If you are looking for a new laptop or desktop that can handle any task you throw at it, you might want to check out Intel’s latest processor, the Core Ultra series.

The Intel Core Ultra series is based on the Meteor Lake architecture, which combines different types of cores to accomplish the best performance-to-power-consumption balance.

What to Expect from the Intel Core Ultra Series

The Core Ultra series of chips currently comes in two models, the Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 5. If you want the more powerful flagship processor, go with the Core Ultra 7 with 16 cores and 22 threads and a boost frequency of up to 5.0 GHz. 

Meanwhile, the Core Ultra 5 is the more affordable option as it only comes with 14 cores and 18 threads, with a boost frequency of up to 4.6 GHz. With these numbers, it’s surprising that they only consume up to 28 watts, making them as power-efficient as Apple’s M-series chips.

Improved Graphics

Another highlight of the Core Ultra series is the new graphics solution based on the Intel Arc architecture, which you can push for 4K gaming and your video editing and rendering needs.

It also supports Intel’s Deep Link technology, allowing the processor and graphics units to work seamlessly and efficiently.

The Core Ultra series is designed to compete with the latest Apple Silicon chips that are currently dominating the laptop market with their impressive performance and battery life.

Comparing Intel Ultra with Apple Silicon

The following tables compare the specifications and performance of the Core Ultra 7 and Ultra 5 with the Apple M2 and M3 processors:

Specs

ProcessorCores/ThreadsMax Turbo FrequencyTDPAI EngineGraphics
Core Ultra 7Up to 16/22Up to 5.0 GHz28 WIntel AI BoostIntel Arc Graphics with up to 8 Xe cores
Core Ultra 5Up to 14/18Up to 4.6 GHz28 WIntel AI BoostIntel Arc Graphics with up to 7 Xe cores
Apple M28-core CPUUp to 3.5 GHz20 WYes8-core GPU
Apple M38-core CPUUp to 4.05 GHz20 WYes10-core GPU

Benchmarks

Benchmark/ApplicationCore Ultra 7Core Ultra 5Apple M2Apple M3
Geekbench 6 (Single Core)Up to 2,200Up to 2,000Up to 2,000Up to 2,300
Geekbench 6 (Multi-core)Up to 22,000Up to 16,000Up to 20,000Up to 22,500
Cinebench R23Up to 17,000Up to 12,000Up to 15,000Up to 17,500
Battery Life (General Usage)Up to 8 hoursUp to 10 hoursUp to 15 hoursUp to 16 hours
Battery Life (Light Productivity)Up to 9 hoursUp to 12 hoursUp to 15 hoursUp 18 hours

Note: Performance varies between different chip models.

Where to Get Intel Ultra Machines

If you’re looking for a power-efficient Windows machine with the Core Ultra, expect them to be on different machines in early 2024. Laptops from Intel partners, such as Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and more, will have models that come with these chips.

The Core Ultra series is designed to compete with Apple’s M-series processors, which have impressed users with their performance and battery life.

Jian Bacallan
Jian Bacallan

Technology Content Crafter. Helping you unbox the latest in tech trends, especially with laptops and mobile devices. A PC gaming enthusiast who loves to cook and is currently obsessed with sim games and pizza dough.

threads

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *