Intel Core i3-1220P vs Intel Core Ultra 5 228V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V and the Intel Core i3-1220P are two mobile processors aimed at different priorities, and the benchmark data reflects a clear split between architectural efficiency and raw multi-threaded throughput. The Ultra 5 228V, built on a 3 nm TSMC process with 8 threads, wins the majority of performance tests, while the i3-1220P, a 10 nm Intel part with 12 threads, takes a smaller number of specific workloads. The data shows the Ultra 5 228V holds a 75th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the i3-1220P sits just below at 74th, indicating they are close in overall standing but achieve it through different strengths. Below is a detailed breakdown based solely on the provided benchmark results.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has an average benchmark score of 21440, while the Intel Core i3-1220P scores 21066. This places the Ultra 5 228V 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i9-11900H in its nearest rival comparisons.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: The Ultra 5 228V leads in most single-thread tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 267 versus 189 for the i3-1220P, a 41.3% advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the lead is 16.1% (916 vs 789). However, the i3-1220P wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test, scoring 1879 against 1758, a 6.4% margin.

Q: Which chip is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: The results are mixed. The Ultra 5 228V wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (1502.5 vs 1341, 12% ahead) and R20 multi-core (6491 vs 5591, 16.1% ahead). The i3-1220P, however, wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by a significant 25.4% margin, scoring 13314 versus 9932.

Q: What about integer math performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-1220P is the clear winner here. In the PassMark integer math test, it scores 53507 against the Ultra 5 228V's 39679, a 25.8% difference. This is one of the i3-1220P's largest wins alongside its Cinebench R23 multi-core result.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i3-1220P has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has a TDP of 17 watts. This makes the Ultra 5 228V the more power-efficient part on paper.

Q: Is there a difference in PCIe support?

A: Yes. The Ultra 5 228V supports PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i3-1220P supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a nuanced picture. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is the default pick for users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness, encryption, and floating-point work. It wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests, including decisive victories in PassMark physics (141.4% ahead) and extended instructions (47.3% ahead). Its 17-watt TDP and 3 nm process node suggest a focus on efficiency, making it suitable for thin-and-light systems where thermal headroom is limited.

The Intel Core i3-1220P, despite losing the overall win count, is the choice for specific multi-threaded and integer-heavy tasks. Its 12 threads (versus 8) and 12 MB of shared L3 cache (versus 8 MB) give it a distinct advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it leads by 25.4%. It also wins integer math by 25.8% and data compression by 3.7%. Users who run heavily parallel workloads that scale with thread count will find the i3-1220P more capable.

In short: pick the Ultra 5 228V for general-purpose speed, encryption, and efficiency. Pick the i3-1220P if your specific applications are hungry for raw thread count and integer throughput. The data does not support one chip being universally superior; it supports two different toolboxes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Ultra 5 228V is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 168 versus 33, a staggering 409.1% difference. This is not a close contest; the Lunar Lake architecture dominates this particular arithmetic task. Another massive margin is in PassMark physics, where the Ultra 5 228V scores 1538 against 637, a 141.4% lead. These two results alone demonstrate a fundamental advantage in specific computational patterns.

The Ultra 5 228V also shows strong leads in extended instructions (14801 vs 10051, 47.3% ahead) and floating-point math (53310 vs 37294, 42.9% ahead). In Cinebench R15 single-core, it is 41.3% ahead (267 vs 189). The PassMark multithread test favors the Ultra 5 228V by 25.9% (18227 vs 14481), and PassMark data encryption shows a 19.3% lead (13032 vs 10923). Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core both show a 16.1% advantage for the Ultra 5 228V (6491 vs 5591 and 916 vs 789, respectively). PassMark single-thread tests put the Ultra 5 228V ahead by 14.1% (3836 vs 3362).

