Intel Core 5 330 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 5 330 and Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL serve different segments of the mobile and desktop markets, and the recorded data separates them clearly. The Core 5 330 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor built on Intel's 3 nm process with Wildcat Lake architecture, and it carries an average benchmark score of 18345, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. The Core Ultra 5 135UL offers 12 cores and 14 threads on a 7 nm Meteor Lake-PS design, but it sits in the 50th percentile with no recorded benchmark scores in the database.

The Core 5 330 is the pick for single-threaded workloads and general responsiveness. Its boost clock reaches 4.60 GHz, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1856 demonstrates strong per-thread performance. The Core Ultra 5 135UL tops out at 4.40 GHz and, while it has more cores, the absence of benchmark data means its real-world standing cannot be quantified from the database.

The Core Ultra 5 135UL is the pick for multi-threaded throughput and memory bandwidth. It has 12 cores versus 6, 14 threads versus 6, a dual-channel memory bus versus single-channel, and 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth versus 59.7 GB/s. It also carries 12 MB of shared L3 cache versus 6 MB. For workloads that scale with core count and memory parallelism, the 135UL's specifications point toward an advantage, though no direct benchmark scores confirm this in the database.

The Core 5 330 targets mobile systems with an Intel BGA 1516 socket, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL targets desktop systems with an Intel Socket 1851. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not available on either part. The Core 5 330 launched at $309 MSRP, and the Core Ultra 5 135UL launched at $331 MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and manufacturing nodes. The Core 5 330 uses Wildcat Lake architecture on a 3 nm process, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL uses Meteor Lake architecture on a 7 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the node difference is significant: the 3 nm process is denser and newer than the 7 nm process.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyperthreading or equivalent simultaneous multithreading. The Core Ultra 5 135UL has 12 cores and 14 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement where some cores add extra threads. This gives the 135UL a 2x core advantage and a 2.33x thread advantage.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 5 330 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 135UL has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The 135UL's per-core L2 allocation is larger, and its shared L3 is double the 330's.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 135UL supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The 135UL's dual-channel configuration provides 50% more theoretical bandwidth.

PCIe connectivity differs. The Core 5 330 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 135UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The 135UL offers two additional Gen 4 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ between the two. The Core 5 330 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Core Ultra 5 135UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics. The 135UL's Arc graphics with 64 execution units is a larger GPU configuration than the 330's 2 Xe core design.

The Core 5 330 uses an Intel BGA 1516 socket, indicating a soldered mobile design. The Core Ultra 5 135UL uses an Intel Socket 1851, a desktop socket. The 135UL's market segment is listed as Desktop, while the 330 is listed as Mobile.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data for the Core 5 330 shows clear strengths in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 186, R20 single-core score of 779, and R23 single-core score of 1856 all reflect a processor with high per-core performance. The PassMark single-thread score of 4088 reinforces this, and the data encryption score of 11076 indicates solid cryptographic throughput.

The Core 5 330 also performs well in integer and floating-point math. Its PassMark integer math score is 33258, and its floating-point math score is 43885. The extended instructions score of 12808 shows capable SIMD and vector processing. The data compression score of 145287 is the highest single benchmark in its recorded set.

The Core Ultra 5 135UL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so its wins must be inferred from specifications. Its 12-core, 14-thread configuration gives it a structural advantage in heavily parallel workloads. The dual-channel memory bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth support memory-intensive tasks. The 12 MB shared L3 cache provides more on-die data capacity for workloads with large working sets.

The Core 5 330's 4.60 GHz boost clock gives it a 0.20 GHz advantage over the 135UL's 4.40 GHz boost clock. For single-threaded responsiveness, the 330 is the better choice based on measured data. The 135UL's higher base clock of 1.60 GHz versus 1.50 GHz is a minor advantage in sustained all-core operation, but the 330's boost headroom is larger.

