CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 335 vs Core Ultra 7 258V
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 5 335 is an 8-core, 8-thread mobile SoC from Intel’s Panther Lake family, built on the Intel 18A process for thin-and-light and mainstream business laptops with strong AI acceleration and integrated Xe3 graphics.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Responsive office work, multi‑tab browsing, and light content creation; multi‑threaded workloads benefit from the 8 cores but are limited by 8 threads and no SMT.
32GB of RAM ensures excellent multitasking capabilities.
Gaming
Smooth for esports and older titles at 1080p with reduced settings; modern AAA games will often need a discrete GPU for high settings.
Good for light gaming, though slightly lower clocks than 268V marginally impact FPS.
Virtualization
Can handle light VM workloads, but memory and core counts are more constrained than on H‑series or desktop chips.
Sufficient memory and cores for light VM usage.
Efficiency
Intel 18A and the 25–55 W power envelope enable strong efficiency for thin laptops, with real‑world battery life often matching comparable Snapdragon X Elite systems in early tests.
Top-tier power efficiency identical to other Lunar Lake chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
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 5 335
- AMD Ryzen AI 7 345Rival
Mobile AI/Performance
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840URival
Thin-and-Light
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258VRival
Premium Thin-and-Light (Lunar Lake)
- Intel Core Ultra 5 235URival
Mainstream Mobile (Arrow Lake U)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
ARM-based AI PC
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 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 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 5 335 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 5 335 or Core Ultra 7 258V?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 335 leads with a gaming performance score of 72/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 335 and Core Ultra 7 258V.
Which uses less power?
The Core Ultra 7 258V has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 5 335 (25 W), Core Ultra 7 258V (17 W).
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 335 and Core Ultra 7 258V use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core Ultra 5 335: FCBGA2540, Core Ultra 7 258V: Intel BGA 2833), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
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.