CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 332 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 335
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 5 332 is a 6‑core, 6‑thread mainstream mobile SoC from Intel’s Panther Lake (Core Ultra Series 3) family, built on the Intel 18A process and designed primarily for business and professional laptops with integrated Xe3 graphics, NPU5 AI acceleration, and vPro manageability.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 46 TOPS NPU5 for efficient on‑device AI
- Good for Windows Studio Effects and local AI assistants
- Not aimed at large‑scale model training
- NPU 5 with up to 50 TOPS INT8 is tailored for on‑device AI features like Windows Studio Effects and local LLM assistants.
- CPU + GPU + NPU together enable modest AI workloads, but not a replacement for high‑end discrete AI accelerators.
Content Creation
Gaming
- 2‑core Xe3 iGPU is entry‑level for gaming
- Suitable for eSports and older titles at 1080p
- Not intended for AAA gaming at high settings
- Xe3 iGPU significantly better than older UHD Graphics but not intended for serious gaming.
- Esports titles (Valorant, CS2, LoL) generally playable at 1080p medium/high.
- AAA titles typically require low settings and often upscaling for playable frame rates.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Strong AI capabilities with 46 TOPS NPU5
- vPro enterprise security and manageability
- Efficient 18A process for good battery life
- Modern I/O including PCIe 5.0, Thunderbolt 4, Wi‑Fi 7
- Full AV1 encode/decode and modern display outputs
Cons
- Only 6 cores / 6 threads limits heavy multi‑tasking and rendering
- 2‑core Xe3 iGPU is entry‑level for gaming and GPU compute
- No overclocking headroom
- Higher‑core Panther Lake SKUs offer significantly more multi‑threaded performance
Pros
- Intel 18A brings improved performance per watt for mobile designs.
- 8 cores (4P + 4LP) handle everyday multitasking and light parallel workloads well.
- NPU 5 enables modern on‑device AI features without heavily loading CPU or GPU.
- Xe3 iGPU with ray tracing and modern media engines is a big step over older UHD Graphics.
- 25–55 W configurable TDP fits a wide range of laptop form factors.
Cons
- Only 8 threads; no SMT limits heavy multi‑threaded throughput versus 12–16 thread rivals.
- Gaming capability is still modest; not a replacement for a discrete GPU.
- Soldered BGA package means no CPU upgrades; you’re stuck with what the laptop ships with.
- Maximum 128 GB memory and 12 PCIe lanes may feel restrictive for high‑end workloads.
- New platform; early firmware and driver quirks are possible in first‑generation designs.
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core Ultra 5 332
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840HSRival
Mainstream Mobile (Zen 4, 8 cores / 16 threads)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 335Rival
Mainstream Mobile (4P+4LP‑E, 8 cores)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 325Rival
Mainstream Mobile (4P+4LP‑E, 8 cores, higher clocks)
- AMD Ryzen 5 8640HSRival
Mainstream Mobile (Zen 4, 6 cores / 12 threads)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 PlusRival
Arm‑based Always Connected PC
- Intel Core Ultra 7 355HAlt
Higher‑end Panther Lake SKU with more cores and a stronger iGPU if you need better creator or gaming performance.
- Intel Core Ultra 5 225UAlt
Lower‑power Lunar Lake alternative if you prioritize maximum battery life over AI TOPS and vPro features.
Our Verdict on Each
A capable, efficiency‑focused mobile chip for business and mainstream laptops, offering strong AI and security features via NPU5 and vPro, but not aimed at heavy creators or gamers who need more cores and a stronger iGPU.
Best for: Business or mainstream laptop with vPro, where AI features, security, and battery life matter more than heavy multi‑thread performance or high‑end gaming.
Read the full reviewA capable mid-range mobile SoC that balances performance, power, and AI features for mainstream laptops, though gamers and heavy creators will still want a dGPU.
Best for: Business and productivity‑focused thin‑and‑light laptops where AI features, modern connectivity, and integrated graphics matter more than heavy gaming or multi‑GPU workloads.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core Ultra 5 332 or Intel Core Ultra 5 335?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 335 leads with a gaming performance score of 72/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 332 and Intel Core Ultra 5 335.
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 332 and Intel Core Ultra 5 335 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the FCBGA2540 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 335 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core Ultra 5 332 (6 cores), Intel Core Ultra 5 335 (8 cores).