Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core Ultra 5 225F

Find out what factors you should consider when choosing a motherboard for Intel's 15th generation Core Ultra 5 225F, along with our recommended motherboards to pair with this CPU.

Choosing the Best Motherboard for Intel's Core Ultra 5 225F Brandon Jones / TechReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Written by Brandon Jones

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Motherboard Requirements for the Core Ultra 5 Processor 225F

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For Intel's 15th generation Core Ultra 5 processor 225F, you'll need a motherboard with an LGA 1851 socket and a compatible 800-series chipset.

Motherboards for Intel processors are made with chipsets provided by Intel. Each chipset offers a unique set of capabilities. However, motherboards must explicitly support features and capabilities for you to use them. Verify that a motherboard supports the features and capabilities you desire.

The lack of a "K" suffix in the model name 225F means it doesn't support overclocking. Because of this, you may not need to use the top of the line Z890-based motherboards that typically support overclocking. Instead, you can use a motherboard with Intel's other 800-series desktop chipsets (e.g., B860 or H810).

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The W880 and Q870 chipsets are intended for workstation and business use cases; their availability in stand-alone motherboards is limited.

For a detailed comparison of these chipsets, check out my article Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core Ultra 5 processor 225F?.

Check out out Recommended Motherboards for the 15th Gen 225F below.

Other Considerations When Choosing a 225F Motherboard

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When choosing a motherboard for the 225F, we considered several key factors beyond socket type and chipset compatibility. These include form factor, expandability, power delivery, and features like USB ports, audio quality, and Wi-Fi support. By focusing on these elements, you can identify what matters most for your specific needs and ensure an optimal, future-proof setup.

Memory Overclocking

To overclock DDR memory via an XMP profile, your motherboard chipset must support memory overclocking. Find which chipsets support overclocking in our article, Which Chipsets Work With Intel's Core Ultra 5 processor 225F?.

Video Output Port

The "F" in the 225F model name indicates the CPU lacks integrated graphics and requires a separate graphics card. Since there's no integrated graphics support, you won't need a motherboard with a video output port (e.g., HDMI).

Storage: M.2 Slots and SATA Ports

NVMe M.2 cards are the latest and fastest SSD storage form. We recommend ensuring your motherboard includes enough slots for your needs.

The Z890, H870, and W880 chipsets support PCIe 5.0/4.0 hybrid configurations, with Z890 motherboards providing 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes + 20 PCIe 5.0 lanes for up to six x4 NVMe M.2 slots.

Learn more about storage types in our article Storage Type Comparison: M.2, U.2, NVMe, SATA, SSDs, HDDs.

Connectivity

USB

Ensure the motherboard provides enough USB ports at your desired speeds. The Z890 and W880 chipsets support the most USB ports for the 225F, including 5 USB 3.2 20 Gbps ports, 10 USB 3.2 10 Gbps ports, and 10 USB 2.0 5 Gbps ports, plus native Thunderbolt 4/USB4 connectivity.

High-bandwidth devices typically fall into two categories: storage devices and high-resolution video equipment. These devices depend on high-speed data transfer for optimal performance. In our testing, we've encountered instances where insufficient bandwidth significantly impeded performance, particularly when working with large data transfers and high-resolution video editing.

Audio

When choosing a motherboard, prioritize one with physical audio ports if sound quality matters to you. Look for color-coded 3.5mm jacks (green for front speakers, black for rear, orange for center/subwoofer) to ensure proper connections for surround sound systems.

If you're using a soundbar or AV receiver, we recommend selecting a motherboard with an optical (S/PDIF) port. It provides cleaner audio by avoiding electrical noise, which makes a noticeable difference in sound quality.

While built-in audio quality isn't the most critical factor, choose a motherboard with a high-quality audio codec if you're using high-end headphones. It can reduce background noise, especially at higher volumes. If the motherboard's audio doesn't meet your standards, consider an external audio solution like a USB DAC as a reliable backup. It's an affordable way to bypass onboard limitations and improve sound quality for both desktops and laptops.

Choose a motherboard whose ports are compatible with your current equipment to avoid costly upgrades in the future.

Form Factor

When it comes to motherboards, we've encountered three primary form factors. In our experience, ATX stands out as the most common for desktop PCs. We've also explored Mini-ITX and MicroATX for building mini-PCs, and found they typically offer fewer PCIe slots, RAM slots, and storage support.

We've observed that these smaller form factors are backward compatible with standard ATX cases, using a subset of their mounting holes. In fact, we've frequently used Mini-ITX motherboards in ATX cases.

One crucial consideration is ensuring your case matches your motherboard's form factor. We've learned from experience how important it is to choose a case that aligns with your motherboard's specific needs.

