Intel Core Ultra 5 235TA

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235TA is a desktop processor from the Core Ultra Series 2 family, built on the Arrow Lake-S architecture and fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm process. It pairs 14 physical cores with 14 threads, a 2.20 GHz base clock and a 5.00 GHz boost clock, and it lands at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database — a squarely mid-pack position. Its launch MSRP is $269. The chip carries 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, has a 65W TDP, and integrates Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units. It was released on 2025-07-28 and remains in active production.

Platform and Compatibility

The 235TA uses Intel Socket 1851, the desktop socket for the Arrow Lake generation. Memory support is DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with a theoretical bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, which narrows its appeal for error-correcting workstation builds. PCIe connectivity comes directly from the CPU: Gen 5 with 20 lanes, so high-bandwidth GPUs and NVMe drives can run at PCIe 5.0 speeds without a chipset intermediary. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units provides display output and basic acceleration, meaning a discrete GPU is optional for non-gaming tasks.

The platform's upgrade path is tied to Socket 1851. The data does not list compatibility with other sockets, so the 235TA is anchored to this one platform. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not an option; performance is defined by the factory clocks rather than user tuning. The production status is Active, and the release date of 2025-07-28 places it in the current generation of desktop parts. The part number is SRWPP, which is the identifying code for this specific SKU.

Who Should Consider It

The 235TA targets the desktop segment with a 65W TDP, making it a fit for mainstream towers where power delivery and cooling are conventional. With 14 cores and 14 threads, it suits workloads that scale across many physical cores — rendering, compilation, and multitasking — while the 5.00 GHz boost clock serves single-thread-sensitive applications like games and office productivity. The integrated GPU covers basic display and media tasks, so a user who does not game heavily or render 3D scenes can build a system without a discrete card.

The 50th percentile ranking across all CPUs suggests a balanced mid-range position: not a flagship, not an entry part. The locked multiplier means enthusiasts who want manual overclocking should look elsewhere. The lack of ECC memory support also rules out certain server or scientific workloads that require memory integrity. For a general desktop user — browsing, office suites, light content creation, and moderate gaming with a discrete GPU — the 235TA sits in a sensible middle ground. The 14 threads equal the 14 cores, so thread-count expectations should be set accordingly: this is a many-core design without simultaneous multithreading, which is a deliberate architectural choice rather than a limitation.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The clock range is wide: 2.20 GHz base to 5.00 GHz boost. That 5.00 GHz ceiling is the headline for single-thread performance. Applications that depend on one or two threads — spreadsheet recalculation, web rendering, many game engines — will see the benefit of that boost. The 2.20 GHz base is the sustained floor, but boost behavior on modern parts means most short bursts reach near the top. The data does not specify how long the boost can be sustained, but the clock delta between base and boost is substantial, implying a design that reserves headroom for burst workloads.

Multi-thread performance comes from 14 physical cores, each with 3 MB of L2 and sharing 24 MB of L3. The per-core L1 is 192 KB. Critically, there is no hyperthreading: 14 cores means exactly 14 threads. In heavily threaded workloads, the 235TA relies on raw core count rather than simultaneous multithreading. The per-core L2 of 3 MB is generous and helps keep frequently used data close to the cores, reducing latency. The 24 MB shared L3 is the aggregate pool for all cores, and it is the last stop before main memory at 102.4 GB/s.

The split between single and multi-thread behavior is therefore a story of extremes: a very high boost for latency-sensitive tasks, and a wide array of physical cores for throughput. The 50th percentile overall ranking suggests the balance lands in the middle of the CPU population. For a workload that is purely single-threaded, the 5.00 GHz boost is the dominant factor; for a workload that scales to 14 threads, the core count and cache hierarchy matter more. The absence of SMT means that thread scheduling is straightforward — each thread maps to exactly one core — which can be an advantage in latency predictability.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field in the data is empty, so there are no direct rival comparison scores or delta percentages to report. What the data does provide is a percentile position: 50th among all CPUs. That places the 235TA at the median of the entire database — half of all CPUs score higher, half score lower. Without rival names or deltaPct values, any specific head-to-head comparison would be speculation, and this analysis will not invent them. The benchmark results array is also empty, with an average benchmark score of 0, indicating that no performance measurements have been recorded for this part yet. The analysis must therefore rely on architectural facts and the percentile signal, which together paint a picture of a mainstream desktop chip.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the 235TA is not yet populated. The avgBenchmarkScore is 0, and the benchmarks array contains no entries. The only quantitative performance signal is the percentileVsAllCpus value of 50, which places the chip exactly at the median of all CPUs in the database. That is a meaningful data point: it suggests the 235TA is neither a performance outlier nor a weakling, but a representative mid-range desktop part.

Interpreting the specifications in lieu of scores: the 5.00 GHz boost clock is competitive at the top end of the clock spectrum, and 14 cores at a 65W TDP implies a power-efficient design — the 3 nm TSMC process and the 17,800 million transistor count support that interpretation. The 24 MB of shared L3 is moderate for a desktop part, but the 3 MB per-core L2 is a strong feature for cache-sensitive workloads. Memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s over dual-channel DDR5 is standard for the platform. Without measured scores, the percentile is the only direct benchmark reference, and it points to a median standing. The empty benchmark array means future measurements will be needed to refine this position, but the architectural evidence aligns with a mid-range classification.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core Ultra 5 235TA use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 1851, the desktop socket for the Arrow Lake generation.

Q: Does the 235TA support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported; the chip uses DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning there is no hyperthreading — each core contributes exactly one thread.

Q: What is the boost clock speed?

A: The boost clock is 5.00 GHz, while the base clock is 2.20 GHz.

Q: Does it have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it integrates Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so manual overclocking is not supported.

Power and Thermals

The 235TA carries a 65W TDP. That is a modest thermal envelope for a 14-core desktop processor, and it implies that a capable air cooler is sufficient — no exotic liquid cooling is needed. The 3 nm TSMC process is the enabling factor: 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die at 65W suggests strong efficiency. The base clock of 2.20 GHz is conservative, which helps keep power draw low during sustained all-core loads, while the 5.00 GHz boost is reserved for short, single-thread bursts.

The locked multiplier reinforces the efficiency story: the chip is designed to run at factory specifications, not to be pushed beyond them. For system builders, the 65W class means standard tower coolers and mainstream power delivery are adequate. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics adds a small amount of heat, but the 65W figure already accounts for the full package. Overall, the thermal behavior is consistent with a mid-range desktop part that prioritizes a balance of performance and power. The 50th percentile ranking, combined with the 65W envelope, positions the 235TA as a chip that delivers median performance without demanding high-end cooling infrastructure.