Intel Core i3-1220P vs Intel Core Ultra 7 268V Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1220P and Intel Core Ultra 7 268V are both mobile processors, yet they deliver sharply contrasting performance profiles. The data reveals a generational shift: the newer Core Ultra 7 268V dominates in most single-threaded and efficiency-oriented workloads, while the older Core i3-1220P retains a narrow but decisive edge in specific multi-core scenarios. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical—21,066 for the i3-1220P versus 20,897 for the Ultra 7 268V—placing both at the 74th percentile among all CPUs. However, the distribution of wins is lopsided, with the Ultra 7 268V taking 15 of 17 head-to-head tests. This analysis breaks down the key differences and what they mean for real-world use.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where the Intel Core i3-1220P scores 13,314 against the Ultra 7 268V’s 10,653—a 25% advantage. This is the largest win for the i3-1220P and highlights its strength in sustained all-core rendering workloads. The other notable victory for the older chip is in PassMark integer math, where it posts 53,507 versus 42,669, a 25.4% lead. These two wins suggest that the i3-1220P’s higher core count (10 vs 8) and thread count (12 vs 8) can still matter in heavily parallel integer and rendering tasks.

The Ultra 7 268V’s wins are far more numerous and often much larger. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1,616 against 1,341, a 17% margin. The R20 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 6,887 versus 5,591, an 18.8% gap. Single-core performance tells an even clearer story—in Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 7 268V leads by 35.5% (293 vs 189), and in R20 single-core by 18.8% (972 vs 789). The newer chip’s advantage extends to PassMark’s floating-point math, where it scores 57,628 versus 37,294, a 35.3% difference, and to extended instructions, where it leads by 34.4% (15,323 vs 10,051).

Some of the Ultra 7 268V’s most dramatic margins come in specialized tests. In PassMark find prime numbers, it scores 192 versus just 33 for the i3-1220P—a staggering 82.8% gap. Physics simulation also heavily favors the newer chip: 1,617 versus 637, a 60.6% lead. Even in PassMark multi-thread, the Ultra 7 268V wins by 25% (19,297 vs 14,481), despite having fewer threads. Data compression is nearly a tie, with the Ultra 7 268V edging ahead by just 0.5% (181,443 vs 180,528), while data encryption shows a 20.7% advantage for the Ultra 7 268V (13,779 vs 10,923). Single-thread PassMark also goes to the Ultra 7 268V, 4,051 versus 3,362, a 17% lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i3-1220P is built on Alder Lake architecture and uses a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. In contrast, the Core Ultra 7 268V belongs to the Lunar Lake architecture and is manufactured on a 3 nm node by TSMC. This process shrink is a major factor in the Ultra 7 268V’s efficiency and clock-speed advantages.

Core configurations diverge significantly. The i3-1220P offers 10 cores and 12 threads, indicating a hybrid design with performance and efficiency cores, typical of Alder Lake-P. The Ultra 7 268V has 8 cores and 8 threads, suggesting a simpler all-performance-core layout for Lunar Lake. Base clocks reflect this difference: the i3-1220P starts at 1.50 GHz, while the Ultra 7 268V begins at 2.20 GHz. Boost clocks also favor the newer chip, with 5.00 GHz versus 4.40 GHz.

Cache hierarchies are notably different. The i3-1220P has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Ultra 7 268V doubles that to 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 per core. Both share 12 MB of L3 cache, so the total cache pool is identical at that level, but the per-core L1 and L2 advantages for the Ultra 7 268V contribute to its superior single-thread performance. The i3-1220P supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 7 268V’s memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i3-1220P offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Ultra 7 268P provides Gen 5 with only 4 lanes.

Integrated graphics are another major architectural divide. The i3-1220P ships with UHD Graphics 64EU, while the Ultra 7 268V features Arc 140V graphics. The latter is a far more capable iGPU, which could matter for light gaming or media tasks without a discrete GPU.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-1220P is the clear winner in long-form multi-core rendering. Its 25% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is substantial, and the 25.4% edge in PassMark integer math suggests it handles integer-heavy parallel workloads better. These results imply that for CPU-bound rendering, compilation, or scientific computing that scales across many threads, the older chip can outperform the newer one despite its lower clock speeds and older architecture.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V wins everywhere else, and its dominance is broad. It is the better choice for single-threaded tasks, as shown by 35.5% and 18.8% leads in Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core tests, respectively. Its 17% advantage in PassMark single-thread confirms this. For floating-point math, the 35.3% lead is decisive, making it superior for physics simulations, 3D rendering, and any workload that relies heavily on FPU performance. The 60.6% lead in PassMark physics and the 82.8% lead in prime-number finding highlight its strength in algorithmic and scientific tasks.

The Ultra 7 268V also wins in general productivity. Its 25% lead in PassMark multi-thread and 20.7% lead in data encryption suggest it handles everyday multitasking and security-related workloads more efficiently. Even in data compression, where the gap is just 0.5%, the newer chip comes out ahead. For mobile users, the Ultra 7 268V’s 17 W TDP versus the i3-1220P’s 28 W TDP is a critical advantage—it delivers higher performance in most tests while consuming less power, making it the better option for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals are priorities.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every key specification. The i3-1220P has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Ultra 7 268V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz for the i3-1220P and 2.20 GHz for the Ultra 7 268V. Boost clocks are 4.40 GHz and 5.00 GHz, respectively. Thermal design power is 28 W for the i3-1220P and 17 W for the Ultra 7 268V. Sockets are different: Intel BGA 1744 for the i3-1220P and Intel BGA 2833 for the Ultra 7 268V. The process node is 10 nm (Intel) versus 3 nm (TSMC), and the architectures are Alder Lake versus Lunar Lake.

Cache layouts differ: L1 is 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core, and L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core. L3 is identical at 12 MB shared. Memory support is DDR4/DDR5 for the i3-1220P versus motherboard-dependent for the Ultra 7 268V. PCIe versions and lane counts are Gen 4 with 20 lanes versus Gen 5 with 4 lanes. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 64EU versus Arc 140V. Release dates also differ: the i3-1220P launched on 2022-02-22, while the Ultra 7 268V launched on 2024-09-23. Their part numbers are SRLFY and SRPMLSRPMX, respectively. Both lack ECC memory support and unlocked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i3-1220P has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: The Ultra 7 268V wins in all single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it leads by 35.5% (293 vs 189), and in Cinebench R23 single-core, it leads by 2.2% (1,921 vs 1,879). PassMark single-thread also favors the Ultra 7 268V at 4,051 versus 3,362.

Q: Which processor is better for multi-core rendering?

A: It depends on the test. The i3-1220P wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 25% (13,314 vs 10,653), but the Ultra 7 268V wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 17% (1,616 vs 1,341) and Cinebench R20 multi-core by 18.8% (6,887 vs 5,591).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i3-1220P has a TDP of 28 W, while the Ultra 7 268V has a TDP of 17 W, making the newer chip more power-efficient.

Q: Are the integrated graphics different?

A: Yes, the i3-1220P features UHD Graphics 64EU, whereas the Ultra 7 268V includes Arc 140V graphics.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ultra 7 268V has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, compared to 4.40 GHz for the i3-1220P.