CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 226V vs Intel Core Ultra 5 238V
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V is an 8-core mobile processor from the Lunar Lake family with on-package LPDDR5x-8533 memory limited to 16GB, designed for ultra-thin laptops prioritizing battery life and portability.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Adequate for office work, web browsing, and light productivity. The 16GB memory cap is the main limitation for heavier multitasking or content creation.
32GB memory makes a real difference for productivity, allowing more browser tabs, larger documents, and light creative work without the constraints of the 16GB variants.
Gaming
The Arc 130V iGPU handles casual and older games at 720p/1080p low, but this is not a gaming chip. The 4.5 GHz boost and 16GB memory limit further constrain gaming potential.
The higher 4.7 GHz boost and 32GB memory give it a small edge over lower V-series SKUs in gaming, but this remains a casual-gaming-at-best chip.
Efficiency
Exceptional performance-per-watt. The 17W TDP with on-package memory eliminates a major power consumer, enabling 15+ hours of real-world battery life in well-designed laptops.
Slightly less efficient than 16GB variants due to the additional memory power draw, but still exceptional by any standard.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 40 TOPS NPU 4 meets Microsoft's Copilot+ PC threshold
- Can run small language models locally
- Windows Studio Effects run entirely on NPU
- DLBoost 4.0 adds CPU-based AI acceleration
- 40 TOPS NPU 4 handles AI workloads efficiently
- 32GB memory allows running slightly larger AI models than 16GB variants
- Good for AI-enhanced photo editing and code assistance
- DLBoost 4.0 provides additional CPU-based AI acceleration
Content Creation
Gaming
- Arc 130V can handle eSports titles at playable frame rates
- 16GB memory limit restricts modern AAA game performance
- 4.5 GHz boost is lower than the 236V/238V's 4.7 GHz
- Not designed or marketed as a gaming processor
- 4.7 GHz boost helps in CPU-bound scenarios more than the 4.5 GHz variants
- 32GB memory prevents the bottlenecks that can occur with 16GB in some games
- Arc 130V handles eSports and older titles reasonably well
- Not a substitute for a gaming laptop with discrete graphics
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Exceptional battery life from 17W TDP
- 40 TOPS NPU 4 for AI features
- On-package memory reduces latency and power
- Arc 130V iGPU is a significant leap over Iris Xe
- Thin-and-light form factor enablement
Cons
- 16GB memory is soldered and not upgradeable
- 4.5 GHz boost is the lowest in the V-series
- Limited PCIe lanes restrict expandability
- Not suitable for heavy workloads
- BGA package means the entire laptop must be replaced to upgrade
Pros
- Best single-thread performance in the Ultra 5 V-series
- 32GB memory provides meaningful multitasking headroom
- 40 TOPS NPU for AI workloads
- Excellent battery life despite higher clocks
- Premium thin-and-light performance
Cons
- 32GB memory is still soldered and not upgradeable
- Significant price premium over 16GB variants in some laptops
- Only 8 cores limit heavy workloads
- Limited PCIe lanes for storage expansion
- Cannot match Arrow Lake desktop performance
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core Ultra 5 226V
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Ultra-Portable Laptop
- AMD Ryzen AI 7 360Rival
Copilot+ PC
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X PlusRival
ARM Laptop
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840URival
Thin & Light
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Budget Ultra-Portable
Same 16GB memory but with a higher 4.7 GHz boost for better performance in the same laptop category.
Compare head-to-headSame 4.5 GHz boost but with 32GB memory if you need more RAM for multitasking.
Compare head-to-head- Apple M3 MacBook AirAlt
Superior battery life and integrated software ecosystem, though at a higher price point.
More cores (14 vs 8) and upgradeable memory if you can accept a thicker, heavier laptop.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core Ultra 5 238V
- Apple M3 (16GB/24GB)Rival
Premium Ultra-Portable
- AMD Ryzen AI 7 360Rival
Copilot+ PC
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
ARM Premium Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258VRival
Same Platform, Higher Tier
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840URival
Traditional Thin & Light
Same 4.7 GHz boost but with 16GB memory, saving money if you don't need 32GB.
Compare head-to-head- Apple M3 MacBook AirAlt
Better battery life and ecosystem integration, though with a higher total cost of ownership.
Same 32GB memory but 4.5 GHz boost, if the price difference is substantial.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
An excellent choice for ultra-thin laptops where battery life is the top priority. The 16GB memory limit and 4.5 GHz boost cap its potential for heavier workloads, but for everyday mobility, it delivers exceptional efficiency.
Best for: Buying an ultra-thin, lightweight laptop where battery life and portability are the primary concerns, and your workload is limited to web, office, and light creative tasks.
Read the full reviewThe 238V is the optimal Lunar Lake Ultra 5 configuration, pairing the higher 4.7 GHz boost with 32GB of memory. It delivers the best balance of performance, battery life, and AI capability in the Ultra 5 V-series lineup.
Best for: Choosing a Lunar Lake laptop and wanting the best Ultra 5 experience with sufficient memory for productivity and light creative work.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 5 226V or Intel Core Ultra 5 238V?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core Ultra 5 226V or Intel Core Ultra 5 238V?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V leads with a gaming performance score of 50/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 226V and Intel Core Ultra 5 238V.
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 226V and Intel Core Ultra 5 238V use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the BGA 2833 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V (3,700), Intel Core Ultra 5 238V (3,950). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.