The i3-1220P's wins are fewer but substantial. Its largest victory is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 13314 versus 9932, a 25.4% margin. It also wins PassMark integer math by 25.8% (53507 vs 39679). In PassMark data compression, the i3-1220P is 3.7% ahead (180528 vs 173924), and in Cinebench R23 single-core it leads by 6.4% (1879 vs 1758). These results indicate that the i3-1220P's advantage lies in sustained multi-threaded rendering and integer-heavy operations, not in burst performance or encryption.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in core configuration. The Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-1220P has 10 cores and 12 threads. The i3-1220P's extra threads come from its hybrid architecture, which the data suggests helps in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The base clock of the Ultra 5 228V is listed as 2.10 GHz, while the i3-1220P has a base clock of 1500.00 MHz. Boost clocks are closer: 4.50 GHz for the Ultra 5 228V versus 4.40 GHz for the i3-1220P.

The TDP is a key differentiator: 17 watts for the Ultra 5 228V and 28 watts for the i3-1220P. Sockets also differ, with the Ultra 5 228V using Intel BGA 2833 and the i3-1220P using Intel BGA 1744. Cache layouts are distinct: the Ultra 5 228V has 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 per core, with 8 MB shared L3; the i3-1220P has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 12 MB shared L3. Memory support differs as well: the Ultra 5 228V's is listed as unknown and dependent on the motherboard, while the i3-1220P supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The integrated graphics are different, with the Ultra 5 228V featuring Arc 130V and the i3-1220P featuring UHD Graphics 64EU. The i3-1220P offers more PCIe lanes (20 Gen 4) versus the Ultra 5 228V's 4 Gen 5 lanes.

Architecture Differences

The Ultra 5 228V is built on the Lunar Lake architecture, using a 3 nm process node from TSMC. The i3-1220P uses the Alder Lake architecture, on a 10 nm process node from Intel. This process difference is significant, as the 3 nm node allows for the Ultra 5 228V's lower 17-watt TDP while still delivering competitive performance. The codename for the i3-1220P is Alder Lake-P, while the Ultra 5 228V's codename is simply Lunar Lake.

The core counts reflect architectural priorities: the Ultra 5 228V uses 8 cores with no hyperthreading (8 threads), while the i3-1220P uses 10 cores with 12 threads, indicating a hybrid design that leverages efficiency cores. The cache hierarchy also differs, with the Ultra 5 228V having larger per-core L1 and L2 caches (192 KB and 2.5 MB) compared to the i3-1220P (80 KB and 1.25 MB). However, the i3-1220P has a larger shared L3 cache at 12 MB versus 8 MB. The Ultra 5 228V's integrated graphics are the Arc 130V, a more modern GPU solution, while the i3-1220P uses UHD Graphics 64EU. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both are locked (multiplier not unlocked). The release dates show the i3-1220P launched earlier, on 2022-02-22, while the Ultra 5 228V came later, on 2024-09-23.

Where Each One Wins

The Ultra 5 228V is the winner in scenarios that demand high single-thread performance, encryption, and floating-point math. Its 41.3% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 14.1% lead in PassMark single-thread make it the better choice for everyday responsive tasks like web browsing, office work, and light content creation. The 19.3% advantage in data encryption and the 42.9% lead in floating-point math point to strengths in cryptographic workloads and scientific calculations. The 141.4% margin in physics tests suggests it handles simulation and physics-based applications far better. For users who prioritize power efficiency, the 17-watt TDP versus 28 watts is a decisive factor, making the Ultra 5 228V the better pick for ultraportable laptops where battery life and thermals are critical.

The i3-1220P is the winner in workloads that are heavily multi-threaded and integer-dependent. Its 25.4% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the most notable, indicating that video rendering, 3D modeling, and other multi-threaded CPU-bound tasks will complete faster on this chip. The 25.8% lead in integer math further supports this, as many productivity applications and compilers are integer-heavy. The 3.7% win in data compression suggests it handles archiving and file packing slightly better. The i3-1220P also has a 6.4% edge in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is an outlier compared to other single-thread tests but still relevant for that specific benchmark. With 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes versus 4 Gen 5 lanes, the i3-1220P offers more connectivity options for peripherals, making it a more flexible choice for systems with multiple NVMe drives or expansion cards. Users running long, sustained multi-threaded workloads will prefer the i3-1220P despite its higher power draw.