Intel Core Ultra 7 155U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 268V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture: the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U taking a single victory. The 268V's dominance is not marginal; in several workloads, the margin exceeds 30%. The most striking result comes from the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the 268V scores 192 against the 155U's 65, a 66.1% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and signals a fundamental difference in per-core computational efficiency.

Extended instruction performance shows the 268V at 15323 versus 9903 for the 155U, a 35.4% lead. Floating point math follows a similar trajectory: 57628 versus 40256, a 30.1% advantage for the newer chip. Physics simulation, which often reflects both core efficiency and memory subsystem behavior, shows the 268V ahead by 33% (1617 versus 1084). Data encryption is another clear win for the 268V, posting 13779 against 11333, a 17.8% improvement.

The 268V also dominates in single-threaded performance across every Cinebench iteration. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 293 versus 238.5, a gap of 18.6%. R20 single-core shows 972 versus 813, a 16.4% margin. R23 single-core continues the pattern with 1921 versus 1666, a 13.3% lead. PassMark single-thread results confirm this with 4051 versus 3372, a 16.8% difference. This consistent single-core advantage across multiple benchmark generations indicates a substantial IPC improvement rather than a clock-speed artifact.

Multicore results are more nuanced. The 268V still wins every multicore test, but the margins vary considerably. Cinebench R15 multicore shows only a 1.9% difference (1616 versus 1585), while R20 reveals a 16.3% gap (6887 versus 5765). R23 sits between at 9.2% (10653 versus 9674.5). PassMark multithread shows the 268V at 19297 versus 16382, a 15.1% advantage. Interestingly, the 155U counters in PassMark integer math, scoring 57564 against the 268V's 42669—a 34.9% win for the older chip. This is the sole benchmark where the 155U emerges victorious, and it is a substantial one.

Data compression shows a modest 2.4% edge for the 268V (181443 versus 177122), while random string sorting sees the 268V ahead by 11.8% (22416 versus 19767). The overall average benchmark scores are remarkably close: the 155U averages 21174 across all tests, while the 268V averages 20897. This apparent contradiction—the 268V winning nearly every individual test yet having a lower average—reflects the 155U's massive integer math win pulling its average upward.

Where Each One Wins

The 268V is the clear choice for single-threaded workloads and most multithreaded tasks. Its consistent single-core dominance across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and PassMark indicates superior responsiveness in everyday applications that rely on one or two threads. For workloads involving extended instruction sets, floating-point calculations, encryption, or physics simulation, the 268V provides advantages ranging from roughly 18% to 35%. The 268V's performance in find prime numbers—nearly three times the 155U's score—suggests particular strength in integer-heavy, branch-predictor-sensitive tasks.

The 155U's sole victory in PassMark integer math is notable. Scoring 57564 against 42669, a 34.9% advantage, this result suggests that for certain integer-centric workloads—potentially compression algorithms, hash computations, or general arithmetic—the 155U's higher core count and thread count (12 cores, 14 threads versus 8 cores, 8 threads) can be leveraged effectively. However, this is an isolated outcome; the 268V still wins data compression and random string sorting, which are also integer-heavy operations. The 155U's win may therefore be specific to certain instruction patterns rather than a general integer performance advantage.

For users prioritizing single-thread speed, the 268V is unambiguous. For those running heavily parallel integer workloads that match the 155U's specific strength, the older chip offers a targeted benefit. The 268V also holds the edge in multithreaded performance across Cinebench and PassMark multithread, despite having 4 fewer cores and 6 fewer threads—a signal of its architectural efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different generations and fundamentally different design philosophies. The 155U belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1, built on the Meteor Lake architecture using Intel's 7 nm process node. The 268V is from Core Ultra Series 2, employing the Lunar Lake architecture fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm node. This process shrink is a primary driver of the 268V's efficiency gains.

Core configurations differ significantly. The 155U has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the 268V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Notably, the 268V lacks hyper-threading, whereas the 155U supports it. Despite this, the 268V outperforms in most multithreaded tests, indicating that its per-core throughput more than compensates for the lower thread count. The 268V also boosts higher (5.00 GHz versus 4.80 GHz) and has a higher base clock (2.20 GHz versus 1.70 GHz).

