Intel Core Ultra 5 135U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V Comparison

The comparison between the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V and the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U reveals a generational shift within Intel's mobile lineup. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the 135U retains specific strengths in certain workloads. With 15 wins for the Ultra 7 266V against 2 for the Ultra 5 135U across the recorded head-to-head tests, the overall trajectory is decisive, yet the details matter for specific use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking divergence appears in the Cinebench R23 multicore test. The Ultra 7 266V scores 16544, which is 77.6% ahead of the Ultra 5 135U's 9315. This is the largest single delta in the entire comparison. The gap closes somewhat in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Ultra 7 266V leads by 17.1% (6948 versus 5934). However, in the older Cinebench R15 multicore test, the difference shrinks to a marginal 2% (1667 versus 1634). This pattern suggests that the newer architecture scales significantly better under sustained, modern multi-threaded loads.

Single-core performance follows a similar, though less extreme, pattern. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 7 266V posts 2335, which is 49.4% higher than the 135U's 1563. The R20 single-core test shows a 17.1% advantage for the Ultra 7 266V (980 versus 837), and the R15 single-core test shows a 3.1% lead (235 versus 228). The PassMark single-thread score reinforces this, with the Ultra 7 266V at 3943, a 17.9% improvement over the 135U's 3343. The data indicates a consistent, substantial uplift in per-core throughput for the newer processor.

Beyond rendering, the Ultra 7 266V dominates in several compute-intensive PassMark subtests. In floating-point math, it scores 56923, a 38.1% advantage over the 135U's 41232. The physics test shows a 43.3% lead (1608 versus 1122). Extended instructions favor the Ultra 7 266V by 42.9% (15928 versus 11144). The prime number finding test is particularly lopsided: the Ultra 7 266V scores 191, a 198.4% improvement over the 135U's 64. Data encryption also goes to the Ultra 7 266V by 13.3% (13822 versus 12195), and the multithread score is 12.1% higher (19461 versus 17359).

The Ultra 5 135U counters in two specific areas. Integer math is its strongest win: a score of 56864 versus 41558, giving the 135U a 26.9% advantage. Data compression also favors the older chip, at 196712 versus 187050, a 4.9% lead. In random string sorting, the Ultra 7 266V wins again, but by a narrower 5.9% margin (22905 versus 21620). These results indicate that the 135U retains a niche in specific integer-heavy and compression tasks, likely due to its higher core count.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear choice for most users. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V is the superior processor for general productivity, software compilation, 3D rendering, and any workload that benefits from strong single-thread performance. Its lead in Cinebench R23 multicore by 77.6% and single-core by 49.4% makes it the definitive pick for demanding applications that are not specifically optimized for integer arithmetic.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U should be considered only for workloads that heavily prioritize integer math and data compression. Its 26.9% advantage in integer math and 4.9% lead in data compression are meaningful, but they are isolated wins. In every other major metric, the Ultra 7 266V is ahead, often by wide margins. The data shows no scenario where the 135U is the better all-around choice. The Ultra 7 266V also achieves this with a higher TDP of 17 watts compared to the 135U's 15 watts, which is a modest increase for a significant performance gain.

The percentile rankings place both processors at the 76th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are in the same broad performance class. However, the average benchmark score for the Ultra 7 266V is 23297, while the Ultra 5 135U sits at 22618. This 679-point gap in average score, combined with the head-to-head win count, confirms that the Ultra 7 266V is the stronger part overall. The nearest rival data for the Ultra 7 266V shows it trading blows with the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H and Intel Core i9-11900F, while the Ultra 5 135U is positioned near the Intel Core i5-12500H and AMD Ryzen 5 7535U. The newer part is competing in a higher performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different generations and use distinct designs. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V is built on the Lunar Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 2. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U uses the Meteor Lake architecture from the Core Ultra Series 1. The manufacturing process differs significantly: the Ultra 7 266V is fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC, while the Ultra 5 135U uses Intel's 7 nm process. This node advantage is a likely contributor to the Ultra 7's efficiency and performance per clock.

Core configurations are fundamentally different. The Ultra 7 266V has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no hyper-threading. The Ultra 5 135U has 12 cores and 14 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement that includes additional efficiency cores. Despite having fewer threads, the Ultra 7 266V achieves higher scores in multi-threaded tests, except for integer math and compression. The cache hierarchy also differs. The Ultra 7 266V has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core. The Ultra 5 135U has 112 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core. Both share 12 MB of L3 cache.

The integrated graphics are different as well. The Ultra 7 266V features Arc 140V graphics, while the Ultra 5 135U has Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. Memory support also changes: the Ultra 7 266V supports LPDDR5X with a memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, while the Ultra 5 135U supports DDR5 with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The PCIe interface differs, with the Ultra 7 266V offering Gen 5 with 4 lanes, and the Ultra 5 135U offering Gen 4 with 12 lanes. The sockets are incompatible, with the Ultra 7 266V using Intel BGA 2833 and the Ultra 5 135U using Intel BGA 2049.

Specification Differences

The processors differ on several key specifications. The base clock of the Ultra 7 266V is 2.20 GHz, while the Ultra 5 135U has a base clock of 1600 MHz (1.60 GHz). The boost clock favors the newer part: 5.00 GHz for the Ultra 7 266V versus 4.40 GHz for the Ultra 5 135U. The TDP is 17 watts for the Ultra 7 266V and 15 watts for the Ultra 5 135U.

The release dates are different. The Ultra 7 266V was released on 2024-09-23, while the Ultra 5 135U was released on 2023-12-13. The Ultra 5 135U has a launch MSRP of $332. The Ultra 7 266V has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Both processors are currently marked as Active in production and both are for the Mobile market segment. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The memory buses are the same, both dual-channel. Neither supports ECC memory. The part numbers are also different: the Ultra 7 266V has parts SRPMM and SRPMY, while the Ultra 5 135U has the part number SRN6C.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V is significantly faster, scoring 16544 compared to the Ultra 5 135U's 9315, a 77.6% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Ultra 5 135U wins in PassMark integer math (56864 versus 41558, a 26.9% lead) and data compression (196712 versus 187050, a 4.9% lead).

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

A: The Ultra 7 266V leads in PassMark single-thread with a score of 3943 versus 3343, a 17.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the lead is 49.4% (2335 versus 1563).

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Ultra 7 266V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Ultra 5 135U has 12 cores and 14 threads, yet it loses most multi-threaded benchmarks.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Ultra 7 266V supports LPDDR5X with a bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The Ultra 5 135U supports DDR5 with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No. The Ultra 7 266V is from the Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake), released later, while the Ultra 5 135U is from the Core Ultra Series 1 (Meteor Lake).