CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 238V vs Core Ultra 7 258V
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is the top-tier Ultra 5 Lunar Lake mobile processor, combining a 4.7 GHz boost clock with 32GB of on-package LPDDR5x-8533 memory and a 40 TOPS NPU for premium thin-and-light laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
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.
32GB of RAM ensures excellent multitasking capabilities.
Gaming
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.
Good for light gaming, though slightly lower clocks than 268V marginally impact FPS.
Virtualization
Sufficient memory and cores for light VM usage.
Efficiency
Slightly less efficient than 16GB variants due to the additional memory power draw, but still exceptional by any standard.
Top-tier power efficiency identical to other Lunar Lake chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
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
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
The 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 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, Intel Core Ultra 5 238V 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 is faster for gaming, Intel Core Ultra 5 238V or Core Ultra 7 258V?
For gaming, the Core Ultra 7 258V leads with a gaming performance score of 68/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 238V and Core Ultra 7 258V.
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 238V and Core Ultra 7 258V use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core Ultra 5 238V: BGA 2833, Core Ultra 7 258V: Intel BGA 2833), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
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 238V (3,950), Core Ultra 7 258V (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.