Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 230

Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 230 Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 9 288V

8 / 8

20,280

+0.5%

20,186

0.0%

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 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 230 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 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 230: 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 9 288V

2024

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc 140V, while Ryzen 5 230 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.8 vs 100.9 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 230

2025

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $400 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
✅Delivers 198.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.9 vs 33.8 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
✅Draws 28W instead of 30W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,186 vs 20,280).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 9 288V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 9 288V better than Ryzen 5 230?

Yes. Core Ultra 9 288V is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 9 288V is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% 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 9 288V is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core Ultra 9 288V is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core Ultra 9 288V comes in 200.0% more expensive on MSRP at $600 MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 230 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 2.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Ryzen 5 230 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 230 Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 9 288V

The Core Ultra 9 288V 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 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): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,280 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 230

The Ryzen 5 230 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 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: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,186 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 9 288V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 230 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 9 288V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 230 — a 4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 5 230 uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 9 288V scores 20,280 against the Ryzen 5 230's 20,186 — a 0.5% lead for the Core Ultra 9 288V. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 288V vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 230.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Ryzen 5 230
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+4%	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)+150%	1 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm-25%	4 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	Hawk Point (2024−2025)
PassMark	20,280	20,186
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,300	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,800	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,000	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 230 uses FP8 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Ryzen 5 230
Socket	FCBGA2833	FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5X-8533	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core Ultra 9 288V) / not specified (Ryzen 5 230). The Core Ultra 9 288V includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 140V), while the Ryzen 5 230 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Ryzen 5 230
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel Arc 140V	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 9 288V was priced at $600, while the Ryzen 5 230 came in at $200. On launch pricing ($600 vs $200), Ryzen 5 230 was $400 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 9 288V delivers 33.8 pts/$ vs 100.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 230 — making the Ryzen 5 230 the 99.7% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Ryzen 5 230
MSRP	$600	$200-67%
Performance per Dollar	33.8	100.9+199%
Release Date	2024	2025

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