Intel Core Ultra 5 236V

The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V is a Lunar Lake mobile processor built on TSMC's 3 nm process, featuring 8 cores and 8 threads with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. It carries a 17 W TDP, integrates Arc 130V graphics, and is packaged on the Intel BGA 2833 socket. In the benchmark database, it holds the 62nd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 4615 across Cinebench tests. The nearest rivals—Intel Core i5-1340P, i5-1350P, Xeon E-2356G, and Core i9-10900—are separated by margins of less than 1.2% in average score, placing this part in a tightly contested performance band.

Platform and Compatibility

The Ultra 5 236V uses the Intel BGA 2833 socket, a ball-grid array package designed for mobile systems. As a soldered part, it is not intended for user replacement; the upgrade path is tied to the entire platform rather than the CPU socket. The processor is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, codenamed Lunar Lake, and is currently marked as Active in production. It was released on September 23, 2024.

Memory support is listed as "unknown" and depends on the motherboard, though the memory bus is dual-channel. ECC memory is not supported. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU, which is a modest allocation for a mobile part, likely intended for a discrete GPU or high-speed storage. The integrated graphics is Arc 130V, which shares the same power and thermal envelope as the CPU cores.

The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not an option. The part number is SRPN2SRPN3. These platform characteristics position the Ultra 5 236V as a thin-and-light mobile processor, where the BGA socket and low TDP are consistent with a sealed, integrated design.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

Cinebench results reveal a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 2252, while the multi-core score is 15957, yielding a ratio of approximately 7.1. This ratio is lower than the core count of 8, indicating that all-core scaling is not linear. The base clock of 2.10 GHz and boost clock of 4.70 GHz suggest that the processor can reach high single-thread frequencies, but sustained all-core operation is constrained by the 17 W TDP.

The single-core score of 2252 in R23 is strong for a low-power mobile chip, reflecting the efficiency of the Lunar Lake architecture and the 3 nm process. In contrast, the multi-core score of 15957, while respectable, is limited by thermal and power headroom. The R20 scores follow a similar pattern: 945 single-core and 6701 multi-core, with a ratio of 7.1. The R15 scores are 226 single-core and 1608 multi-core, a ratio of 7.1 as well. This consistent ratio across Cinebench versions indicates that the CPU's behavior is stable under varying workloads.

For real-world applications, this means the Ultra 5 236V will excel in tasks that rely on single-thread performance, such as web browsing, office productivity, and light content creation. Multi-threaded workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering will see less scaling than the core count suggests, but the absolute performance remains competitive within its power class.

Power and Thermals

The 17 W TDP is the defining power characteristic of this processor. It is a low thermal design power, appropriate for fanless or ultra-thin systems, though the actual cooling solution depends on the chassis design. The integrated Arc 130V GPU adds to the thermal load, but the entire package is designed to operate within the 17 W envelope. This low TDP allows for compact cooling solutions, such as small heat pipes or vapor chambers, without the need for active fans in some configurations.

The boost clock of 4.70 GHz is achievable for short bursts, but sustained multi-core loads will likely see frequencies below the maximum due to power limits. The 3 nm process from TSMC contributes to efficiency, enabling high clock speeds at low power. The lack of an unlocked multiplier further reinforces the design goal of efficiency over overclocking.

Thermal management is critical for maintaining performance, as the 17 W TDP means that even small increases in power draw can affect temperatures. The data shows that the CPU delivers competitive benchmark scores within this power class, making it a strong candidate for systems where battery life and heat dissipation are priorities.

How It Compares

Intel Core i5-1340P

The i5-1340P is the closest rival, with an average benchmark score of 4612 compared to the Ultra 5 236V's 4615, a delta of +0.1% in favor of the Ultra 5. This is essentially a statistical tie. Both processors occupy the same performance tier, but the Ultra 5 achieves this with a much lower TDP (17 W vs. the i5-1340P's unspecified TDP, which is not in the fact pack). The Ultra 5's efficiency advantage is notable, though the i5-1340P may have different core/thread counts that affect multi-threaded scaling.

Intel Core i5-1350P

The i5-1350P has an average score of 4667, which is 1.1% higher than the Ultra 5's 4615. This makes the i5-1350P the fastest rival in this group. The Ultra 5 trails by a small margin, but the difference is within the noise of typical benchmark variance. The i5-1350P likely has a higher TDP, allowing for more sustained performance, but the Ultra 5 counters with superior single-thread scores (2252 vs. an unknown for the i5-1350P). In workloads that favor single-thread responsiveness, the Ultra 5 may feel faster despite the lower aggregate score.

Intel Xeon E-2356G

The Xeon E-2356G posts an average score of 4561, which is 1.2% lower than the Ultra 5's 4615. This is a narrow lead for the Ultra 5. The Xeon is a workstation-oriented part, likely with a higher TDP and different feature set (e.g., ECC support, which the Ultra 5 lacks). The Ultra 5's advantage in average score suggests that its efficient architecture compensates for a lower power envelope. In single-thread performance, the Ultra 5's 2252 R23 score likely exceeds the Xeon's, but the Xeon may offer more consistent multi-thread performance.

Intel Core i9-10900

The i9-10900 has an average score of 4559, also 1.2% lower than the Ultra 5. This is a desktop processor from an older generation, with a much higher TDP and more cores/threads (not specified in the pack). Despite its size, the i9-10900 barely trails the Ultra 5 in average score, highlighting the efficiency gains of Lunar Lake. The Ultra 5's single-thread performance is likely superior, while the i9-10900 may have an edge in heavily threaded workloads if its core count is higher. The small delta indicates that the Ultra 5 can compete with older desktop parts in mixed workloads.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 4615 places the Ultra 5 236V in the 62nd percentile of all CPUs. This is a solid mid-range position, but the nearest rivals are clustered within a 1.2% band, indicating that the processor is not a standout in absolute performance. Instead, its value lies in the combination of low power and competitive scores.

In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 15957 and single-core score of 2252 are the most recent data points. The multi-core score is 7.1 times the single-core score, a ratio that reflects the 8-core/8-thread design. Compared to the nearest rival i5-1340P, which has an average score only 0.1% lower, the Ultra 5's R23 scores are not directly comparable because we lack the rival's Cinebench numbers. However, the average score delta suggests that the two parts are effectively equal in overall performance.

Against the i5-1350P, the Ultra 5 trails by 1.1%. This is the largest gap among the rivals, but still small. The i5-1350P likely has a higher TDP, allowing for more sustained all-core performance, which would show in multi-threaded benchmarks. The Ultra 5's single-thread score of 2252 in R23 is strong, and it may lead the i5-1350P in that metric, but the average score captures a blend of workloads.

The Xeon E-2356G and Core i9-10900 are both 1.2% behind the Ultra 5. These are older or workstation-oriented parts with higher power draws. The fact that the Ultra 5 edges them out in average score, despite its 17 W TDP, underscores the architectural improvements in Lunar Lake. The Cinebench R20 and R15 scores follow the same pattern: the Ultra 5's multi-core scores (6701 and 1608, respectively) are consistent with its R23 result, and the single-core scores (945 and 226) show a similar ratio.

The deltaPct values from the nearestRivals list are the most precise comparisons available. The Ultra 5 is 0.1% faster than the i5-1340P, 1.1% slower than the i5-1350P, and 1.2% faster than both the Xeon E-2356G and i9-10900. These margins are negligible in real-world usage; they fall within run-to-run variation. The practical takeaway is that the Ultra 5 236V delivers performance on par with a range of mid-range processors, but with a dramatically lower power envelope, making it an efficient choice for mobile systems where battery life and thermals are critical.