PCIe Expansion Slots

The Z890, W880, and Q870 chipsets provide the most flexibility when paired with the 225F, supporting dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots (x8/x8 bifurcation) and three PCIe 4.0 x4 slots for multi-GPU and expansion card configurations.

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Best Feature Motherboard: Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Elite Wifi7

  • Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Core Ultra 5 225F is the Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Elite Wifi7.

  • Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Elite Wifi7
    Max PCIe Version: 5.0
    Max RAM: 256 GB DDR5
    NVMe slots: 4
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Elite Wifi7 motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 5.0 x16 GPU support and PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe connectivity, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates, giving you a competitive edge. The motherboard's support for up to 256 GB DDR5-9200 (OC) memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance. This motherboard has the Z890 chipset.

  • We found that the Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Elite Wifi7 motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, while Wi-Fi 7 technology provides 40 Gbps wireless speeds for low-latency gaming. Plus, Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) support allows 8K display output and high-speed peripheral connectivity.

  • We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Elite Wifi7. It features 4 M.2 slots (1x PCIe 5.0 + 3x PCIe 4.0) for multi-terabyte NVMe storage configurations. Its 16+1+2 phase VRM with 80A power stages ensures stable overclocking performance.

  • Overall, we concluded that the Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Elite Wifi7 motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional enthusiast experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for users looking to maximize Intel's 15th Gen architecture.

Runner-Up Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming B860M-Plus WiFi

  • Our recommended runner-up motherboard to pair with the Core Ultra 5 225F is the ASUS TUF Gaming B860M-Plus WiFi.

  • ASUS TUF Gaming B860M-Plus WiFi
    Max PCIe Version: 5.0
    Max RAM: 256 GB DDR5
    NVMe slots: 3
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS TUF Gaming B860M-Plus WiFi motherboard offers military-grade durability with 12+1+2+1 80A power stages for ultra-stable power delivery for CPUs. The LGA 1851 socket ensures compatibility with next-gen processors while supporting DDR5-8800+ overclocked memory for peak performance.

  • We found that the ASUS TUF Gaming B860M-Plus WiFi excels in next-gen connectivity with cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 (2.9 Gbps) and Bluetooth 5.4 support. Its PCIe 5.0 x16 slot delivers maximum graphics bandwidth, while three M.2 slots (1x PCIe 5.0, 2x PCIe 4.0) provide blazing-fast storage options. The USB 20 Gbps Type-C port with DisplayPort support enhances peripheral connectivity.

  • We also appreciated the robust thermal design featuring comprehensive VRM cooling and reinforced PCIe slots. The motherboard's front-panel USB 10 Gbps header and 2.5 Gb Ethernet ensure high-speed wired connections, while military-grade components guarantee long-term reliability for intensive gaming sessions.

  • Overall, we concluded that the ASUS TUF Gaming B860M-Plus WiFi delivers exceptional value with future-ready features. Its combination of premium power delivery, cutting-edge connectivity, and TUF durability makes it an ideal foundation for high-performance gaming rigs.

Best Value Motherboard

  • Our recommended Value motherboard to pair with the Core Ultra 5 225F is the ASUS Prime H810M-A WiFi.

  • ASUS Prime H810M-A WiFi
    Max PCIe Version: 4.0
    Max RAM: 128 GB DDR5
    NVMe slots: 2
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS Prime H810M-A WiFi motherboard offers an impressive range of features for next-gen systems. With PCIe 4.0 support and DDR5-6400 compatibility, this board delivers modern performance at a accessible price point. The LGA 1851 socket ensures compatibility, while the H810 chipset provides essential features for mainstream users.

  • We found that the ASUS Prime H810M-A WiFi delivers excellent connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless peripherals. Its 2.5 GHz Ethernet port enables high-speed wired connections, while the USB 5 Gbps Type-C port offers modern device compatibility. The dual M.2 slots (one PCIe 4.0 x4 and one x2) provide flexible storage options alongside four SATA 6 Gb/s ports.

  • The motherboard's dual-channel DDR5 architecture supports up to 6400 MHz speeds, offering better future-proofing than DDR4 systems while maintaining value. While it doesn't include PCIe 5.0, the PCIe 4.0 x16 slot still provides ample bandwidth for current GPUs.

  • Overall, we concluded that the ASUS Prime H810M-A WiFi strikes an ideal balance between next-gen features and affordability. With its combination of DDR5 support, modern connectivity options, and Intel's latest socket compatibility, this motherboard represents excellent value for mainstream users building with Core Ultra processors.

Learn More About the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F

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