Intel Core i7-1270P vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V. Out of 17 head-to-head tests, it wins 16, with only one decisive loss to the Intel Core i7-1270P. The Core Ultra 7 266V posts an average benchmark score of 23297, which is 3.5% higher than the i7-1270P’s 22502. Both processors sit at the 76th percentile of all CPUs, but the score gap is consistent across most workloads.

For users seeking maximum single-thread performance, the Core Ultra 7 266V is the clear pick. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2335 beats the i7-1270P’s 1967 by 18.7%. The same 18.7% margin appears in R15 and R20 single-core tests, showing a systematic advantage in lightly threaded tasks. The i7-1270P only wins in PassMark integer math, where it scores 63016 versus 41558, a 34.1% lead. That result suggests the older chip has a specific strength in pure integer arithmetic loops, but it does not translate into overall superiority.

The Core Ultra 7 266V also excels in efficiency-oriented metrics. With a 17W TDP versus the i7-1270P’s 28W, the Lunar Lake part delivers higher performance while drawing less power on paper. The i7-1270P, with 12 cores and 16 threads, offers more parallel hardware, but the data shows the 8-core, 8-thread Ultra 7 266V still wins in every multi-threaded Cinebench test. The verdict is straightforward: choose the Core Ultra 7 266V for most workloads, and reserve the i7-1270P for niche integer-heavy applications.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 266V wins across the vast majority of tested scenarios. Its largest margins come in PassMark extended instructions (50.6% ahead), find prime numbers (189.4% ahead), and physics (43.6% ahead). These results indicate strong AVX-512 or similar vector instruction handling, plus superior floating-point throughput. The floating-point math score of 56923 versus 43168 shows a 31.9% advantage, reinforcing this pattern.

The i7-1270P’s lone victory is in PassMark integer math. With a score of 63016, it outperforms the Ultra 7 266V’s 41558 by 34.1%. This suggests the Alder Lake architecture’s hybrid core layout, with 12 cores and 16 threads, handles certain integer workloads more efficiently. However, this win does not appear in any Cinebench test, meaning real-world rendering and encoding tasks still favor the Ultra 7 266V.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the Ultra 7 266V leads by 17.6% in PassMark single-thread scoring (3943 versus 3354). Its boost clock of 5.00 GHz, compared to the i7-1270P’s 4.80 GHz, contributes to this edge. In multi-threaded PassMark, the Ultra 7 266V scores 19461 versus 16957, a 14.8% win. Data compression favors the Ultra 7 266V by a slim 1.2% margin (187050 versus 184917), while encryption shows a 22.6% lead (13822 versus 11276). Random string sorting goes to the Ultra 7 266V by 11.5% (22905 versus 20546).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations. The Core Ultra 7 266V uses Lunar Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The Core i7-1270P uses Alder Lake-P architecture, fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm node. This process difference explains much of the performance and efficiency gap, as the newer node allows higher clocks and lower power draw.

Core counts differ significantly. The Ultra 7 266V has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-1270P has 12 cores and 16 threads. Despite fewer threads, the Ultra 7 266V wins in multi-threaded tests, indicating that its cores are individually much faster. The i7-1270P’s hybrid design includes performance and efficiency cores, but the data shows that raw core count does not overcome the Lunar Lake’s per-core advantage.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Ultra 7 266V has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The i7-1270P has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. The larger L3 on the i7-1270P (18 MB versus 12 MB) does not help it win benchmark tests, suggesting that the Ultra 7 266V’s larger L1 and L2 caches are more impactful for the workloads measured.

Memory support varies: the Ultra 7 266V uses LPDDR5X with a dual-channel bus and 136.5 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-1270P supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory but has no recorded bandwidth figure. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the Ultra 7 266V featuring Arc 140V and the i7-1270P using Iris Xe 96EU. PCIe lanes also differ: the Ultra 7 266V offers Gen 5 with 4 lanes, while the i7-1270P provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Core Ultra 7 266V wins all single-core tests. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 2335 versus 1967 for the i7-1270P, a 18.7% advantage. PassMark single-thread also favors the Ultra 7 266V, 3943 versus 3354.