Cache hierarchies differ. The 155U features 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The 268V increases L1 to 192 KB per core and L2 to 2.5 MB per core, while maintaining 12 MB shared L3. The larger per-core caches likely contribute to the 268V's single-thread and integer performance advantages.

Memory support differs in documentation. The 155U lists DDR5 with bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the 268V's memory support is marked as unknown with no bandwidth figure provided. Both are dual-channel. PCIe capabilities differ: the 155U supports Gen 4 with 12 lanes, while the 268V supports Gen 5 with 4 lanes—a trade-off between generation speed and lane count.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 155U uses Arc Xe-LPG with 64 execution units, while the 268V features Arc 140V. The 268V's newer graphics architecture likely benefits from the same process and design improvements as the CPU cores. The 155U launched in December 2023 with a launch MSRP of $490; the 268V launched in September 2024 with no launch MSRP listed.

Power envelopes are close: the 155U has a 15 W TDP, the 268V a 17 W TDP. Both use Intel BGA sockets, but different ones—BGA 2049 for the 155U and BGA 2833 for the 268V—meaning they are not socket-compatible. Both are mobile market segments, currently active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V wins every single-threaded benchmark. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1921 versus 1666 for the 155U, a 13.3% margin. PassMark single-thread shows 4051 versus 3372, a 16.8% difference.

Q: Does the 155U's higher core count help in multithreaded workloads?

A: Generally no. Despite having 12 cores and 14 threads versus the 268V's 8 cores and 8 threads, the 155U loses all but one multithreaded test. The 268V leads Cinebench R20 multicore by 16.3% and PassMark multithread by 15.1%.

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

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the 268V scores 192 versus 65 for the 155U—a 66.1% advantage for the 268V.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the 155U wins?

A: Yes. The 155U wins PassMark integer math with a score of 57564 versus the 268V's 42669, a 34.9% advantage. This is its only victory in the 17 benchmark comparisons.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: Despite the 268V winning 16 of 17 individual tests, the 155U has a slightly higher average benchmark score: 21174 versus 20897 for the 268V. The 155U's large integer math win lifts its average.

Q: What are the key architecture differences?

A: The 155U is Meteor Lake on Intel's 7 nm node, while the 268V is Lunar Lake on TSMC's 3 nm node. The 268V has larger per-core caches (192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2) versus the 155U (112 KB L1, 2 MB L2), and supports PCIe Gen 5, while the 155U uses PCIe Gen 4.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 155U | Intel Core Ultra 7 268V |

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

| Series | Core Ultra Series 1 | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 12 | 8 |

| Threads | 14 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1700.00 MHz | 2200.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2049 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Architecture | Meteor Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L1 Cache | 112 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | Unknown |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 12 Lanes | Gen 5, 4 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG 64EU | Arc 140V |

| Release Date | 2023-12-13 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $490 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SRN6B | SRPMLSRPMX |

The Verdict

The data directs a clear recommendation toward the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V for most users. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with victories spanning single-threaded, multithreaded, encryption, floating-point, and physics workloads. Its single-core performance advantage of 13–19% across Cinebench versions indicates a generational IPC improvement that benefits virtually all applications. The 268V achieves this despite having 4 fewer cores and 6 fewer threads, underscoring the efficiency of the Lunar Lake architecture on TSMC's 3 nm node.

The 155U's lone win in PassMark integer math—a 34.9% margin—suggests a narrow but real niche. Workloads that specifically stress the 155U's integer execution pipeline, and which can utilize its 12 cores and 14 threads, may see better performance on the older chip. However, the 268V counters in other integer-heavy tests like data compression and random string sorting, making this niche quite specific.

The 268V's higher boost clock (5.00 GHz versus 4.80 GHz), larger per-core caches, and more advanced process node collectively explain its dominance. Its 17 W TDP versus 15 W for the 155U is a modest increase that seems justified given the performance gains. The 268V also brings PCIe Gen 5 support and a newer integrated graphics solution (Arc 140V versus Arc Xe-LPG 64EU).

For a mobile platform where single-thread responsiveness, efficiency, and broad workload coverage matter, the 268V is the superior choice based on benchmark data. The 155U remains relevant only for specialized integer-parallel tasks. The single benchmark win, while substantial, does not outweigh the 268V's comprehensive superiority across the remaining 16 tests. Users should note the 268V's unknown memory support documentation and lack of a listed launch MSRP, but these do not affect its measured performance advantages.