Core Ultra 7 258V vs Core Ultra 7 266V

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 7 258V vs Core Ultra 7 266V 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 7 258V vs Core Ultra 7 266V: 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 7 258V

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $70 less on MSRP ($450 MSRP vs $520 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.1 vs 37.1 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $520 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc 140V, while Core Ultra 7 266V needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 266V across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,947 vs 19,274).

Core Ultra 7 266V

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.1 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($520 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 258V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 266V better than Core Ultra 7 258V?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 266V is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 266V is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 266V is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 266V is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core Ultra 7 266V comes in 15.6% more expensive on MSRP at $520 MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 7 258V only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 6.1% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core Ultra 7 266V 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 7 258V vs Core Ultra 7 266V Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 7 258V

The Core Ultra 7 258V 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 18,947 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 7 266V

The Core Ultra 7 266V 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 19,274 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core Ultra 7 258V and Core Ultra 7 266V share an identical 8-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 258V versus 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 266V — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 266V (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). Both are built on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture using a 3 nm process. In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 258V scores 18,947 against the Core Ultra 7 266V's 19,274 — a 1.7% lead for the Core Ultra 7 266V. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 258V	Core Ultra 7 266V
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 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	18,947	19,274+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,750	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,000	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA2833 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 258V	Core Ultra 7 266V
Socket	FCBGA2833	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5X-8533	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 258V) / not specified (Core Ultra 7 266V). The Core Ultra 7 258V includes integrated graphics (Arc 140V), while the Core Ultra 7 266V requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 258V targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 258V rivals Ryzen 7 8840U.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 258V	Core Ultra 7 266V
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Arc 140V	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 7 258V was priced at $450, while the Core Ultra 7 266V came in at $520. On launch pricing ($450 vs $520), Core Ultra 7 258V was $70 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 7 258V delivers 42.1 pts/$ vs 37.1 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 266V — making the Core Ultra 7 258V the 12.7% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 258V	Core Ultra 7 266V
MSRP	$450-13%	$520
Performance per Dollar	42.1+13%	37.1
Release Date	2024	2024

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