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Intel Core Ultra 7 256V vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V: Comparison

What is the difference between Core Ultra 7 256V and Core Ultra 7 266V?

The first real difference is p-core boost clock: Core Ultra 7 256V 4.8 GHz against Core Ultra 7 266V 5.0 GHz.

Core Ultra 7 256V vs Core Ultra 7 266V: which one fits your build

Buy the Core Ultra 7 256V for Ultra-thin and light laptops and all-day battery life, though it is not the pick for heavy sustained multi-core workloads and gaming laptops. The Core Ultra 7 266V is the one to take for Ultra-thin and light laptops and all-day battery life, though it is the wrong buy for heavy sustained multi-core workloads and gaming laptops. 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. Our rating of the Core Ultra 7 266V (9/10): the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V is a non-vPro Lunar Lake variant for consumer ultra-thin laptops wanting more headroom than the Core Ultra 5 tier.

Where the two are identical

The common ground is wider than the gap: total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, total threads and p-core base clock are identical here. They match on 14 further specifications as well.

Frequently asked questions

Is the TDP the same on the Core Ultra 7 256V and Core Ultra 7 266V?

It is. Both are listed at 17 W, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Form Factor

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    Laptop
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    Laptop
  • Codename

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    Lunar Lake
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    Lunar Lake
  • Release Year

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    2024
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    2024
  • TDP

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    17 W
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    17 W
  • iGPU

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    Intel Arc 140V GPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    Intel Arc 140V GPU
  • Market Segment

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    Laptop
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    Laptop
  • Microarchitecture

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    Lunar Lake
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    Lunar Lake
  • Socket

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    FCBGA2833
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    FCBGA2833
  • Process Node

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    3 nm
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    3 nm
  • Total Cores

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    8
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    8
  • Performance Cores

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    4
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    4
  • Efficiency Cores

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    4
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    4
  • Total Threads

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    8
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    8
  • SMT Enabled

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    No
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    No
  • P-Core Base Clock

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    2.2 GHz
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    2.2 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    4.8 GHz
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    5.0 GHz
  • L3 Cache

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    12 MB
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    12 MB
  • Base Power

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    17 W
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    17 W
  • Max Turbo Power

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    37 W
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    37 W
  • Memory Type

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    LPDDR5X
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    LPDDR5X
  • Integrated Graphics

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    Yes
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    Yes
  • NPU Peak TOPS

    Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
    45 TOPS (NPU 4)
    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V
    45 TOPS (NPU 4)

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose 256V if you want the higher L3 cache (12 MB vs 12 MB).

    Choose 266V if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Verdict

    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.

    Intel Core Ultra 7 266V

    9 / 10 Expert Rating

    The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V is a non-vPro Lunar Lake variant for consumer ultra-thin laptops wanting more headroom than the Core Ultra 5 tier.

    More comparisons in Processors (CPUs)