Intel Core Ultra 5 226V

The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V is a mobile processor built on the Lunar Lake architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It features 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, and it carries an integrated Arc 130V GPU. The data places this chip at the 80th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 22250, positioning it as a solid mainstream mobile option.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Core Ultra 5 226V presents a distinctive performance profile when comparing its single-thread and multi-thread results. In Cinebench R23, the chip scores 2228 in single-core and 15787 in multi-core, which yields a multi-to-single core ratio of approximately 7.1x. Given that the chip has exactly 8 cores with no hyper-threading, this ratio is close to the theoretical maximum of 8x, indicating that the multi-core score scales almost linearly with core count. This suggests the processor sustains its single-thread performance across all cores simultaneously, a sign of efficient power delivery and thermal management within its 17 W TDP envelope.

For real-world workloads, this behavior implies that lightly threaded applications—such as web browsing, office productivity, and legacy software—will benefit from the strong single-core showing. The Cinebench R15 single-core score of 224 and R20 single-core score of 935 reinforce this trend, showing consistent single-thread capability across different benchmark generations. Conversely, heavily threaded tasks like video rendering or code compilation will see near-ideal scaling, meaning the 8-core design punches at its full weight without the diminishing returns often seen in hyper-threaded parts.

The PassMark suite offers further insight. The single-thread score of 3895 is notably strong, while the multithread score of 18589 shows a ratio of about 4.8x. This lower ratio compared to Cinebench suggests that PassMark's multithreaded workload may not fully utilize all cores or may be more memory-latency sensitive. However, the integer math score of 39680 and floating-point math score of 53826 indicate solid arithmetic throughput, while the extended instructions score of 15460 shows competent SIMD execution. The find prime numbers score of 170 is comparatively modest, which is typical for a mobile chip that prioritizes power efficiency over raw integer iteration speed.

Power and Thermals

The Core Ultra 5 226V carries a TDP of just 17 W, classifying it as an ultra-low-power mobile processor. This TDP class is critical for thin-and-light laptops, where thermal headroom is limited and battery life is paramount. The 3 nm process node from TSMC is instrumental in achieving this efficiency, as the smaller transistor geometry reduces switching losses and leakage current, allowing the chip to maintain competitive clock speeds without excessive heat generation.

For cooling, this TDP implies that a capable air cooler—such as a slim heat pipe assembly or a small vapor chamber—is sufficient. There is no need for exotic liquid cooling or large heatsinks. The boost clock of 4.50 GHz is attainable within this power envelope for short bursts, but sustained multi-core loads may cause the chip to settle at a lower clock to respect the 17 W limit. The architecture's design, with 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, helps mitigate memory latency, reducing the need for high sustained clocks to maintain performance.

The absence of ECC memory support and the fact that the memory bus is dual-channel (with memory support depending on the motherboard) further align with the power-conscious design. The integrated Arc 130V GPU handles graphics duties, offloading work from the CPU and allowing the main cores to focus on compute tasks. In thermally constrained chassis, the data shows the chip can deliver 15787 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is a strong result for a 17 W part, indicating that the thermal design allows for near-peak sustained performance in realistic laptop enclosures.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data paints a clear picture of the Core Ultra 5 226V's standing. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 15787 is the headline number, while the single-core score of 2228 places it in a competitive range for mobile chips. The R20 results show 6630 multi-core and 935 single-core, and the older R15 test yields 1591 multi-core and 224 single-core. These scores are consistent across generations, suggesting the chip's performance is stable and not benchmark-specific.

In PassMark, the chip achieves a multithread score of 18589 and a single-thread score of 3895. The data compression score of 178892 is particularly high, indicating strong memory bandwidth utilization and cache efficiency. Data encryption scores 13189, which is respectable for a mobile part. The random string sorting score of 21755 and physics score of 1507 round out the suite, with the latter being a moderate result that reflects the 17 W power limit in sustained physics simulations.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the Core Ultra 5 226V is essentially tied at the top. It is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-10700K, which is a desktop part from an older generation, making this a notable achievement for a low-power mobile chip. Against the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U, the 226V is 0.4% behind, a negligible margin that falls within run-to-run variance. The Intel Core Ultra 7 165U is 0.6% ahead, and the Intel Core i5-12500H is 0.9% ahead. These deltas are all under 1%, meaning the 226V performs within a razor-thin margin of its closest competitors, despite differences in architecture, core counts, and TDP classes.

How It Compares

Intel Core i7-10700K: The 226V edges out this desktop chip by 0.3%, with average scores of 22250 versus 22185. This is striking because the i7-10700K is a high-power desktop processor, while the 226V operates at just 17 W. The data indicates that the modern 3 nm process and newer architecture allow the mobile chip to match an older desktop part in aggregate benchmark performance, though the desktop chip may excel in sustained multi-core workloads where power limits are less restrictive.

AMD Ryzen 5 7540U: The 226V trails this AMD mobile chip by 0.4%, with the Ryzen scoring 22346. This margin is negligible, and the two chips are effectively interchangeable in average performance. The 7540U is a competing mobile processor, and the near-tie suggests that buyers should look at other factors like integrated graphics or platform features rather than raw CPU benchmarks to differentiate.

Intel Core Ultra 7 165U: The 226V is 0.6% behind the Ultra 7 165U, which scores 22391. Despite the Ultra 7 name suggesting a higher tier, the performance difference is minimal. The 165U may have a different core configuration or clock strategy, but the data shows the 226V holds its own within a rounding error of the more premium part.

Intel Core i5-12500H: The 226V trails this chip by 0.9%, with the i5-12500H scoring 22451. The 12500H is a higher-TDP mobile processor, typically found in performance laptops, so a sub-1% deficit is impressive for the 226V's efficiency-focused design. In real-world usage, this difference would be imperceptible, and the 226V's lower power draw may offer better battery life in exchange.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V?

A: The average benchmark score is 22250, which places the chip at the 80th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How does the Core Ultra 5 226V compare to the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U?

A: The 226V trails the Ryzen 5 7540U by 0.4% in average score, with the Ryzen scoring 22346 versus 22250. This is a negligible difference.

Q: What are the Cinebench R23 scores for this processor?

A: The Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 15787, and the single-core score is 2228.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 5 226V support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The memory support depends on the motherboard, with a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: What is the TDP of the Core Ultra 5 226V?

A: The TDP is 17 W, which is indicative of an ultra-low-power mobile processor suitable for thin-and-light laptops.

Q: What is the boost clock speed of this processor?

A: The boost clock is 4.50 GHz, while the base clock is 2.10 GHz. The chip has 8 cores and 8 threads.