 3 205 is aimed at the entry-level market, he utilized a cheap H810 chipset motherboard, which should get the job done for most. The processor performed quite well against its predecessor, the Core i3 14100, offering almost 48% higher multi-threaded score in Cinebench R23, which we saw earlier. This time, we also saw how the processor performs in the single-threaded workloads. Core Ultra 3 205 scored a good 1983 points in Cinebench R23, which is roughly 16% higher than the score by i3 14100.
This is similar to the performance uplifts we see when we compare the Core Ultra 5 225 against the Core i5 14400. The generational uplifts look decent, and the single-core performance is on par with the more expensive Core Ultra 5 225 processor. The processor was hitting almost 4.7 GHz on the P-Core and over 4.3 GHz on the E-Core, which is also impressive. The processor was also tested in graphical workloads and games, and we saw its iGPU score 1125 points in Time Spy, which is a 75% uplift over i3 14100.
In games, the iGPU won't be enough for intensive titles, but for non-intensive titles such as DOTA and Valorant, it offers smooth performance, and we can see its iGPU running at a constant 1800 MHz. The CPU usage remains in the 40-60% range in these games, and when coupled with a dedicated GPU, the CPU can handle the workload properly, but hits nearly 90% usage in intensive titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
All in all, this 4+4 core CPU looks good for entry-level gaming and should be an attractive solution at around $120. Bulls Lab showed that the CPU is available for 199,000 Won, which is equivalent to US$140, which appears somewhat higher, but a pre-built system (without a dGPOU) with Core Ultra 3 205 is selling for as low as 499,000 Won or US$360, which is an attractive price.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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