CPU Comparison
Core Ultra 7 258V vs Intel Core Ultra 7 365
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is a mobile processor based on the Lunar Lake architecture, tailored for premium thin and light laptops. It features an 8-core design with 4 Lion Cove P-Cores and 4 Skymont E-Cores, delivering 8 threads without Hyper-Threading. Like the 268V, it integrates 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory directly onto the package, running at 8533 MT/s, which provides substantial bandwidth and capacity for demanding applications while conserving power. The 258V differentiates itself with a slightly lower max turbo frequency of 4.8 GHz and an NPU providing 47 TOPS, just slightly under the 48 TOPS found in higher-end variants. It operates at a highly efficient 17W base TDP, ensuring long battery life for on-the-go productivity. The integrated Arc 140V graphics deliver excellent visual performance for a mobile chip. This CPU is positioned as a high-value option for users needing large integrated memory and strong AI capabilities in an ultraportable form factor.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
32GB of RAM ensures excellent multitasking capabilities.
Strong single‑thread and responsive system feel for Office, browsers, and light creation workloads; multi‑core is more limited than higher‑core Panther Lake H‑parts.
Gaming
Good for light gaming, though slightly lower clocks than 268V marginally impact FPS.
Capable for 1080p casual and e‑sports gaming in the iGPU’s sweet spot, but not meant for high‑refresh 1440p+ gaming without a discrete GPU.
Virtualization
Sufficient memory and cores for light VM usage.
Adequate for light VM use, but 8 threads and a 25 W PL1 cap limit heavy parallel virtualization workloads.
Efficiency
Top-tier power efficiency identical to other Lunar Lake chips.
Excellent performance per watt in the 15–25 W envelope, making it well suited to thin‑and‑light designs where battery life matters.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 47 TOPS NPU is more than enough for Copilot+
- Total 115 TOPS platform performance
- 32GB RAM is highly beneficial for local AI models
- 49 TOPS NPU5 enables local Copilot+ PC class experiences and efficient on‑device inference.
- Combined CPU + iGPU + NPU AI performance is competitive for client AI but not targeted at training or heavy server workloads.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Arc 140V handles esports titles well
- Slightly lower dynamic GPU frequency (1950 MHz)
- Not intended for AAA gaming at high settings
- Xe3 4‑core iGPU significantly faster than older Iris Xe but slower than Arc 140V or higher Xe3 configurations.
- Suitable for 1080p low/medium settings in many titles; some modern AAA games will require reduced settings or FSR/XeSS.
- Better for e‑sports and casual titles than for high‑refresh competitive gaming.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Strong single‑thread performance for everyday tasks
- Intel 18A process delivers excellent efficiency at 15–25 W
- 49 TOPS NPU5 for local AI and Copilot+ PC features
- Xe3 iGPU with ray tracing and AV1 support is a big step over older Intel iGPUs
- Support for up to 128 GB LPDDR5X‑7467 or DDR5‑6400
- 12 PCIe 5.0 lanes for fast NVMe and peripherals
Cons
- Only 8 CPU threads; weaker multi‑core than 12–16 core H‑series chips
- No unlocked multiplier; no manual overclocking
- iGPU still slower than higher Xe3 configurations or Arc 140V
- Not intended for sustained high‑power workloads beyond 25 W PL1
- Early benchmarks show only modest gains versus prior Lunar Lake parts in some CPU tests
Competitors & Alternatives
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
Intel Core Ultra 7 365
- AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360Rival
Mobile / AI PC
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Rival
Mobile / AI PC
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258VRival
Mobile / AI PC
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 7 366HRival
Mobile / AI PC (H‑series)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 325Rival
Mobile / AI PC
Our Verdict on Each
The 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 reviewA balanced, efficient mobile SoC with strong single‑thread performance, a capable Xe3 iGPU, and serious NPU headroom for AI features, though multi‑core headroom is limited by its 8 cores and 25 W PL1 ceiling.
Best for: Thin‑and‑light business or premium consumer laptops where you want strong single‑thread performance, good efficiency, and modern AI capabilities without needing a discrete GPU.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core Ultra 7 258V or Intel Core Ultra 7 365?
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, Core Ultra 7 258V or Intel Core Ultra 7 365?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 7 365 leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among Core Ultra 7 258V and Intel Core Ultra 7 365.
Which uses less power?
The Core Ultra 7 258V has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core Ultra 7 258V (17 W), Intel Core Ultra 7 365 (25 W).
Do Core Ultra 7 258V and Intel Core Ultra 7 365 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core Ultra 7 258V: Intel BGA 2833, Intel Core Ultra 7 365: FCBGA2540), 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.