CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 228V vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is a prominent entry in the Lunar Lake lineup, designed to bring exceptional energy efficiency to mobile computing. Released in September 2024, it shares the same foundational architecture as the 236V but aims at users requiring more memory capacity. It integrates 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores, operating at a base clock of 2.1 GHz and boosting up to 4.5 GHz. Manufactured on TSMC’s 3nm process, the chip achieves a remarkable balance between power draw and computational throughput. Unlike its sibling, the 228V comes equipped with 32GB of on-package LPDDR5x memory running at 8533 MT/s, eliminating the need for separate RAM modules on the motherboard. The integrated Arc 130V graphics and a 40 TOPS NPU ensure robust performance for AI-accelerated tasks and moderate gaming. With a 17W base TDP, it is a prime candidate for premium ultraportables targeting professionals who need all-day battery life alongside substantial memory headroom.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
The 32GB of RAM ensures extremely smooth multitasking and productivity application performance.
Single-threaded performance is competitive with other mid-range mobile CPUs, and the 12 cores provide solid multi-core throughput for typical productivity workloads.
Gaming
Handles casual and older games well at 1080p, but lacks the power for modern AAA titles at high settings.
Arc B370 iGPU is a major improvement over older Intel graphics, enabling 1080p gaming at medium settings in many titles, but still behind low-end discrete GPUs like the RTX 4050 in more demanding games.
Virtualization
The large memory pool allows for comfortable running of multiple virtual machines or containers.
Capable of running light VMs and containers, but not designed for heavy workstation-class virtualization; memory and core counts are modest for that use case.
Efficiency
Industry-leading power efficiency ensures long battery life even under moderate workloads.
At 25 W base power, Panther Lake is far more efficient than older Intel H-series chips; real-world battery life will depend heavily on OEM power tuning.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 40 TOPS NPU enables efficient local AI processing
- Fully supports Microsoft Copilot+ features
- Handles AI-enhanced creative tools smoothly
- Dedicated NPU 5 with 47 INT8 TOPS accelerates Windows Studio Effects and local AI models.
- CPU and GPU also support DL Boost and XMX-based AI workloads, but TOPS are lower than on higher-end Ultra 7/9 models.
- Well suited for consumer AI features and small models, not for training or large-scale inference.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Arc 130V graphics provide smooth 1080p performance in esports titles
- Supports hardware ray tracing
- Not recommended for heavy 3D gaming
- Arc B370 10 Xe3 cores at up to 2.4 GHz deliver roughly 70% more performance than Intel’s previous Arc 140V/140T iGPUs and comfortably outpace AMD’s Radeon 890M in synthetic tests.
- At 35 W, the B370’s Time Spy Graphics score is around 5,933 points, placing it between older RTX 3050 Ti and RTX 4050 laptop GPUs in some scenarios.
- Best suited for 1080p medium settings; more demanding AAA titles may require resolution scaling or lower presets.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Massive 32GB of fast on-package memory
- Exceptional power efficiency
- 40 TOPS NPU for AI workloads
- Strong integrated graphics
- Silent operation capability
Cons
- Memory is non-upgradable
- Lower boost clock than the 236V variant
- No Hyper-Threading limits peak multi-threading
- Limited PCIe lane expansion
Pros
- Major leap in integrated GPU performance vs older Intel iGPUs
- Good single-threaded performance for everyday and lightly threaded workloads
- 12-core design provides solid multi-core throughput for the TDP
- NPU accelerates AI features without heavily loading CPU or GPU
- 25 W base power enables thin-and-light designs with decent battery life
- Modern I/O: PCIe 5.0, Thunderbolt 4, LPDDR5X, Wi-Fi 7 (platform dependent)
Cons
- Not intended for heavy sustained multi-threaded workloads like high-end rendering
- iGPU still falls short of low-end discrete GPUs like RTX 4050 in more demanding games
- Locked multiplier limits overclocking headroom
- Actual performance and thermals depend heavily on laptop OEM power tuning
- New platform; early firmware and drivers may still be maturing
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core Ultra 5 228V
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258VRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840URival
Mobile
- Core Ultra 5 236VAlt
A cheaper alternative if 16GB of RAM is sufficient and slightly higher clocks are desired.
Offers higher core counts and faster clocks for premium performance.
Compare head-to-head- Apple MacBook Air M3Alt
An alternative for users invested in the macOS ecosystem.
- Snapdragon X PlusAlt
A power-efficient ARM alternative for Windows laptops.
Intel Core Ultra 5 338H
- AMD Ryzen AI 7 350Rival
Mid-Range Mobile AI APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 7 255HRival
Higher-End Panther Lake Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840HSRival
Mainstream Mobile APU
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100Rival
Premium Arm-Based Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 228VRival
Lower-Power Lunar Lake Mobile
- Laptop with RTX 4050/5050 discrete GPUAlt
If gaming is your priority and you can tolerate a thicker chassis, a low-end discrete GPU will outperform the Arc B370 iGPU in more demanding titles.
Our Verdict on Each
An excellent choice for professionals needing a power-efficient laptop with a large pool of fast integrated memory, though its slightly lower clock speeds compared to the 236V are a fair trade-off.
Best for: Premium ultraportable for professionals needing large memory capacity
Read the full reviewA well-rounded mid-range mobile SoC that finally delivers competitive integrated graphics and solid multi-core CPU performance in a reasonable power envelope, though its value depends heavily on laptop design and pricing.
Best for: You want a thin-and-light laptop with strong integrated graphics and AI features for light gaming, content creation, and everyday work, and you value battery life more than maximum CPU/GPU performance.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 5 228V or Intel Core Ultra 5 338H?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V comes out ahead with a score of 8.9/10. 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 228V or Intel Core Ultra 5 338H?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 228V and Intel Core Ultra 5 338H.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 5 228V (17 W), Intel Core Ultra 5 338H (25 W).
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 228V and Intel Core Ultra 5 338H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core Ultra 5 228V: Intel BGA 2833, Intel Core Ultra 5 338H: FCBGA2540), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core Ultra 5 228V (8 cores), Intel Core Ultra 5 338H (12 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core Ultra 5 228V (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.