Quick Verdict
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.
Overview
Launch
Sep 24th, 2024
Status
ActiveGeneration
Ultra 5 (Lunar Lake)
Market
Mobile
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 Core Ultra 5 228V leverages Intel's Lunar Lake architecture on TSMC's 3nm process to deliver exceptional battery life. It features 4 P-cores and 4 E-cores, boosting up to 4.5 GHz.
The standout feature is the integration of 32GB of LPDDR5x memory directly on the package, running at 8533 MT/s, which provides massive memory bandwidth and low latency for heavy multitasking. The included Arc 130V graphics handle casual gaming effortlessly, while the 40 TOPS NPU accelerates AI workloads. Operating at a 17W base TDP, it is designed for premium thin-and-light laptops where efficiency and substantial memory capacity are required for demanding professional workloads on the go.
Specifications
Performance
The 32GB of RAM ensures extremely smooth multitasking and productivity application performance.
The large memory pool allows for comfortable running of multiple virtual machines or containers.
Handles casual and older games well at 1080p, but lacks the power for modern AAA titles at high settings.
Industry-leading power efficiency ensures long battery life even under moderate workloads.
- •Arc 130V graphics provide smooth 1080p performance in esports titles
- •Supports hardware ray tracing
- •Not recommended for heavy 3D gaming
- •40 TOPS NPU enables efficient local AI processing
- •Fully supports Microsoft Copilot+ features
- •Handles AI-enhanced creative tools smoothly
Architecture
TSMC 3nm
Process Node
Lunar Lake
Codename
8C / 8T
Core Config
8 MB
L3 Cache
17 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Underneath its compact BGA 2833 package, the Core Ultra 5 228V utilizes Intel’s disaggregated Lunar Lake architecture. The compute tile is forged on TSMC’s N3B 3nm node, incorporating "Lion Cove" P-cores and "Skymont" E-cores. This generation purposefully omits Hyper-Threading to optimize performance per watt and reduce attack surfaces. The cache structure is robust, with 2.5MB of L2 cache per P-core and 4MB of L2 cache for the E-core cluster, supplemented by an 8MB shared L3 cache. A defining characteristic of the 228V is its 32GB of on-package LPDDR5x memory. By placing the memory dies directly on the CPU substrate, Intel minimizes signal trace distance, which drastically lowers memory latency and power consumption. The integrated Arc 130V graphics, leveraging the Xe2 "Battlemage" architecture, provides significantly higher instruction throughput than prior generations. Additionally, the NPU delivers 40 TOPS of AI compute, efficiently handling local inferencing tasks without heavily taxing the CPU or GPU resources.
CPU Design
4 Lion Cove P-cores and 4 Skymont E-cores without Hyper-Threading.
Memory Subsystem
Features 32GB of on-package LPDDR5x memory at 8533 MT/s.
PCIe & I/O
Includes 4 PCIe 5.0 lanes and 4 secondary PCIe 4.0 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier for guaranteed stability and efficiency.
- Massive leap in power efficiency via 3nm node
- Integrated 32GB memory option
- Removal of Hyper-Threading for physical core reliance
- 4x increase in NPU performance (40 TOPS vs 11 TOPS)
Key Highlights
- Massive 32GB of fast on-package memory
- Exceptional power efficiency
- 40 TOPS NPU for AI workloads
- Strong integrated graphics
- Silent operation capability
- Memory is non-upgradable
- Lower boost clock than the 236V variant
- No Hyper-Threading limits peak multi-threading
- Limited PCIe lane expansion
History
The Core Ultra 5 228V emerged from Intel's strategic imperative to counter Apple's dominance in the premium ultraportable sector. Launched in late 2024, Lunar Lake was a radical departure from Intel's historical reliance on its internal foundries. By partnering with TSMC to manufacture the 3nm compute tile, Intel successfully circumvented its own manufacturing delays to deliver a highly competitive, efficient architecture.
