Quick Verdict
The 258V offers nearly identical performance to the 268V at a potentially lower price, making it a smart choice for 32GB ultrabooks.
Overview
Launch
2024
Status
ActiveGeneration
Ultra 7 (Lunar Lake)
Market
Mobile
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 Intel Core Ultra 7 258V provides a compelling package for premium laptops. It includes 32GB of integrated LPDDR5X memory, ensuring you have enough RAM for heavy multitasking without draining the battery. With 4 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores, it delivers snappy performance.
Its 47 TOPS NPU enables advanced Copilot+ AI features. The Arc 140V graphics handle everyday visual tasks with ease. It's an excellent choice for users who want the memory capacity of the 268V but at a slightly more accessible price point.
Specifications
Performance
32GB of RAM ensures excellent multitasking capabilities.
Sufficient memory and cores for light VM usage.
Good for light gaming, though slightly lower clocks than 268V marginally impact FPS.
Top-tier power efficiency identical to other Lunar Lake chips.
- •Arc 140V handles esports titles well
- •Slightly lower dynamic GPU frequency (1950 MHz)
- •Not intended for AAA gaming at high settings
- •47 TOPS NPU is more than enough for Copilot+
- •Total 115 TOPS platform performance
- •32GB RAM is highly beneficial for local AI models
Architecture
3 nm
Process Node
Lunar Lake
Codename
8C / 8T
Core Config
12 MB
L3 Cache
17 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Lunar Lake architecture of the Core Ultra 7 258V is a masterclass in power-efficient design. Built on TSMC's 3nm process for the compute tile, it houses 4 Lion Cove P-Cores and 4 Skymont E-Cores. The P-Cores handle demanding single-threaded tasks, while the E-Cores manage background processes efficiently. A key architectural feature is the memory-on-package design, integrating 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory directly onto the substrate. This drastically reduces power consumption and latency compared to traditional motherboard-mounted memory. The SoC tile handles I/O and is built on TSMC's N6 process. The 258V includes the Arc 140V GPU, leveraging Intel's Xe2 architecture for enhanced graphics. Its dedicated NPU 4 delivers 47 TOPS, enabling local AI processing and Copilot+ compatibility. By optimizing the clock speeds slightly lower than the 268V, the 258V achieves an excellent balance of high performance and maximum battery life for mobile devices.
CPU Design
4 Lion Cove P-Cores and 4 Skymont E-Cores.
Memory Subsystem
32GB integrated LPDDR5X-8533.
PCIe & I/O
4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- Integrated 32GB memory
- Vastly superior battery life
- Dedicated 47 TOPS NPU
- Xe2 graphics architecture
Key Highlights
- 32GB of integrated memory
- Excellent power efficiency
- 47 TOPS NPU for AI
- Great value compared to 268V
- Arc 140V graphics
- Slightly lower clocks than 268V
- Non-upgradeable memory
- Limited to 8 threads
History
The Core Ultra 7 258V was unveiled on September 24, 2024, as part of Intel's inaugural Lunar Lake lineup. </br></br> This processor was introduced to offer a slightly more accessible entry point into the 32 GB integrated memory tier of Lunar Lake laptops. By marginally reducing the maximum turbo frequency and NPU TOPS compared to the 268V, Intel provided system manufacturers with a chip that could be cooled more easily in thinner chassis or offered at a better price point.
</br></br> The 258V's launch was critical in establishing Intel's presence in the premium AI PC market, directly challenging competitors like Apple and Qualcomm. It highlighted Intel's commitment to integrating memory on-package, a radical departure from traditional mobile designs. This chip solidified the Lunar Lake family as a serious contender for users prioritizing extreme battery life and sufficient memory capacity for professional workloads on the go.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Integrated 32GB memory
- Vastly superior battery life
- Dedicated 47 TOPS NPU
- Xe2 graphics architecture
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
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.
Avoid if…
- You need the absolute maximum clock speeds for CPU-bound tasks
- You require a dedicated GPU for heavy gaming
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It integrates 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory directly on the CPU package.
The NPU provides 47 TOPS, just 1 TOP less than the flagship 268V.
It has a total AI performance of up to 115 TOPS.
The max turbo frequency is 4.8 GHz, slightly lower than other Ultra 7 V-series chips.
It is built on TSMC's 3nm process for the compute tile.
The graphics dynamic frequency is 1950 MHz.
It uses the same BGA 2833 socket as the rest of the Lunar Lake family.
The memory bandwidth reaches up to 136.5 GB/s.
It drops Hyper-Threading in favor of physical cores only.
It is designed for ultra-thin laptops prioritizing battery life.
People Also Ask
How much memory is in the Core Ultra 7 258V?
It has 32 GB of integrated LPDDR5X memory.
What is the max turbo speed of the 258V?
It has a max turbo frequency of 4.8 GHz.
How many TOPS does the 258V NPU provide?
The NPU provides 47 TOPS of AI performance.
Is the 258V good for multitasking?
Yes, its 8 cores and 32GB RAM make it great for multitasking.
Can I upgrade the RAM on a 258V laptop?
No, the 32GB memory is integrated into the CPU package.
What graphics does the 258V have?
It features Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics.
What is the base TDP of the 258V?
The base TDP is 17W, with a max of 37W.
Does the 258V have Hyper-Threading?
No, it uses 8 physical cores.
What socket does the 258V use?
It uses the Intel BGA 2833 socket.
Does the 258V support Copilot+?
Yes, its 47 TOPS NPU is sufficient for Copilot+ features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 258V and 268V?
The 258V has slightly lower clock speeds (4.8GHz vs 5.0GHz) and 1 less NPU TOP.
Is the 258V good for video editing?
Yes, the 32GB RAM and Arc 140V make it suitable for light editing.
Does the 258V support DDR4 memory?
No, it uses integrated LPDDR5X memory.
What is the memory speed of the 258V?
The integrated memory runs at 8533 MT/s.
Can I play games on the 258V?
Yes, it can handle light to moderate gaming.
How many cores does the 258V have?
It has 8 cores (4 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores).
Is the 258V a desktop processor?
No, it is a mobile processor for laptops.
Does the 258V support virtualization?
Yes, it supports VT-x and VT-d.
What is the base clock of the 258V?
The base frequency is 2.2 GHz.
Is the 258V unlocked?
No, mobile processors are locked.