Intel Core 5 223PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 238V Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly along workload lines. The Intel Core 5 223PE wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V takes exactly one. That single victory is in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the Ultra 5 scores 174 against the Core 5's 159, a margin of 8.6%. It is a narrow win, but it is the only case in the entire dataset where the mobile chip leads.

Every Cinebench result favors the Core 5 223PE. This includes both single-core and multi-core runs across R15, R20, and R23. The margins are consistent at roughly 69%, which suggests a structural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. PassMark results follow the same pattern for data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests.

The distribution of wins indicates that the Core 5 223PE is the stronger processor for general compute, rendering, and data-heavy tasks. The Ultra 5 238V has no multi-core wins and no single-core wins outside the prime number test. Its edge in that one test points to a specific instruction path or memory pattern, not a general performance lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families. The Core 5 223PE is a Bartlett Lake desktop part built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 5 238V is a Lunar Lake mobile part built on TSMC's 3 nm process. That process gap is significant: the Ultra 5 uses a newer, denser node, yet it trails in nearly every measured workload.

Core counts match at 8 cores, but threading does not. The Core 5 223PE supports 16 threads, the Ultra 5 238V only 8. The Core 5 also boosts to 5.20 GHz with a 2.90 GHz base clock, compared to 4.70 GHz and 2.10 GHz for the Ultra 5. Cache layouts diverge as well. The Core 5 uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of shared L3. Larger L3 on the desktop part likely contributes to its lead in data-heavy tests.

The memory subsystem differs too. The Core 5 223PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel access and 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Ultra 5 238V also uses dual-channel memory, but its bandwidth is not recorded in the database. The Ultra 5's PCIe connectivity is limited to 4 CPU lanes at Gen 5, while the Core 5 provides 16 CPU lanes at Gen 5. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5, not on the Ultra 5.

The integrated graphics tell the opposite story. The Ultra 5 238V ships with Arc 130V, while the Core 5 223PE has UHD Graphics 730. No graphics benchmarks are recorded, so the data cannot quantify this difference, but the product positioning is clear: the Ultra 5 is a mobile processor with a more capable integrated GPU, while the Core 5 is a desktop part focused on CPU performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single delta in the dataset is PassMark integer math. The Core 5 223PE scores 99,819, the Ultra 5 238V scores 38,889, and the Core 5 leads by 156.7%. That is more than double the score, and it reflects the combined effect of higher clocks, twice the thread count, and a much larger L3 cache.

Data compression shows the second-largest gap. The Core 5 223PE records 346,623 against 176,532 for the Ultra 5, a 96.4% lead. This test is sensitive to memory bandwidth and cache capacity, both of which favor the desktop part. The Core 5's 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth and 24 MB of L3 are likely factors here.

The Cinebench suite produces uniform results. In R15, the Core 5 223PE scores 2,666 multi-core and 376 single-core, against 1,576 and 222 for the Ultra 5, deltas of 69.2% and 69.4%. R20 shows 11,111 versus 6,570 multi-core and 1,568 versus 927 single-core, both at 69.1%. R23 repeats the pattern with 26,455 versus 15,645 multi-core and 3,734 versus 2,208 single-core, again at 69.1%. The consistency across all three Cinebench versions strengthens the conclusion that the Core 5 has a stable performance advantage for rendering workloads.

PassMark multithread delivers 31,124 for the Core 5 and 18,407 for the Ultra 5, a 69.1% lead that mirrors the Cinebench multi-core deltas. Physics follows at 2,493 versus 1,546, a 61.3% gap. Floating point math shows 76,468 against 53,160, a 43.8% lead. Extended instructions measure 24,672 versus 15,377, a 60.4% gap. Encryption records 18,448 versus 13,072, a 41.1% lead. Random string sorting completes the list at 35,798 versus 21,585, a 65.8% gap.

Single-thread performance is the closest category outside the prime number test. The Core 5 223PE scores 4,219 in PassMark single-thread, the Ultra 5 238V scores 3,890, and the lead shrinks to 8.5%. This is still a win for the Core 5, but the margin is small compared to the multi-core and math gaps. The Ultra 5's higher L1 cache per core and newer process node may narrow the per-thread gap, but they do not close it.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only fields where the two processors differ.

| Field | Intel Core 5 223PE | Intel Core Ultra 5 238V |

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

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Ultra 5 (Lunar Lake) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 24 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | Unknown, depends on motherboard |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 4 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc 130V |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2026-03-08 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | Not recorded |

| Part number | SA4QF | SRPN5SRPN4 |

The TDP difference is stark. The Core 5 223PE draws up to 65 W, the Ultra 5 238V just 17 W. The desktop part uses more power but delivers far higher performance in nearly every test. The Ultra 5's lower power envelope and mobile socket make it suited to systems where thermals and battery life matter more than raw throughput.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE scores 26,455, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V scores 15,645. The Core 5 leads by 69.1%.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark find prime numbers with 174 against 159 for the Core 5 223PE, a margin of 8.6%. That is the only recorded win for the Ultra 5.

Q: How do the thread counts compare?

A: The Core 5 223PE has 16 threads, while the Ultra 5 238V has 8 threads. Both have 8 cores.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The Core 5 223PE has 24 MB of shared L3, while the Ultra 5 238V has 8 MB of shared L3.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core 5 223PE supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 5 238V does not.

Q: What is the single-thread performance gap?

A: In PassMark single-thread, the Core 5 223PE scores 4,219 and the Ultra 5 238V scores 3,890. The Core 5 leads by 8.5%.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 5 223PE is the stronger processor in 16 of 17 benchmarks, with leads ranging from 8.5% in single-thread work to 156.7% in integer math. It carries twice the thread count, a much larger L3 cache, higher clock speeds, and more PCIe lanes. It also supports ECC memory and DDR4 or DDR5 modules. The launch MSRP is $232.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is the more efficient option on paper. Its 17 W TDP is far below the Core 5's 65 W, and it uses a 3 nm TSMC process rather than Intel's 10 nm node. Its Arc 130V integrated graphics are more capable than the UHD Graphics 730 in the Core 5, at least by product positioning. But the benchmark data shows no general compute advantage. The Ultra 5 wins only the prime number test, and its average benchmark score sits at 21,981, well below the Core 5's 40,585.

The percentile ranking reflects the same gap. The Core 5 223PE sits in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra 5 238V sits in the 75th. The Core 5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core 7 253PE, the Intel Xeon 6357P, the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G, all within 0.3% of its average score. The Ultra 5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-11700F, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V, and the AMD EPYC 9534, all within 0.4%.

For desktop workloads that demand throughput, the Core 5 223PE is the clear choice based on the data. For mobile systems where power draw and integrated graphics matter, the Ultra 5 238V has a purpose, but the benchmark records do not show it matching the Core 5 in raw compute. The choice between them is a choice between performance and efficiency, not a close contest in either direction.