Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 8640U

Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 8640U Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 9 288V

8 / 8

20,280

0.0%

20,274

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

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 8640U 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 8640U: 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

✅+11.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,300 vs 10,675).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $600 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 8640U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Ryzen 5 8640U

2023

Why buy it

✅+14.8% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 30W, a 2W reduction.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,519 vs 2,800).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 9 288V better than Ryzen 5 8640U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 9 288V is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 8640U pulls ahead with 14.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 5 8640U also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 8640U is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core Ultra 9 288V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 9 288V comes in at an unclear MSRP at $600 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 8640U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 14.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (33.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 9 288V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 8640U 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 8640U

The Ryzen 5 8640U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) 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: 20,274 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 9 288V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 8640U 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 8640U — 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 8640U uses Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 9 288V scores 20,280 against the Ryzen 5 8640U's 20,274 — a 0% lead for the Core Ultra 9 288V. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 9,300 vs 10,675 (13.8% advantage for the Ryzen 5 8640U). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,800 vs 2,519, a 10.6% lead for the Core Ultra 9 288V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,000 vs 10,308 (3% advantage for the Ryzen 5 8640U). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 288V vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8640U.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Ryzen 5 8640U
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-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025)
PassMark	20,280	20,274
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,300	10,675+15%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,800+11%	2,519
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,000	10,308+3%

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 8640U uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5X-8533 on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus LPDDR5x-7500 on the Ryzen 5 8640U — the Core Ultra 9 288V supports 13.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 8640U 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 9 288V) vs 20 (Ryzen 5 8640U) — the Ryzen 5 8640U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core Ultra 9 288V) and SoC (Ryzen 5 8640U).

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Ryzen 5 8640U
Socket	FCBGA2833	FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5X-8533+14%	LPDDR5x-7500
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	256 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	8	20+150%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 8640U supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core Ultra 9 288V) vs AMD-V (SVM) (Ryzen 5 8640U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Arc 140V (Core Ultra 9 288V) and Radeon 760M (Ryzen 5 8640U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 8640U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 8640U rivals Core i5-1335U.