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Intel Core Ultra 5 235A vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265F: Comparison

Core Ultra 5 235A vs Core Ultra 7 265F: the total cores difference

Expect a near tie. The closest thing to a difference is total cores, Core Ultra 5 235A 14 against Core Ultra 7 265F 20. Core Ultra 7 265F also leads on l3 cache, 24 MB on the Core Ultra 5 235A versus 30 MB on the Core Ultra 7 265F. They differ on integrated graphics too, Yes on the Core Ultra 5 235A versus No on the Core Ultra 7 265F. Igpu is not the same on both, Intel Graphics on the Core Ultra 5 235A versus None on the Core Ultra 7 265F.

Which should you buy, Core Ultra 5 235A or Core Ultra 7 265F?

Buy the Core Ultra 5 235A for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. The Core Ultra 7 265F suits desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Core Ultra 5 235A (8.2/10): the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is a channel variant of the mainstream 235, well suited to everyday desktop builds. Our rating of the Core Ultra 7 265F (8.4/10): the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F is the graphics-less variant of the 265, a good value pick for builds already using a discrete GPU.

What Core Ultra 5 235A and Core Ultra 7 265F have in common

Where they agree, they agree completely, tdp, socket, form factor, release year and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 5 further specifications as well.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Core Ultra 5 235A and Core Ultra 7 265F differ on performance cores?

Yes. Performance Cores reads 6 on the Core Ultra 5 235A versus 8 on the Core Ultra 7 265F.

Is the Microarchitecture the same on the Core Ultra 5 235A and Core Ultra 7 265F?

It is. Both are listed at Arrow Lake-S, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Form Factor

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    Desktop
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    Desktop
  • Codename

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    Arrow Lake
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    Arrow Lake
  • Release Year

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    2025
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    2025
  • TDP

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    65 W
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    65 W
  • iGPU

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    Intel Graphics
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    None
  • Market Segment

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    Desktop
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    Desktop
  • Microarchitecture

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    Arrow Lake-S
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    Arrow Lake-S
  • Socket

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    FCLGA1851
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    FCLGA1851
  • Process Node

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    3 nm
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    3 nm
  • Total Cores

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    14
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    20Best
  • Performance Cores

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    6
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    8Best
  • Efficiency Cores

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    8
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    12Best
  • Total Threads

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    14
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    20Best
  • SMT Enabled

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    No
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    No
  • P-Core Base Clock

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    3.4 GHz
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    2.4 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    5.0 GHz
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    5.3 GHz
  • L3 Cache

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    24 MB-20%
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    30 MBBest
  • Base Power

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    65 W
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    65 W
  • Max Turbo Power

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    121 W
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    182 W
  • Memory Type

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    DDR5
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    DDR5
  • Integrated Graphics

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    Yes
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    No
  • NPU Peak TOPS

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A
    13 TOPS (NPU 3)
    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
    13 TOPS (NPU 3)

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose 235A if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Choose 265F if you want the higher L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

    Price comparison

    RetailerIntel Core Ultra 5 235AIntel Core Ultra 7 265F
    AmazonView on Amazon
    NeweggView on Newegg

    Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.

    Verdict

    Intel Core Ultra 5 235A

    8.2 / 10 Expert Rating

    The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is a channel variant of the mainstream 235, well suited to everyday desktop builds.

    Intel Core Ultra 7 265F

    8.4 / 10 Expert Rating

    The Intel Core Ultra 7 265F is the graphics-less variant of the 265, a good value pick for builds already using a discrete GPU.

    More comparisons in Processors (CPUs)