CPU Comparison
AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 vs Core Ultra 7 258V
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 is a mainstream mobile APU featuring an 8-core hybrid Zen 5 architecture, integrated Radeon 860M graphics, and a 50 TOPS NPU, designed for thin-and-light laptops seeking AI capabilities without sacrificing battery life.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
8 cores provide smooth performance for office tasks, heavy browsing, and light content creation.
32GB of RAM ensures excellent multitasking capabilities.
Gaming
The Radeon 860M handles esports titles at 1080p and less demanding games, but struggles with AAA titles at high settings.
Good for light gaming, though slightly lower clocks than 268V marginally impact FPS.
Virtualization
Supports basic VMs and containers, but with a 15–54 W power envelope and no ECC on the consumer SKU, it’s not ideal for heavy server-style virtualization.
Sufficient memory and cores for light VM usage.
Efficiency
The 4nm process and Zen 5c cores ensure excellent battery life for all-day mobile use.
Top-tier power efficiency identical to other Lunar Lake chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 50 TOPS NPU allows running Windows Studio Effects (background blur, etc.).
- Can run small LLMs locally for text generation.
- Much more efficient for AI tasks than using the CPU or GPU.
- 47 TOPS NPU is more than enough for Copilot+
- Total 115 TOPS platform performance
- 32GB RAM is highly beneficial for local AI models
Content Creation
Gaming
- Radeon 860M (8 CU) is a step up from basic graphics but not a gaming powerhouse.
- Suitable for 1080p Low or Medium in older or esports titles.
- Supports AMD FSR for improved frame rates.
- Arc 140V handles esports titles well
- Slightly lower dynamic GPU frequency (1950 MHz)
- Not intended for AAA gaming at high settings
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 50 TOPS NPU for AI tasks.
- Excellent power efficiency.
- 8 capable CPU cores.
- Radeon 860M graphics are a step up from basic iGPUs.
- Supports LPDDR5X-8533.
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy gaming.
- 8 cores may limit heavy multi-threaded workloads.
- PCIe 4.0 only.
- Locked multiplier.
- Lower L3 cache than Ryzen AI 9 models.
Pros
- 32GB of integrated memory
- Excellent power efficiency
- 47 TOPS NPU for AI
- Great value compared to 268V
- Arc 140V graphics
Cons
- Slightly lower clocks than 268V
- Non-upgradeable memory
- Limited to 8 threads
Competitors & Alternatives
AMD Ryzen AI 7 445
- Intel Core Ultra 5 225VRival
Mainstream Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258VRival
Premium Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X PlusRival
AI PC
- Intel Core i5-1340PRival
Mainstream Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Premium Mobile
- AMD Ryzen AI 7 450Alt
Offers slightly higher clock speeds if you need maximum CPU performance from this tier.
- AMD Ryzen 7 8845HSAlt
Previous generation with similar CPU performance but lacking the NPU and slower memory.
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Alt
Step up to 10 cores and better graphics if you need more multi-threaded power.
- AMD Ryzen 5 8645HSAlt
Budget alternative if AI features are not a priority.
Core Ultra 7 258V
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X PlusRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 228VRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840URival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 268VAlt
For slightly higher clock speeds and 1 extra NPU TOP.
- Intel Core Ultra 7 266VAlt
If 16GB of RAM is enough for your needs.
- Apple MacBook Air M3Alt
For a different premium OS experience.
For a cheaper Lunar Lake option.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A well-rounded mainstream APU that successfully integrates a 50 TOPS NPU into the mid-range, offering strong efficiency and capable integrated graphics for the typical user.
Best for: Buying a mainstream thin-and-light laptop where battery life and AI capabilities are more important than high-end gaming performance.
Read the full reviewThe 258V offers nearly identical performance to the 268V at a potentially lower price, making it a smart choice for 32GB ultrabooks.
Best for: The Core Ultra 7 258V is exclusively found in pre-built laptops and is a fantastic choice for users who need a highly portable machine with plenty of memory. If you want 32 GB of RAM for multitasking, coding, or light creative work, but don't necessarily need the absolute maximum clock speeds of the 268V, the 258V offers excellent value. It is perfect for students, professionals, and writers who want all-day battery life without worrying about running out of RAM. Just remember that neither the CPU nor the memory can be upgraded. If you find a laptop with the 258V at a good price, it is a highly recommended purchase for everyday productivity and AI tasks.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 or Core Ultra 7 258V?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core Ultra 7 258V comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which uses less power?
The Core Ultra 7 258V has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 (28 W), Core Ultra 7 258V (17 W).
Do AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 and Core Ultra 7 258V use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (AMD Ryzen AI 7 445: FP8, Core Ultra 7 258V: Intel BGA 2833), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Core Ultra 7 258V has the most cores. Core counts: AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 (6 cores), Core Ultra 7 258V (8 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core Ultra 7 258V posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core Ultra 7 258V (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.