Intel Core Ultra 5 228V vs Intel Core Ultra 7 268V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V and the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V are two mobile processors from the same Lunar Lake family, sharing a common foundation but diverging in performance potential. The benchmark data records a clean sweep for the Ultra 7 268V across all 17 head-to-head comparisons, yet the margin of victory varies significantly by workload, which dictates where each chip is best suited.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V wins every single recorded benchmark comparison. There are no tests in the database where the Core Ultra 5 228V posts a higher score. This means the Ultra 7 is the outright choice for any task that prioritizes raw performance, from single-threaded responsiveness to heavily threaded workloads.

However, the scale of the victory is not uniform. The largest performance gap appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Ultra 7 268V leads by 12.5%. This indicates a meaningful advantage in workloads that stress integer calculation and algorithmic processing. The smallest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where the Ultra 7 is only 3.4% ahead, suggesting that for certain specialized instruction sets, the two chips are nearly comparable.

The Core Ultra 5 228V, despite losing all comparisons, still holds relevance in the database. Its average benchmark score of 21440 places it at the 75th percentile of all CPUs, and it trades blows with the AMD Ryzen 5 2600, which scores 21484, a delta of only -0.2%. In this context, the Ultra 5 228V is not a weak processor, it is simply outclassed by its higher-tier sibling. The Ultra 7 268V, with an average score of 20897, sits at the 74th percentile and is closely matched with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE, which scores 20900, a delta of 0%. The Ultra 7's higher raw scores in the head-to-head tests do not translate to a higher average percentile, as the two processors are benchmarked against different pools of competitors.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same architectural blueprint, which explains their similar characteristics. They are both part of the Core Ultra Series 2, use the Lunar Lake architecture, and are fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm process node. They share the same Intel BGA 2833 socket, have 8 cores and 8 threads, and both lack simultaneous multithreading, as indicated by the equal core and thread counts.

The core configuration is identical, with each processor featuring 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core. The divergence begins with the L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core Ultra 7 268V has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This 4 MB difference in the last-level cache is a key factor in the performance gap, as it allows the Ultra 7 to hold more working data closer to the cores.

Clock speeds also differ. The Ultra 5 228V has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Ultra 7 268V operates at a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The higher boost clock of the Ultra 7, a 0.50 GHz advantage, directly contributes to its superior single-threaded performance. Both chips have a TDP of 17 watts, meaning the Ultra 7 achieves its higher performance within the same power envelope, proof of the efficiency of the Lunar Lake design.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Ultra 5 228V features the Arc 130V, while the Ultra 7 268V is equipped with the Arc 140V. Both processors support dual-channel memory, have Gen 5 PCIe with 4 lanes, and do not support ECC memory. They were both released on 2024-09-23 and are currently marked as active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent advantage for the Ultra 7 268V across the board. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ultra 7 scores 1616 against the Ultra 5's 1502.5, a 7% difference. The single-core gap in R15 is larger, with the Ultra 7 scoring 293 versus 267, an 8.9% difference. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the multicore scores are 6887 versus 6491 (a 5.7% gap), and single-core scores are 972 versus 916 (a 5.8% gap). Cinebench R23 shows a similar story: the Ultra 7 leads in multicore with 10653 against 9932, a 6.8% difference, and in single-core with 1921 against 1758, an 8.5% difference.

The PassMark suite provides a broader view of performance across different types of workloads. In data compression, the Ultra 7 scores 181443 against the Ultra 5's 173924, a 4.1% advantage. Data encryption shows a 5.4% lead for the Ultra 7 (13779 versus 13032). The extended instructions test has the smallest gap at 3.4% (15323 versus 14801). The aforementioned find prime numbers test is the largest gap at 12.5% (192 versus 168). Floating point math shows a 7.5% lead for the Ultra 7 (57628 versus 53310), and integer math shows a 7% lead (42669 versus 39679). The multithread score is 19297 versus 18227, a 5.5% gap. Physics scores are 1617 versus 1538, a 4.9% gap. Random string sorting shows a 5.2% lead (22416 versus 21254). Single-thread performance is 4051 versus 3836, a 5.3% gap. The database also records a Geekbench score for the Ultra 7 268V only, with a multicore score of 9963 and a single-core score of 2270; no corresponding Geekbench score is available for the Ultra 5 228V in the data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Do both processors have the same amount of L3 cache?

A: No. The Core Ultra 7 268V has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP of both processors?

A: Both the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V and the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V have a TDP of 17 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has a higher average benchmark score of 21440, compared to the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V's 20897, despite the Ultra 7 winning all head-to-head tests.

Q: Are the integrated graphics different between the two chips?

A: Yes. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V features the Arc 130V integrated graphics, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V features the Arc 140V.

Q: Which processor is ahead in the Cinebench R23 single-core test?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V leads with a score of 1921, compared to the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V's score of 1758, an 8.5% advantage.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V is the superior processor for performance-oriented users. It wins every single benchmark comparison, which means it is the better choice for any workload where processing power is the primary concern. Its advantages in clock speed and L3 cache size are reflected in its consistent leads across Cinebench and PassMark tests. The largest margin of victory is in the find prime numbers test, where it leads by 12.5%, and the smallest is in extended instructions, where it leads by 3.4%. For users who need the absolute highest performance in applications that are sensitive to single-threaded speed, such as the Cinebench R15 single-core test where it leads by 8.9%, the Ultra 7 268V is the clear pick.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V, while losing all direct comparisons, should not be dismissed. Its average benchmark score of 21440 is actually higher than the Ultra 7's 20897, and it holds its own against a different set of rivals, coming within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600. This suggests that in a broader context, the Ultra 5 228V is a very capable processor. The data indicates that for users who are not pushing the absolute limits of performance, or who are comparing against a different competitive set, the Ultra 5 228V remains a strong option. The choice ultimately comes down to whether the consistent, albeit modest, performance gains of the Ultra 7 268V across all tested workloads justify its selection over the Ultra 5 228V.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The base clock differs, with the Ultra 5 228V at 2.10 GHz and the Ultra 7 268V at 2.20 GHz. The boost clock differs, with the Ultra 5 228V at 4.50 GHz and the Ultra 7 268V at 5.00 GHz. The L3 cache size differs, with the Ultra 5 228V having 8 MB shared and the Ultra 7 268V having 12 MB shared. The integrated graphics differ, with the Ultra 5 228V using the Arc 130V and the Ultra 7 268V using the Arc 140V. The part numbers also differ, with the Ultra 5 228V listed as SRPMVSRPMU and the Ultra 7 268V listed as SRPMLSRPMX. All other recorded specifications, including cores, threads, TDP, socket, architecture, process node, foundry, L1 and L2 cache per core, memory bus, PCIe lanes, ECC support, market segment, production status, and release date, are identical between the two.