Core Ultra 5 226V vs Core Ultra 5 236V

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core Ultra 5 226V vs Core Ultra 5 236V FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core Ultra 5 226V vs Core Ultra 5 236V: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core Ultra 5 226V

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc 130V, while Core Ultra 5 236V needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 236V mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core Ultra 5 236V

2024

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (18,313 vs 18,400).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 226V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 226V better than Core Ultra 5 236V?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 236V is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 226V pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 226V is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core Ultra 5 226V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 226V comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core Ultra 5 236V is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (61.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 226V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core Ultra 5 226V vs Core Ultra 5 236V Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core Ultra 5 226V

The Core Ultra 5 226V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,400 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 5 236V

The Core Ultra 5 236V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,313 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core Ultra 5 226V and Core Ultra 5 236V share an identical 8-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 226V versus 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 236V — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 236V (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). Both are built on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture using a 3 nm process. In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 226V scores 18,400 against the Core Ultra 5 236V's 18,313 — a 0.5% lead for the Core Ultra 5 226V. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 226V	Core Ultra 5 236V
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.7 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)	2.5 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm	3 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	18,400	18,313
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,041	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,962	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,898	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA2833 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 226V	Core Ultra 5 236V
Socket	FCBGA2833	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5X-8533	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 226V) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 236V). The Core Ultra 5 226V includes integrated graphics (Arc 130V), while the Core Ultra 5 236V requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 226V	Core Ultra 5 236V
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Arc 130V	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 5 226V was priced at $300, while the Core Ultra 5 236V came in at $0. On launch pricing ($300 vs $0), Core Ultra 5 236V was $300 cheaper.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 226V	Core Ultra 5 236V
MSRP	$300	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	61.3	—
Release Date	2024	2024

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