Intel Core i3-1220P vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i3-1220P and the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V shows a clear split: the Ultra 7 wins the majority of tests, but the i3-1220P holds decisive wins in some important workloads. Out of 17 head-to-head tests, the Ultra 7 258V takes 13 victories, while the i3-1220P wins 4.

The most dramatic result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The i3-1220P scores 13314, which is 29.2% ahead of the Ultra 7's 10301. This is the largest margin in either direction across all tests. The single-core result in the same benchmark is nearly identical, with the i3-1220P at 1879 and the Ultra 7 at 1872, a 0.4% difference. The older Alder Lake chip also wins PassMark integer math by a wide margin, 53507 versus 42889, a 24.8% advantage, and data compression by a smaller 2.2% margin, 180528 versus 176686.

The Ultra 7 258V answers with substantial wins in most other categories. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1596.5 versus 1341, a 16% advantage. Its R15 single-core score of 285 is 33.7% higher than the i3-1220P's 189. Cinebench R20 results show a 17% lead in both multi-core (6739 versus 5591) and single-core (951 versus 789). PassMark single-thread performance favors the Ultra 7 at 4018 versus 3362, a 16.3% gap.

The most lopsided results come from specialized workloads. In PassMark find prime numbers, the Ultra 7 scores 185 versus just 33, an 82.2% advantage. PassMark physics shows a 59.3% lead, 1565 versus 637. Floating point math favors the Ultra 7 by 35%, 57372 versus 37294. Extended instructions show a 31.7% edge, 14717 versus 10051. Data encryption is 19.3% higher on the Ultra 7, 13534 versus 10923. PassMark multithread is 23.3% higher, 18887 versus 14481. Random string sorting is a close 3.4% win for the Ultra 7, 21580 versus 20846.

Overall average benchmark scores are close: the i3-1220P sits at 21066, while the Ultra 7 is at 20454. Both processors occupy the 74th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the i3-1220P include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G at 21088 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V at 21112 (0.2% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U at 21133 (0.3% ahead). The Ultra 7 258V sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 at 20468 (0.1% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G at 20425 (0.1% behind), and the AMD EPYC 9454P at 20422 (0.2% behind). These deltas are small, indicating that both chips perform within a tight band of their respective peers.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design eras. The i3-1220P is built on Alder Lake architecture, produced on Intel's 10 nm process, while the Ultra 7 258V uses Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC. The i3-1220P belongs to the Core i3 generation with the Alder Lake-P codename, while the Ultra 7 is part of the Core Ultra Series 2 with the Lunar Lake codename.

Core counts and threading differ significantly. The i3-1220P has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Ultra 7 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The i3-1220P supports simultaneous multithreading, the Ultra 7 does not. Base clock speeds favor the Ultra 7 at 2.20 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, and boost clocks favor the Ultra 7 at 4.80 GHz versus 4.40 GHz. Power draw is lower on the Ultra 7, with a TDP of 17 watts compared to 28 watts for the i3-1220P.

Cache layouts are notably different. The i3-1220P uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 uses 192 KB of L1 per core and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, also with 12 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 7 contribute to its strong single-thread and latency-sensitive performance.

Memory support diverges as well. The i3-1220P supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Ultra 7 supports LPDDR5X memory with a recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The i3-1220P offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). Neither chip supports ECC memory.

Integrated graphics differ in branding and capability. The i3-1220P includes UHD Graphics 64EU, while the Ultra 7 includes Arc 140V. The sockets are incompatible: the i3-1220P uses Intel BGA 1744, and the Ultra 7 uses Intel BGA 2833. Release dates are roughly two and a half years apart, with the i3-1220P launching in February 2022 and the Ultra 7 in September 2024. Both are listed as active production parts, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data supports a split decision based on workload type. For heavily threaded rendering workloads, the i3-1220P is the stronger choice. Its 29.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 24.8% lead in PassMark integer math show that its 10 cores and 12 threads can outperform the Ultra 7's 8 cores and 8 threads in sustained parallel workloads, despite the older architecture and higher TDP.

For nearly everything else, the Ultra 7 258V is the better performer. It wins single-threaded tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and PassMark, and it dominates in physics, prime number finding, floating point math, encryption, and extended instructions. The 82.2% lead in find prime numbers and 59.3% lead in physics are particularly stark. Its lower 17-watt TDP, smaller 3 nm process, and larger per-core caches make it the more efficient and responsive processor for general computing, content creation, and productivity tasks.

Users who prioritize multi-core rendering in Cinebench R23 or integer-heavy workloads should look at the i3-1220P. Users who want better single-thread responsiveness, faster encryption, stronger floating point performance, and lower power consumption should choose the Ultra 7 258V. The overall average benchmark scores are close, but the distribution of wins is not.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins single-thread tests. Its PassMark single-thread score is 4018 versus 3362 for the i3-1220P, a 16.3% advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 951 versus 789, a 17% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-1220P beat the Ultra 7 258V in any multi-core test?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-1220P scores 13314 versus 10301, a 29.2% advantage. It also wins PassMark integer math, 53507 versus 42889, a 24.8% lead.

Q: What are the core counts and threading differences?

A: The i3-1220P has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Ultra 7 258V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The i3-1220P supports simultaneous multithreading, while the Ultra 7 does not.

Q: How do the power draws compare?

A: The i3-1220P has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Ultra 7 258V has a TDP of 17 watts. The Ultra 7 consumes less power per the recorded specifications.

Q: Which processor has larger caches?

A: The Ultra 7 258V has larger per-core caches: 192 KB L1 per core and 2.5 MB L2 per core. The i3-1220P has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core. Both have 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the manufacturing process differences?

A: The i3-1220P uses Intel's 10 nm process for Alder Lake architecture. The Ultra 7 258V uses TSMC's 3 nm process for Lunar Lake architecture.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-1220P wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Cinebench R23 single-core, PassMark data compression, and PassMark integer math. These results suggest strengths in integer arithmetic, compression workloads, and the specific rendering path tested by Cinebench R23. The 29.2% multi-core margin is large enough to matter for batch rendering jobs or compiling tasks that scale across 12 threads.

The Ultra 7 258V wins in all other recorded tests, including Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core, Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core, PassMark data encryption, PassMark extended instructions, PassMark find prime numbers, PassMark floating point math, PassMark multithread, PassMark physics, PassMark random string sorting, and PassMark single-thread. The largest margins are in prime number finding at 82.2%, physics at 59.3%, floating point math at 35%, and extended instructions at 31.7%. These point to workloads involving scientific computing, physics simulation, encryption, and instruction-heavy code.

The power efficiency also favors the Ultra 7, with 17 watts TDP compared to 28 watts, and its memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s is recorded for LPDDR5X support. The i3-1220P offers broader memory compatibility with both DDR4 and DDR5, and more PCIe lanes at Gen 4, which may matter for systems needing more connectivity options.