Core Ultra 5 238V vs Core Ultra 5 226V

Core Ultra 5 238V

8 Cores8 Thrd17 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2024

Core Ultra 5 226V

8 Cores8 Thrd17 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2024

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core Ultra 5 238V

8 / 8

18,219

0.0%

18,400

+1.0%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 238V

#158

Core i9-13900H

MSRP: $617|Avg: N/A

111%

#161

Core Ultra 7 268V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

109%

#162

Core Ultra 7 256V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $350

108%

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

105%

#169

Core i7-1280P

MSRP: $482|Avg: $482

104%

#173

Core Ultra 5 238V

MSRP: $454|Avg: $454

100%

#176

Core i9-13900HK

MSRP: $697|Avg: N/A

97%

#178

Core i7-1360P

MSRP: $480|Avg: $280

96%

#179

Core i7-1260P

MSRP: $432|Avg: $432

96%

#184

Core Ultra 7 266V

MSRP: $520|Avg: $520

92%

#185

Ryzen 7 5825C

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

91%

#187

Core Ultra 9 288V

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

84%

#188

Core i7-10870H

MSRP: $417|Avg: N/A

84%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 226V

#82

Core i7-11700B

MSRP: $323|Avg: $311

109%

#83

Core i7-13700HX

MSRP: $485|Avg: N/A

108%

#86

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

107%

#96

Ryzen AI Max PRO 380

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

100%

#97

Core Ultra 5 226V

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

100%

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

96%

#102

Core i3-1220P

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

95%

#107

Core Ultra 5 228V

MSRP: $295|Avg: $295

94%

#111

Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $180

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core Ultra 5 238V delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core Ultra 5 226V in both compute-intensive tasks (1% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core Ultra 5 238V	Core Ultra 5 226V
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($454)	✅ More affordable ($300)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Lunar Lake (2024) / 3 nm)	✨ Modern (Lunar Lake (2024) / 3 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: The Core Ultra 5 226V offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $300 (vs $454), it costs 34% less. While offering competitive performance, it results in a 53% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core Ultra 5 238V.

Insight	Core Ultra 5 238V	Core Ultra 5 226V
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+53%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($454)	✅ More affordable ($300)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core Ultra 5 238V Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 5 226V Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 238V and Core Ultra 5 226V

Core Ultra 5 238V

The Core Ultra 5 238V 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: 18,219 points. Launch price was $299.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core Ultra 5 238V and Core Ultra 5 226V share an identical 8-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 238V versus 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 226V — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 238V (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 238V scores 18,219 against the Core Ultra 5 226V's 18,400 — a 1% lead for the Core Ultra 5 226V. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 10,000 vs 9,041 (10.1% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 238V). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,683 vs 1,962, a 31% lead for the Core Ultra 5 238V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,130 vs 1,898 (136.9% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 238V). Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Core Ultra 5 226V
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+4%	4.5 GHz
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	18,219	18,400
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,000+11%	9,041
Geekbench 6 Single	2,683+37%	1,962
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,130+434%	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA2833 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to LPDDR5x-8533 memory speed. The Core Ultra 5 238V supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 8 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core Ultra 5 238V) and SoC (Core Ultra 5 226V).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Core Ultra 5 226V
Socket	FCBGA2833	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5x-8533	LPDDR5X-8533
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	8	8

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core Ultra 5 226V supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Arc Graphics 130V (Core Ultra 5 238V) and Arc 130V (Core Ultra 5 226V) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 238V targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 238V rivals Ryzen 5 8640U.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Core Ultra 5 226V
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Arc Graphics 130V	Arc 130V
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Productivity	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core Ultra 5 238V launched at $454 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 5 226V debuted at $300. At current prices ($454 vs $300), the Core Ultra 5 226V is $154 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 238V delivers 40.1 pts/$ vs 61.3 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 226V — making the Core Ultra 5 226V the 41.8% better value option.