Core Ultra 7 266V vs Ryzen 5 6600HS

Intel

Core Ultra 7 266V

8 Cores8 Thrd17 WWMax: 5 GHz2024
Core Ultra family
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 6600HS

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2022
Ryzen family
······

Core Ultra 7 266V vs Ryzen 5 6600HS Performance Spectrum

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 7 266V vs Ryzen 5 6600HS 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 266V vs Ryzen 5 6600HS: 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 266V

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 17W instead of 35W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $520 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 6600HS mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Ryzen 5 6600HS

2022

Why buy it

  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 266V across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (18,975 vs 19,274).
  • 105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 266V better than Ryzen 5 6600HS?
Yes. Core Ultra 7 266V is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.6% 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 19.1% 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 1.6% 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 better buy right now. Core Ultra 7 266V comes in at an unclear MSRP at $520 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 266V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) 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 7 266V vs Ryzen 5 6600HS Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 6600HS

The Ryzen 5 6600HS is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Rembrandt-HS (Zen 3+) (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,975 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 266V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 6600HS offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 7 266V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 266V versus 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 6600HS — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 266V (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 266V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 5 6600HS uses Rembrandt-HS (Zen 3+) (2022) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 266V scores 19,274 against the Ryzen 5 6600HS's 18,975 — a 1.6% lead for the Core Ultra 7 266V. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 266V vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 6600HS.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 266VRyzen 5 6600HS
Cores / Threads
8 / 8+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
5 GHz+11%
4.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
3.3 GHz+50%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
2.5 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+20380%
Process
3 nm-50%
6 nm
Architecture
Lunar Lake (2024)
Rembrandt-HS (Zen 3+) (2022)
PassMark
19,274+2%
18,975
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 266V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 6600HS uses FP7 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 266VRyzen 5 6600HS
Socket
FCBGA2833
FP7
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0