Core Ultra 5 228V vs Core Ultra 7 165U

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 228V vs Core Ultra 7 165U 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 228V vs Core Ultra 7 165U: 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 228V

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 165U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $295 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 165U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core Ultra 7 165U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (10,000 vs 10,053).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 228V better than Core Ultra 7 165U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 165U is ahead with a 13.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 228V pulls ahead with 0.5% better Geekbench multi-core. Core Ultra 7 165U also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 228V is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 228V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 228V comes in at an unclear MSRP at $295 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core Ultra 7 165U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (57.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 228V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 12/14. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 228V vs Core Ultra 7 165U Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 5 228V

The Core Ultra 5 228V 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: 16,955 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 7 165U

The Core Ultra 7 165U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,857 points. Launch price was $448.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 228V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 165U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 165U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 228V versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 165U — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 165U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 228V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 165U uses Meteor Lake-P (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 228V scores 16,955 against the Core Ultra 7 165U's 16,857 — a 0.6% lead for the Core Ultra 5 228V. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,585 vs 2,350, a 9.5% lead for the Core Ultra 5 228V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,053 vs 10,000 (0.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 228V). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 228V vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 165U.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 228V	Core Ultra 7 165U
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	12 / 14+50%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.9 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+24%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)+25%	2 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	Meteor Lake-P (2023)
PassMark	16,955	16,857
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,932	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,585+10%	2,350
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,053	10,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 228V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 165U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5X-8533 on the Core Ultra 5 228V versus DDR5-5600 on the Core Ultra 7 165U — the Core Ultra 5 228V supports 52.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 7 165U supports up to 96 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 200% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Core Ultra 5 228V) vs 20 (Core Ultra 7 165U) — the Core Ultra 7 165U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core Ultra 5 228V) and SoC (Core Ultra 7 165U).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 228V	Core Ultra 7 165U
Socket	FCBGA2833	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5X-8533+52%	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	96 GB+200%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	20+150%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core Ultra 5 228V) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 165U). Both include integrated graphics — Arc 130V (Core Ultra 5 228V) and Intel Arc Graphics (Core Ultra 7 165U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 165U targets Premium Laptop.