The Core 5 330's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i3-14100 with an average score of 18318 and a delta of 0.1%, the Intel Core 7 360 with an average score of 18374 and a delta of -0.2%, and the Intel Core i3-13100 with an average score of 18380 and a delta of -0.2%. The Core 5 330's average score of 18345 sits essentially level with these parts, within 0.2% either direction. This places it in a competitive performance band for its class.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The 135UL has double the core count and more than double the thread count.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL boosts to 4.40 GHz. The 330 has a 0.20 GHz higher boost clock.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL has a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 330 has a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The 135UL offers 29.9 GB/s more theoretical bandwidth.

Q: Does the Core 5 330 support ECC memory?

A: No, the Intel Core 5 330 does not support ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL also does not support ECC memory.

Q: What sockets do these processors use?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 uses an Intel BGA 1516 socket and is a mobile processor. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL uses an Intel Socket 1851 and is a desktop processor.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 has an average benchmark score of 18345 and sits in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL has no recorded benchmark score and sits in the 50th percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark results between the Intel Core 5 330 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL. The Core 5 330 has a full set of recorded scores, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL has no benchmark entries. As a result, direct comparisons must rely on the 330's measured results and the 135UL's specifications.

The Core 5 330's Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 13150, and its single-core score is 1856. The ratio between these scores, approximately 7.1 to 1, shows that the 6-core processor scales reasonably across all cores. The R20 multi-core score of 5523 and single-core score of 779 follow a similar pattern. The R15 multi-core score of 1325 and single-core score of 186 reflect the same behavior.

PassMark results for the Core 5 330 show a multi-thread score of 15471 and a single-thread score of 4088. The data compression score of 145287 and random string sorting score of 17771 indicate strong memory-related throughput. The find prime numbers score of 114 is the lowest recorded result, showing a relative weakness in this specific integer workload.

The Core Ultra 5 135UL's specifications suggest it would compete in multi-threaded scenarios. With 12 cores and 14 threads, its multi-thread capacity is structurally higher than the 330's 6 threads. The dual-channel memory bus and 12 MB L3 cache support this interpretation. However, without benchmark scores, the magnitude of any advantage cannot be quantified from the database.

The Core 5 330's nearest rival comparisons provide context for its performance level. It sits 0.1% above the Intel Core i3-14100, 0.2% below the Intel Core 7 360, and 0.2% below the Intel Core i3-13100. The Core 3 305 sits 0.2% below the 330. These deltas are all within a fraction of a percent, meaning the 330 performs in a tight band around these comparable processors.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field in the database.

Cores and threads: The Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core Ultra 5 135UL has 12 cores and 14 threads.

Clock speeds: The Core 5 330 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 135UL has a base clock of 1.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Process node: The Core 5 330 uses a 3 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 135UL uses a 7 nm process.

Socket: The Core 5 330 uses Intel BGA 1516. The Core Ultra 5 135UL uses Intel Socket 1851.

Cache: The Core 5 330 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 135UL has 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Memory bus: The Core 5 330 is single-channel. The Core Ultra 5 135UL is dual-channel.

Memory bandwidth: The Core 5 330 provides 59.7 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 135UL provides 89.6 GB/s.

Memory support: The Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Core Ultra 5 135UL supports DDR5, with support depending on the motherboard.

PCIe: The Core 5 330 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 135UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics: The Core 5 330 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Core Ultra 5 135UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU.

Market segment: The Core 5 330 is listed as Mobile. The Core Ultra 5 135UL is listed as Desktop.

Release date: The Core 5 330 released on 2026-04-15. The Core Ultra 5 135UL released on 2024-04-07.

Launch MSRP: The Core 5 330 had a launch MSRP of $309. The Core Ultra 5 135UL had a launch MSRP of $331.

Part number: The Core 5 330 is SAE3G. The Core Ultra 5 135UL is SRN97.

Both processors have locked multipliers, neither supports ECC memory, and both are produced by Intel with active production status.