Intel Core Ultra 5 238V

Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is a mobile processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, built on the Lunar Lake architecture and manufactured on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It holds an average benchmark score of 4539, placing it in the 62nd percentile of all CPUs tested. This places it in a competitive mid-range tier for mobile computing, with performance that closely matches several established desktop and mobile chips from previous generations.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor uses the Intel BGA 2833 socket, which is a ball-grid array design intended for soldered mobile installations. This means the chip is not upgradeable in a traditional sense; it is permanently attached to the motherboard. The platform is based on the Lunar Lake architecture, which is the specific design for this generation of Intel Core Ultra processors. The production status is listed as Active, and the release date was 2024-09-23.

Memory support is described as dependent on the motherboard, with the memory bus being dual-channel. The system supports PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes available from the CPU. The upgrade path is limited by the BGA socket, so users should consider the entire platform's capabilities at purchase time, as the CPU cannot be swapped for a different model later. The chip has 8 cores and 8 threads, indicating no hyper-threading, and it includes integrated graphics in the form of Arc 130V. The part numbers are listed as SRPN5 and SRPN4, and the multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking.

Power and Thermals

The thermal design power (TDP) is 17 watts, which classifies this as a low-power, ultra-portable processor. This TDP level implies that a capable air cooler, such as a thin and light laptop's cooling solution, is sufficient for sustained operation. The low power draw is a defining characteristic of the Lunar Lake architecture, which prioritizes efficiency for mobile workloads.

The 3 nm manufacturing process from TSMC contributes to the efficiency profile, allowing the chip to deliver competitive performance within a modest thermal envelope. The data does not include specific wattage figures beyond the TDP, but the 17-watt rating places it in a class where passive cooling or small fans can manage heat output in slim chassis designs. The locked multiplier reinforces that this is not a chip designed for enthusiast overclocking, but rather for stable, efficient operation in a portable system.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The benchmark results show a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 2215, while the multi-core score is 15692. This represents a ratio of roughly 7:1 in favor of multi-core scaling, which is typical for a processor with 8 physical cores. The single-core score of 2215 in R23 is strong for a 17-watt part, indicating excellent per-core efficiency, likely due to the high boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 930 and the multi-core score is 6590, showing similar scaling. The R15 results show a single-core score of 223 and a multi-core score of 1581. The multi-core scores suggest that the processor can utilize all 8 cores effectively, but the absence of hyper-threading means the thread count equals the core count at 8. This impacts heavily threaded workloads, where processors with 16 threads would have an advantage.

For real-world applications, the strong single-thread performance means tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and light coding will feel responsive. The multi-thread performance is adequate for moderate content creation, such as photo editing or compiling small projects, but it will not match higher-core-count desktop parts in rendering or heavy video work. The balance favors bursty, single-thread-heavy tasks over sustained all-core loads.

How It Compares

The nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H, which has an average score of 4537, representing a delta of 0% compared to the Ultra 5 238V's 4539. The performance is essentially identical, meaning the two chips are interchangeable in overall benchmark results. The Ryzen 9 4900H is an older mobile part, so the comparison shows that the Ultra 5 achieves similar throughput with a significantly lower TDP (17 watts versus the Ryzen's higher rating, though the exact figure is not in the data).

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 scores 4532, with a delta of 0.2% relative to the Ultra 5. This is a negligible difference, placing the two chips in the same performance tier. The V2748 is an embedded processor, so the comparison highlights that the Ultra 5 mobile chip can match industrial-grade parts in raw compute, while offering the integrated Arc 130V graphics that the embedded chip may lack.

The Intel Core i7-6950X, a high-end desktop processor from several years ago, scores 4530, also with a 0.2% delta. The Ultra 5 matches this desktop part in average benchmarks, which is notable given the i7-6950X has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Ultra 5 achieves parity with fewer cores and threads, relying on its higher clock speeds and newer architecture.

The final rival is the Intel Core i9-9900KF, which scores 4558, giving a delta of -0.4% relative to the Ultra 5. This means the i9-9900KF is slightly faster, but the margin is under half a percent, which is within run-to-run variance. The i9-9900KF is a desktop chip with a much higher power draw, so the Ultra 5's near-match performance at a fraction of the power budget is a strong efficiency result.

Who Should Consider It

This processor is well-suited for users who prioritize portability and battery life without sacrificing responsiveness. The 17-watt TDP makes it ideal for ultrabooks and thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is minimal. The strong single-thread scores, evidenced by 2215 in Cinebench R23, make it a good fit for office productivity, spreadsheet work, and general multitasking, where the 4.70 GHz boost clock provides snappy application launches and smooth interface interactions.

For gaming, the integrated Arc 130V graphics will handle esports titles and older games at lower settings, but the lack of a discrete GPU and the 8-thread limit will constrain modern AAA gaming performance. The data does not include specific gaming benchmarks, but the multi-core scores suggest the CPU side is sufficient for most games, while the iGPU is the limiting factor.

Content creators who work with photos or light video editing will find the multi-core performance adequate, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15692. The 8 MB of shared L3 cache and 2.5 MB per-core L2 cache support moderate data sets, but users doing heavy 3D rendering or 4K video encoding should look at higher-tier parts. The processor is also a reasonable choice for developers compiling code, where the single-thread speed matters for build times on smaller projects.

The 62nd percentile ranking means it outperforms the majority of CPUs, but it is not a top-tier part. Users who need maximum multi-thread throughput for professional workloads should consider chips with more cores and threads. However, for a mobile device that needs to balance performance with battery life, the Ultra 5 238V delivers a competitive package, matching the average scores of several desktop processors from previous generations while operating at a fraction of their power consumption. The locked multiplier and BGA socket mean it is a complete platform decision, not a component to be upgraded later.