Q: Does the i7-1270P win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes, the i7-1270P wins PassMark integer math with a score of 63016, which is 34.1% higher than the Ultra 7 266V’s 41558. This is its only victory across all 17 compared tests.

Q: How do the TDP ratings compare?

A: The Core Ultra 7 266V has a 17W TDP, while the Core i7-1270P has a 28W TDP. The Ultra 7 266V achieves higher benchmark scores despite the lower power envelope.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 7 266V scores 191 versus 66 for the i7-1270P, a 189.4% difference. The second largest is PassMark extended instructions, with the Ultra 7 266V leading by 50.6%.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i7-1270P has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 266V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Despite fewer threads, the Ultra 7 266V wins all multi-threaded Cinebench tests.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both are listed as Active in production status. The Ultra 7 266V was released in September 2024, while the i7-1270P came out in February 2022.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. In R15 multicore, the Ultra 7 266V scores 1667 against 1404, a 18.7% win. R15 single-core gives 235 versus 198, also 18.7%. R20 multicore produces 6948 versus 5853, another 18.7% margin. R20 single-core is 980 versus 826, a 18.6% lead. R23 multicore follows with 16544 versus 13938, and R23 single-core with 2335 versus 1967, both at 18.7%. These uniform percentages suggest the Ultra 7 266V has a fundamental per-clock advantage.

PassMark tests reveal where the i7-1270P can compete. Integer math is the outlier: the i7-1270P scores 63016, beating the Ultra 7 266V’s 41558 by 34.1%. This is the only test where the older chip leads. In floating-point math, the Ultra 7 266V responds with 56923 versus 43168, a 31.9% win. Physics tests show a 43.6% advantage for the Ultra 7 266V (1608 versus 1120). Extended instructions give the Ultra 7 266V a 50.6% lead (15928 versus 10575). Find prime numbers shows the starkest gap: 191 versus 66, a 189.4% difference.

Encryption performance favors the Ultra 7 266V by 22.6% (13822 versus 11276). Data compression is nearly tied, with the Ultra 7 266V ahead by only 1.2% (187050 versus 184917). Random string sorting goes to the Ultra 7 266V by 11.5% (22905 versus 20546). The multi-thread PassMark score is 19461 for the Ultra 7 266V versus 16957, a 14.8% win. Single-thread PassMark gives 3943 versus 3354, a 17.6% margin. Overall, the head-to-head data is decisive: the Ultra 7 266V wins 16 of 17 comparisons, with the only loss being integer math.

Specification Differences

The Core Ultra 7 266V and Core i7-1270P differ in nearly every major specification. The Ultra 7 266V uses 8 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-1270P uses 12 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are identical at 2.20 GHz, but boost clocks differ: 5.00 GHz for the Ultra 7 266V versus 4.80 GHz for the i7-1270P. TDP ratings are 17W and 28W, respectively.

Sockets differ: the Ultra 7 266V uses Intel BGA 2833, while the i7-1270P uses Intel BGA 1744. Architecture separates them into Lunar Lake and Alder Lake, with process nodes of 3 nm (TSMC) and 10 nm (Intel). Cache configurations are distinct: the Ultra 7 266V has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3; the i7-1270P has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Die size is recorded only for the i7-1270P at 217 mm².

Memory support differs: the Ultra 7 266V uses LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-1270P supports DDR4 and DDR5 with no recorded bandwidth. PCIe generations and lane counts also differ: Gen 5 with 4 lanes for the Ultra 7 266V versus Gen 4 with 20 lanes for the i7-1270P. Integrated graphics are Arc 140V on the Ultra 7 266V and Iris Xe 96EU on the i7-1270P. Release dates are September 2024 for the Ultra 7 266V and February 2022 for the i7-1270P.