Intel Core Ultra 5 235A vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a dominant performance profile for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A across nearly every measured workload. Out of 17 head-to-head tests, the 235A wins 16, with the 336H securing a single victory in Passmark's physics test.

The Cinebench suite reveals a consistent and substantial advantage for the 235A. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 235A scores 3289 against 2418 for the 336H, a 36% lead. The single-core test shows a similar gap, with 464 versus 341, a 36.1% difference. This pattern continues through Cinebench R20 and R23, where the 235A maintains a 36% advantage in both multicore and single-core tests. The R20 multicore score of 13705 for the 235A compares to 10076 for the 336H, while the R23 multicore results show 32633 versus 23991.

Passmark tests tell a similar story, though the margins vary by workload. The largest delta appears in floating point math, where the 235A scores 118778 against 82415, a 44.1% advantage. Data encryption shows a 41.5% lead (30136 vs 21291), integer math shows a 42.8% lead (88626 vs 62070), and random string sorting shows a 43.9% lead (49489 vs 34402). Data compression is 40.5% ahead (393800 vs 280340).

The 235A also wins in extended instructions (31625 vs 24542, 28.9%) and prime number finding (392 vs 299, 31.1%). The multithread score favors the 235A at 38392 versus 28545, a 34.5% gap.

The single exception is the Passmark physics test. Here the 336H scores 2682, beating the 235A's 2437 by 9.1%. This is the only test where the 336H delivers a higher result.

The single-thread Passmark score shows a smaller but still clear lead for the 235A: 4557 versus 4013, a 13.6% advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has an average benchmark score of 48201, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H scores 34485 on average, placing it in the 84th percentile.

Q: How does the 235A compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The 235A sits within 0.6% of the AMD EPYC 4345P (which scores 48470) and within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 (which scores 48171). It is 0.2% behind the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX (48287) and 0.6% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 (47918).

Q: Where does the 336H rank among its competitors?

A: The 336H is 0.2% behind the Intel Core i7-13700HX (34554) and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i5-13450HX (34333). It also leads the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X (34260) by 0.7% and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 (34222) by 0.8%.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Passmark floating point math, where the 235A leads by 44.1%. Data encryption follows at 41.5%, and random string sorting at 43.9%.

Q: Is there any workload where the 336H wins?

A: Yes, the Passmark physics test favors the 336H. It scores 2682 against 2437 for the 235A, a 9.1% advantage.

Q: What are the release dates for these processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A was released on 2025-07-28. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H was released on 2026-01-04.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use different silicon. The 235A belongs to Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename, and is built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. The 336H belongs to Core Ultra Series 3, uses the Panther Lake architecture with the Panther Lake codename, and is built on a 3 nm process by Intel's own foundry.

The 336H has more cores and threads, with 16 cores and 16 threads, while the 235A has 14 cores and 14 threads. Neither processor supports hyperthreading, so thread counts match core counts.

Cache configurations differ notably. The 235A uses 3 MB of L2 cache per core and shares 24 MB of L3 cache. The 336H uses 2.5 MB of L2 per core and shares 18 MB of L3. Both use 192 KB of L1 cache per core.

Clock speeds favor the 235A by a wide margin. The 235A has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The 336H has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

Power envelopes are very different, reflecting their target markets. The 235A has a TDP of 65 watts and uses Intel Socket 1851, indicating a desktop part. The 336H has a TDP of 25 watts and uses Intel BGA 2540, indicating a mobile part. The 235A's market segment is Desktop, while the 336H's is Mobile.

Memory support differs as well. The 235A supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The 336H supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and a higher bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

PCIe lanes also differ. The 235A provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the 336H provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are different generations. The 235A uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units. The 336H uses Intel Xe3 Graphics.

Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data makes the performance hierarchy clear. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is the faster processor in nearly every measurable workload, with particularly large leads in floating point math, data encryption, and integer math. Its 36% lead across the Cinebench suite indicates strong multicore and single-core rendering performance. The 235A also holds a higher average benchmark score (48201 vs 34485) and a higher percentile ranking (90th vs 84th).

The 336H's single win in the Passmark physics test shows a specific strength, but it does not offset the broad deficit elsewhere. The 336H is a lower-power mobile processor with a 25 watt TDP versus 65 watts for the desktop 235A. Its 16 cores do not help it overcome the 235A's higher clocks and larger cache.

For desktop users who prioritize raw performance, the 235A is clearly the better choice. The 336H serves a different purpose as a mobile processor, where its lower power draw is a key characteristic, but the benchmark results show it trails the 235A in computational throughput.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 235A | Intel Core Ultra 5 336H |

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

| Cores | 14 | 16 |

| Threads | 14 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 watts | 25 watts |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Arrow Lake | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Arrow Lake-S | Panther Lake |

| Generation | Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) | Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2025-07-28 | 2026-01-04 |

| Part Number | SRWPN | SA4RD |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A wins across all Cinebench tests, including R15, R20, and R23 in both multicore and single-core variants. It also wins in Passmark data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread, random string sorting, and single-thread tests.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins only in Passmark physics, where its 2682 score beats the 235A's 2437.

The performance split shows a clear pattern. The 235A is the choice for compute-heavy workloads such as rendering, data compression, encryption, and mathematical operations. The 336H offers a single advantage in physics simulation, likely tied to its specific architectural characteristics, but it is not enough to recommend it over the 235A for general processing tasks.

The 336H does have the advantage of a much lower TDP at 25 watts, which makes it suitable for mobile systems where power efficiency matters. The 235A's 65 watt TDP reflects its desktop orientation. The 336H also supports LPDDR5X memory and delivers higher memory bandwidth at 115.2 GB/s, though this does not translate into benchmark victories over the 235A.