The 228V variant specifically addressed the limitations of on-package memory by offering a 32GB configuration, catering to power users who found 16GB restrictive for heavy multitasking or large datasets. This release coincided with the broader industry transition towards AI-capable PCs, leveraging the 40 TOPS NPU to meet Microsoft’s Copilot+ certification. The processor symbolizes a transitional era for Intel, showcasing an ability to rapidly pivot and adopt external manufacturing and advanced packaging techniques to remain relevant against ARM-based competitors like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series in the Windows ecosystem.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Massive leap in power efficiency via 3nm node
- Integrated 32GB memory option
- Removal of Hyper-Threading for physical core reliance
- 4x increase in NPU performance (40 TOPS vs 11 TOPS)
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Premium ultraportable for professionals needing large memory capacity
Avoid if…
- You need maximum single-core clock speeds
- You plan on doing heavy 3D rendering
- You want to upgrade your RAM in the future
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The Core Ultra 5 228V includes 32GB of memory physically attached to the CPU die, a rare configuration for x86 processors.
It is one of the first Intel chips to utilize TSMC's 3nm process node for its compute tile.
The processor completely removes Hyper-Threading, relying on a combination of 4 P-cores and 4 E-cores.
It features the Xe2 graphics architecture, marking a significant upgrade over the Xe-LPG found in Meteor Lake.
The chip meets Microsoft's strict Copilot+ PC requirements with a dedicated 40 TOPS NPU.
Despite being a low-power 17W chip, it can burst up to 37W for short periods to handle intense workloads.
The memory runs at a blistering 8533 MT/s, significantly faster than standard DDR5 laptop memory.
It integrates the platform controller hub (PCH) directly into the processor package, simplifying laptop motherboard design.
The "Skymont" E-cores offer substantial performance improvements over previous generation "Crestmont" cores.
The 228V was designed specifically to counter ARM-based competitors like Apple's M3 and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X.
People Also Ask
Is the Core Ultra 5 228V better than the 236V?
It depends on your needs; the 228V offers double the memory (32GB vs 16GB), while the 236V has a slightly higher turbo clock (4.7 GHz vs 4.5 GHz).
Can the Core Ultra 5 228V handle video editing?
Yes, the 32GB of RAM and Arc 130V graphics make it capable of handling moderate 4K video editing workloads.
Is the Core Ultra 5 228V good for gaming?
It is suitable for casual and esports gaming at 1080p, but lacks the power for high-end AAA gaming at max settings.
What is the difference between Lunar Lake and Meteor Lake?
Lunar Lake uses a 3nm process, on-package memory, and lacks Hyper-Threading, focusing purely on efficiency, whereas Meteor Lake uses a more traditional chiplet approach.
Does the Core Ultra 5 228V support Thunderbolt 4?
Yes, the integrated SOC includes support for Thunderbolt 4.
What is the base clock speed of the Core Ultra 5 228V?
The base clock speed for the P-cores is 2.1 GHz.
Can I build a desktop PC with the Core Ultra 5 228V?
No, it is a mobile-only BGA processor soldered directly to laptop motherboards.
What are the core types in the Core Ultra 5 228V?
It uses "Lion Cove" P-cores for performance and "Skymont" E-cores for efficiency.
How much L3 cache does the Core Ultra 5 228V have?
It has an 8MB shared L3 cache.
Is the Core Ultra 5 228V fanless?
It can be used in fanless designs due to its low 17W TDP, but thermal design depends on the specific laptop manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much RAM does the Core Ultra 5 228V have?
It features 32GB of on-package LPDDR5x memory.
What is the maximum turbo frequency of the Core Ultra 5 228V?
The processor can reach a maximum turbo frequency of 4.5 GHz.
Does the Core Ultra 5 228V support Hyper-Threading?
No, it relies solely on its 8 physical cores (4 P-cores and 4 E-cores) for multi-threading.
Can I upgrade the memory on a Core Ultra 5 228V laptop?
No, the memory is physically integrated into the CPU package and cannot be upgraded or replaced.
What is the TDP of the Core Ultra 5 228V?
It has a base TDP of 17W and a maximum power consumption of 37W.
Does the Core Ultra 5 228V have an NPU?
Yes, it includes an NPU capable of 40 TOPS, supporting advanced AI features.
What integrated graphics does the Core Ultra 5 228V use?
It utilizes the Intel Arc 130V graphics based on the Xe2 architecture.
Is the Core Ultra 5 228V unlocked for overclocking?
No, the multiplier is locked, and overclocking is not supported.
What manufacturing node is used for the Core Ultra 5 228V?
The compute tile is built on TSMC's 3nm manufacturing process.
Does the Core Ultra 5 228V support Copilot+ PCs?
Yes, its 40 TOPS NPU meets the hardware requirements for Microsoft Copilot+.