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Intel Core Ultra 7 256V vs Intel Core Ultra 9 288V: Comparison
What is the difference between Core Ultra 7 256V and Core Ultra 9 288V?
They are built to different briefs, and p-core boost clock shows it, Core Ultra 7 256V 4.8 GHz against Core Ultra 9 288V 5.1 GHz. There is a split on p-core base clock as well, 2.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 256V versus 3.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 288V. Tdp is not the same on both, 17 W on the Core Ultra 7 256V versus 30 W on the Core Ultra 9 288V. They differ on base power too, 17 W on the Core Ultra 7 256V versus 30 W on the Core Ultra 9 288V. There is a split on memory type as well, LPDDR5X on the Core Ultra 7 256V versus On-Package LPDDR5X on the Core Ultra 9 288V.
Which should you buy, Core Ultra 7 256V or Core Ultra 9 288V?
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 9 288V 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 9 288V (9/10): the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is one of Intel's most power-efficient Core Ultra chips, built for the longest battery life in ultra-thin laptops.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, total threads and l3 cache included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 10 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Integrated Graphics the same on the Core Ultra 7 256V and Core Ultra 9 288V?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, 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 9 288V
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Lunar Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- Lunar Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 2024
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 2024
TDP
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 17 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 30 W
iGPU
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Intel Arc 140V GPU
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- Intel Arc 140V GPU
Market Segment
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Lunar Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- Lunar Lake
Socket
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- FCBGA2833
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- FCBGA2833
Process Node
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 3 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 3 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 8
Performance Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 4
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 4
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 4
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 4
Total Threads
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 8
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 2.2 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 3.3 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 4.8 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 5.1 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 12 MB
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 12 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 17 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 30 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 37 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 37 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- LPDDR5X
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- On-Package LPDDR5X
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- Yes
NPU Peak TOPS
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 45 TOPS (NPU 4)
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 45 TOPS (NPU 4)
Which one should you pick?
Choose 256V if you want the higher L3 cache (12 MB vs 12 MB).
Choose 288V 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 9 288V
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is one of Intel's most power-efficient Core Ultra chips, built for the longest battery life in ultra-thin laptops.