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Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V: Comparison
What is the difference between Core Ultra 7 255HX and Core Ultra 7 256V?
On l3 cache the spread is 60%, Core Ultra 7 255HX 30 MB against Core Ultra 7 256V 12 MB, so Core Ultra 7 255HX takes it. There is a split on p-core base clock as well, 2.4 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus 2.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 256V. Tdp is not the same on both, 55 W on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus 17 W on the Core Ultra 7 256V. There is a split on socket as well, BGA 2114 on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus FCBGA2833 on the Core Ultra 7 256V.
Which should you buy, Core Ultra 7 255HX or Core Ultra 7 256V?
The Core Ultra 7 255HX suits high-end gaming laptops and mobile content creation, though it is the wrong buy for thin-and-light laptops and battery-life-focused use. Buy the Core Ultra 7 256V for Ultra-thin and light laptops and all-day battery life, though it is not built for heavy sustained multi-core workloads and gaming laptops. Our rating of the Core Ultra 7 255HX (8.8/10): the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile package, suited to high-end gaming and creator laptops that can handle the higher TDP. Our rating of the Core Ultra 7 256V (9/10): the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is a non-vPro Lunar Lake chip for consumer ultra-thin laptops wanting more headroom than the Core Ultra 5 tier.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Integrated graphics, form factor, market segment and smt enabled read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core Ultra 7 255HX and Core Ultra 7 256V differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 20 on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus 8 on the Core Ultra 7 256V.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- Arrow Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Lunar Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 2025
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 2024
TDP
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 55 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 17 W
iGPU
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG, reduced EU count)
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Intel Arc 140V GPU
Market Segment
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- Arrow Lake-HX
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Lunar Lake
Socket
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- BGA 2114 (BGA, soldered)
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- FCBGA2833
Process Node
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 3 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 3 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 20Best
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 8
Performance Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 8Best
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 4
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 12Best
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 4
Total Threads
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 20Best
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 8
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 2.4 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 2.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 5.2 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 4.8 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 30 MBBest
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 12 MB-60%
Base Power
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 55 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 17 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 160 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 37 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- DDR5
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- LPDDR5X
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Yes
NPU Peak TOPS
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- 13 TOPS (NPU 3)
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 45 TOPS (NPU 4)
Which one should you pick?
Choose 255HX if you want the higher L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
Choose 256V if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
8.8 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile package, suited to high-end gaming and creator laptops that can handle the higher TDP.
Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is a non-vPro Lunar Lake chip for consumer ultra-thin laptops wanting more headroom than the Core Ultra 5 tier.
More comparisons in Processors (CPUs)
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285H
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX
- Intel Core Ultra 7 165H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285H
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V