Core Ultra 5 238V vs Ryzen 5 8540U

Core Ultra 5 238V vs Ryzen 5 8540U Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 5 238V

8 / 8

18,219

0.0%

18,359

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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.

Core Ultra 5 238V vs Ryzen 5 8540U 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 238V vs Ryzen 5 8540U: 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 238V

2024

Why buy it

✅+1.8% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Draws 17W instead of 28W, a 11W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 8540U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $454 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 8540U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Ryzen 5 8540U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).
✅75% more PCIe lanes (14 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,823 vs 10,000).
❌64.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 238V better than Ryzen 5 8540U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 8540U is ahead with a 10.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 238V pulls ahead with 1.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 5 8540U also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (16 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 238V is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 238V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 238V comes in at an unclear MSRP at $454 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 8540U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (40.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 238V 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 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 238V vs Ryzen 5 8540U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Ryzen 5 8540U

The Ryzen 5 8540U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-U (Zen 4 + Zen 4c) (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,359 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 238V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 8540U offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 5 238V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 238V versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 8540U — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 8540U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 238V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 5 8540U uses Hawk Point-U (Zen 4 + Zen 4c) (2023−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 238V scores 18,219 against the Ryzen 5 8540U's 18,359 — a 0.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 8540U. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 10,000 vs 9,823 (1.8% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 238V). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,683 vs 2,504, a 6.9% lead for the Core Ultra 5 238V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,130 vs 9,280 (8.8% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 238V). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 238V vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8540U.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Ryzen 5 8540U
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.9 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+52%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)+150%	1 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm-25%	4 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	Hawk Point-U (Zen 4 + Zen 4c) (2023−2025)
PassMark	18,219	18,359
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,000+2%	9,823
Geekbench 6 Single	2,683+7%	2,504
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,130+9%	9,280

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 238V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 8540U uses FP7 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5x-8533 on the Core Ultra 5 238V versus DDR5-5600, LPDDR5x-7500 on the Ryzen 5 8540U — the Core Ultra 5 238V supports 52.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 8540U supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Core Ultra 5 238V) vs 14 (Ryzen 5 8540U) — the Ryzen 5 8540U offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core Ultra 5 238V) and SoC (Ryzen 5 8540U).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Ryzen 5 8540U
Socket	FCBGA2833	FP7
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5x-8533+52%	DDR5-5600, LPDDR5x-7500
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	256 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	14+75%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Ryzen 5 8540U supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 238V) vs AMD-V (SVM) (Ryzen 5 8540U). Both include integrated graphics — Arc Graphics 130V (Core Ultra 5 238V) and Radeon 740M (Ryzen 5 8540U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 238V targets Productivity, Ryzen 5 8540U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 238V rivals Ryzen 5 8640U; Ryzen 5 8540U rivals Core i5-1335U.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 238V	Ryzen 5 8540U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Arc Graphics 130V	Radeon 740M
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V (SVM)
Target Use	Productivity	Productivity