Intel Core i5-1345U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1345U and Intel Core Ultra 5 226V are both mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops, but the benchmark data reveals a stark performance gap between the two generations. While the older Raptor Lake chip holds one clear advantage, the newer Lunar Lake part dominates the vast majority of tests, often by significant margins. Both processors sit at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the i5-1345U scoring 19411 and the Ultra 5 226V scoring 19368. That overall parity, however, masks a workload-specific split that heavily favors the newer architecture in most scenarios.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the entire comparison is the PassMark integer math test, where the Intel Core i5-1345U scores 52847 against the Ultra 5 226V’s 38647. That is a 36.7% advantage for the older chip, and it is the only test out of 17 where the i5-1345U comes out ahead. This single win suggests that the 10-core, 12-thread Raptor Lake design with its higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz retains a distinct edge in certain integer-heavy workloads, likely due to its additional threads and higher peak frequency.

Every other head-to-head benchmark favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, often by double-digit percentages. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Ultra 5 226V scores 6381 versus 4942, a 22.6% lead. The same 22.6% delta appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, with scores of 900 and 697 respectively. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 21.6% gap, with the Ultra 5 226V posting 9848 against the i5-1345U’s 7724. Even in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the gap narrows to just 1.1% (1744 vs 1724), the newer chip still wins.

The Ultra 5 226V’s dominance extends beyond Cinebench. In PassMark physics, it scores 1449 versus 818, a 43.5% advantage. Floating point math shows a 31.2% lead (52270 vs 35939), and extended instructions reveal a 37.7% gap (14724 vs 9178). The find prime numbers test is the most lopsided, with the Ultra 5 226V scoring 166 against just 47 for the i5-1345U, a 71.7% difference. Even in tests where the margin is smaller, such as data compression (3.9% lead), random string sorting (9.2% lead), and single-thread performance (9% lead), the Ultra 5 226V consistently comes out on top.

Where Each One Wins

The data paints a clear picture: the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V is the superior processor for nearly every compute-intensive task. Its wins in Cinebench R20 and R23, both multicore and single-core, indicate strong performance in rendering and general productivity applications. The large margins in PassMark physics and floating point math suggest advantages in scientific computing and simulation workloads. The 71.7% lead in find prime numbers points to a significant edge in cryptographic or number-theoretic tasks, while the 37.7% advantage in extended instructions reflects better support for modern instruction sets.

The Intel Core i5-1345U’s sole victory in integer math is worth examining, as it indicates that workloads relying heavily on integer operations—such as certain database operations, compression algorithms, or financial modeling—may still favor the older chip. The 12-thread configuration, compared to the Ultra 5 226V’s 8 threads, likely plays a role here, as does the higher 4.70 GHz boost clock versus 4.50 GHz. For users running applications that are heavily integer-bound and benefit from additional threads, the i5-1345U might actually be the better choice.

However, the overall pattern is unmistakable. The Ultra 5 226V wins 16 out of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including all three Cinebench iterations and the majority of PassMark subtests. Its 3 nm process node, built by TSMC, delivers higher efficiency and performance per clock compared to the 10 nm Intel node used in the i5-1345U. The newer architecture also features larger per-core caches, which contributes to its single-thread and multi-thread advantages.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V is the clear pick for anyone prioritizing overall performance across a wide range of tasks. Its wins in rendering, physics, floating point, and extended instructions cover the most common productivity and creative workloads. The 22.6% lead in Cinebench R20 multicore and the 21.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore are substantial, indicating that the Ultra 5 226V will render 3D scenes or export videos noticeably faster than the i5-1345U. For single-core performance, the 9% advantage in PassMark single-thread (3754 vs 3415) and the 1.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core might seem modest, but they still favor the newer chip.

The Intel Core i5-1345U should only be considered if the workload is specifically dominated by integer math, where its 36.7% lead (52847 vs 38647) is decisive. That narrow use case, however, is unlikely to be the primary driver for most laptop buyers. The Ultra 5 226V also benefits from a newer integrated GPU, the Arc 130V, compared to the Iris Xe Graphics 80EU in the i5-1345U, though no benchmark data is provided for graphics. Given that the Ultra 5 226V matches the i5-1345U in overall average score (19368 vs 19411) while winning 16 of 17 tests, the recommendation is straightforward: the Ultra 5 226V is the better all-around processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-1345U has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 19411, compared to the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V’s 19368. The difference is just 0.2%, as shown in the nearestRivals data.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V perform in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Ultra 5 226V scores 9848 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 21.6% higher than the i5-1345U’s 7724. This makes it the clear winner in this rendering workload.

Q: Is there any test where the Intel Core i5-1345U beats the Ultra 5 226V?

A: Yes, the i5-1345U wins the PassMark integer math test with a score of 52847, which is 36.7% higher than the Ultra 5 226V’s 38647. This is the only win for the i5-1345U out of 17 head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: What is the difference in single-thread performance between the two?

A: In PassMark single-thread, the Ultra 5 226V scores 3754, which is 9% higher than the i5-1345U’s 3415. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 5 226V scores 1744, only 1.1% higher than 1724.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i5-1345U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Despite having fewer cores and threads, the Ultra 5 226V wins most multi-threaded benchmarks.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core i5-1345U?

A: The Intel Core i5-1345U has a launch MSRP of $309. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V does not have a listed launch MSRP in the data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i5-1345U is based on Raptor Lake, with the codename Raptor Lake-U, and is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel’s foundry. It uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V is based on Lunar Lake, with the same codename, and is built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC, using the Intel BGA 2833 socket. This process shrink from 10 nm to 3 nm is a major factor in the Ultra 5 226V’s performance efficiency.

The cache hierarchies also differ significantly. The i5-1345U has an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, an L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 12 MB. The Ultra 5 226V has a much larger L1 cache of 192 KB per core and an L2 cache of 2.5 MB per core, but a smaller shared L3 cache of 8 MB. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches in the Ultra 5 226V likely contribute to its superior single-thread performance, despite the smaller L3.

Additional architectural differences include the integrated graphics: the i5-1345U features Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Ultra 5 226V features the newer Arc 130V. The memory support also varies, with the i5-1345U supporting DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 226V’s memory support is listed as unknown and depends on the motherboard. Both support dual-channel memory and do not support ECC.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1345U | Intel Core Ultra 5 226V |

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

| Cores | 10 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1600.00 MHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

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

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | Arc 130V |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SRMLZ | SRPMQSRPMR |

The i5-1345U offers more cores and threads, a higher boost clock, and a larger L3 cache. The Ultra 5 226V counters with a much newer 3 nm process, larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, a higher base clock, and PCIe Gen 5 support. The TDP is slightly higher on the Ultra 5 226V at 17 W versus 15 W. Both are mobile processors with active production status and locked multipliers.