Intel Arc G3 EXTREME vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235A Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall advantage for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A, which wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The single exception is the PassMark physics test, where the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME edges ahead by 3.2% with a score of 2515 against 2437.

The largest margin belongs to Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core Ultra 5 235A scores 4607 versus 1862 for the Arc G3 EXTREME, a 59.6% gap. Multi-core Cinebench R23 shows a 55.1% difference, with the desktop part reaching 32633 against 14655. The Core Ultra 5 235A also leads Cinebench R15 multi-core by 33.4% (3289 vs 2192) and single-core by 42.5% (464 vs 267).

In Cinebench R20, the Core Ultra 5 235A holds a 20.1% advantage in both multi-core (13705 vs 10945) and single-core (1934 vs 1545) runs. PassMark integer math shows the smaller multicore gap at 19.7% (88626 vs 71164), while PassMark multithread sits at a 20.1% difference (38392 vs 30659).

The Core Ultra 5 235A leads PassMark data compression by 22% (393800 vs 307094), data encryption by 20.8% (30136 vs 23881), and extended instructions by 24.1% (31625 vs 24017). Floating point math favors the desktop chip by 26.8% (118778 vs 86929), and find prime numbers by 36.7% (392 vs 248). Random string sorting shows a 24.6% edge (49489 vs 37331). The narrowest single-thread PassMark gap is 5.8%, with 4557 versus 4293.

The average benchmark score confirms the overall positioning: the Arc G3 EXTREME records an average of 36699, while the Core Ultra 5 235A averages 48201. The desktop part ranks in the 90th percentile among all CPUs in the database, compared to the 85th percentile for the mobile part. Relative to its nearest rivals, the Arc G3 EXTREME sits within 1.1% of the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, while the Core Ultra 5 235A is effectively level with the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 at a 0.1% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 14-core, 14-thread configuration and a 3 nm process node, but they diverge sharply in nearly every other architectural detail. The Arc G3 EXTREME uses the Panther Lake codename and is built by Intel's own foundry, while the Core Ultra 5 235A uses the Arrow Lake architecture, codename Arrow Lake-S, and is fabricated by TSMC. The desktop chip carries a transistor count of 17,800 million on a 243 mm² die, figures that are not recorded for the mobile part.

Cache hierarchies differ in the L2 and L3 levels. Both use 192 KB per core for L1, but the Arc G3 EXTREME has 2.5 MB per core of L2 and 18 MB shared L3, while the Core Ultra 5 235A has 3 MB per core of L2 and 24 MB shared L3. Clock speeds also favor the desktop chip, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost of 5.00 GHz against 1.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost.

Memory support separates the two platforms. The Arc G3 EXTREME uses LPDDR5X memory with dual-channel support and a recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, whereas the Core Ultra 5 235A uses DDR5, also dual-channel, with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe connectivity differs substantially: the mobile part provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes, while the desktop part provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the Arc G3 EXTREME carrying Arc B390 graphics and the Core Ultra 5 235A carrying Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU.

The socket and market positioning reflect their intended platforms. The Arc G3 EXTREME uses Intel BGA 2540 and targets mobile systems, while the Core Ultra 5 235A uses Intel Socket 1851 and targets desktop builds. The power envelope is a major differentiator: the Arc G3 EXTREME has a 25 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 5 235A has a 65 W TDP. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and ECC memory is not supported on either. The Core Ultra 5 235A carries a launch MSRP of $269, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Arc G3 EXTREME.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A wins 16 of the 17 recorded comparisons. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME wins only the PassMark physics test, with a 3.2% lead.

Q: How large is the single-core performance difference?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core Ultra 5 235A scores 4607 against 1862 for the Arc G3 EXTREME, a 59.6% gap. The PassMark single-thread gap is smaller at 5.8%, with scores of 4557 and 4293.

Q: Do both processors have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 14 cores and 14 threads. They differ in cache sizes, clocks, memory support, and power envelope.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME records 136.5 GB/s with LPDDR5X memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235A records 102.4 GB/s with DDR5 memory. Both use dual-channel configurations.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME averages 36699, while the Core Ultra 5 235A averages 48201. The desktop part also ranks higher in the database at the 90th percentile versus 85th.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235A boosts to 5.00 GHz, compared to 4.70 GHz for the Arc G3 EXTREME. The base clocks are 3.40 GHz and 1.90 GHz, respectively.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A as the stronger processor across nearly every measured workload. Its wins span Cinebench multi-core and single-core, PassMark math, encryption, compression, and sorting tests. The margins range from 5.8% in PassMark single-thread to 59.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core. Its average benchmark score is 31% higher than the Arc G3 EXTREME, and it sits five percentile points higher in the overall CPU ranking.

The Arc G3 EXTREME does not post a single meaningful performance win outside of the 3.2% PassMark physics result. Its lower TDP of 25 W versus 65 W indicates a fundamentally different power class, and its mobile socket and LPDDR5X memory support confirm that it is designed for a different physical platform. The Core Ultra 5 235A, with its higher clocks, larger caches, and desktop socket, is the clear choice for raw compute performance based on the recorded data.

The only area where the Arc G3 EXTREME shows a structural advantage is memory bandwidth, where its LPDDR5X configuration records 136.5 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. That advantage does not translate into any benchmark win in the recorded data. Users who need maximum processing throughput across the suite of tested workloads should select the Core Ultra 5 235A.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Arc G3 EXTREME | Intel Core Ultra 5 235A |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Series | null | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 25 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2540 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | null | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Panther Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Generation | Arc G3 (Panther Lake) | Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | null | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | null | 243 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 18 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 136.5 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc B390 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2026-05-27 | 2025-07-28 |

| Launch MSRP | null | $269 |

| Part Number | SA4R3 | SRWPN |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A wins in every multi-threaded rendering test, including Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, with margins from 20.1% to 55.1%. It also dominates all PassMark compute workloads except physics, including integer math, floating point math, encryption, compression, extended instructions, prime number finding, and random string sorting.

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME wins only the PassMark physics test, with a 3.2% margin. Its recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s is higher than the desktop chip's 102.4 GB/s, and its 25 W TDP indicates a lower power draw, though no power consumption measurements are recorded in the database. Its mobile socket and LPDDR5X support position it for compact systems, while the Core Ultra 5 235A, with its 20-lane Gen 5 PCIe and desktop socket, suits full-size platforms. For any workload in the recorded benchmark suite other than PassMark physics, the Core Ultra 5 235A delivers the higher score.