Intel Core Ultra 5 235H
Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Intel Core Ultra 5 235H Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Overview

Welcome to our in-depth spec comparison between the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H — two laptop processors sharing the same platform but diverging in meaningful ways. Both chips are built on a 3 nm process with a 28W TDP and identical memory support, yet they differ in core configuration, thread count, and overall benchmark performance. Read on to discover which processor best suits your needs.

Common Features

  • Both are laptop CPUs using the BGA 2049 socket.
  • Both have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 28W.
  • Both are built on a 3 nm semiconductor process.
  • Both support a maximum CPU temperature of 110°C.
  • Both use PCIe version 5.
  • Both support 64-bit computing.
  • Integrated graphics are present on both processors.
  • Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.
  • Both use big.LITTLE technology for core configuration.
  • The integrated GPU on both has a turbo clock of 2250 MHz.
  • Both support DirectX 12 Ultimate.
  • Both support up to 4 displays simultaneously.
  • Both support OpenGL version 4.6.
  • Both support OpenCL version 3.
  • Both support a maximum RAM speed of 8400 MHz.
  • Both use DDR5 memory.
  • Both feature a dual-channel memory configuration.
  • Both support a maximum memory amount of 128GB.
  • ECC memory is not supported on either processor.
  • Both share the same instruction sets: MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2.
  • Hardware multithreading is not used on either processor.
  • The NX bit security feature is present on both processors.

Main Differences

  • CPU base clock configuration is 4 x 2.4 GHz & 8 x 1.8 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and 6 x 2 GHz & 8 x 1.5 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H.
  • CPU thread count is 14 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and 16 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H.
  • Turbo clock speed is 5.0 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and 5.1 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H.
  • The clock multiplier is 24 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and 20 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H.
  • The PassMark multi-core result is 28,448 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and 30,756 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H.
  • The PassMark single-core result is 4,361 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and 4,373 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H.
Specs Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 235H

Intel Core Ultra 5 235H

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

General info:
Type Laptop Laptop
CPU socket BGA 2049 BGA 2049
Has integrated graphics
release date January 2025 January 2025
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 28W 28W
semiconductor size 3 nm 3 nm
CPU temperature 110 °C 110 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5 5
Supports 64-bit

At the general platform level, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and Intel Core Ultra 7 255H are virtually identical twins. Both are laptop-class processors sharing the same BGA 2049 socket, the same 3 nm semiconductor process, a 28W TDP, a maximum junction temperature of 110 °C, PCIe 5.0 support, integrated graphics, and full 64-bit compatibility.

The practical implication of this shared foundation is significant: both chips will fit the same motherboard designs, operate within the same thermal and power envelopes, and deliver the same platform-level capabilities such as PCIe 5.0 bandwidth for storage and discrete GPU connectivity. A laptop built around either processor does not need to compromise on chassis size, cooling solution, or connectivity infrastructure.

Based strictly on the general info specs, these two processors are completely evenly matched — there is no differentiator in this category whatsoever. Any meaningful advantage one holds over the other will only emerge in performance-oriented spec groups such as core counts, clock speeds, or cache. For general platform considerations alone, neither chip has an edge.

Performance:
CPU speed 4 x 2.4 & 8 x 1.8 GHz 6 x 2 & 8 x 1.5 GHz
CPU threads 14 threads 16 threads
turbo clock speed 5GHz 5.1GHz
Has an unlocked multiplier
Uses big.LITTLE technology
clock multiplier 24 20

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and Intel Core Ultra 7 255H have some noticeable differences in performance specs. For CPU speed, the Ultra 5 235H features a combination of 4 cores at 2.4 GHz and 8 cores at 1.8 GHz, while the Ultra 7 255H has 6 cores at 2.0 GHz and 8 cores at 1.5 GHz. This indicates the Ultra 5 235H has a higher base clock speed on its main cores. Both processors support a turbo clock speed of 5 GHz, meaning they can boost performance under load, but the Ultra 7 255H offers a slightly higher turbo clock speed of 5.1 GHz.

In terms of CPU threads, the Ultra 5 235H has 14 threads, whereas the Ultra 7 255H supports 16 threads, providing the latter with potentially better multi-threaded performance. Both processors use big.LITTLE technology, allowing them to efficiently manage workloads by using high-performance and power-efficient cores. However, the Ultra 5 235H has a clock multiplier of 24, compared to the Ultra 7 255H's 20, indicating a difference in how each processor's cores are scaled in terms of clock frequency.

Despite these differences, both processors share several similar features, such as the absence of an unlocked multiplier, which means neither can be overclocked. Overall, the Ultra 5 235H has a higher base clock speed, while the Ultra 7 255H offers more threads and a slightly higher turbo clock speed.

Benchmarks:
PassMark result 28448 30756
PassMark result (single) 4361 4373

In the benchmark results, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and Intel Core Ultra 7 255H show some differences. The Ultra 5 235H has a PassMark result of 28,448, while the Ultra 7 255H achieves a higher result of 30,756. This indicates that the Ultra 7 255H performs better in multi-threaded workloads or overall system tasks. Both processors have very similar single-thread performance, with the Ultra 5 235H scoring 4,361 and the Ultra 7 255H scoring slightly higher at 4,373.

Although the overall PassMark results differ, the single-thread scores for both processors are very close, with a mere 12-point difference. This suggests that the two processors deliver almost identical performance in tasks that rely primarily on single-core speed. However, the Ultra 7 255H’s higher total PassMark score suggests it could be more capable in multi-threaded or demanding tasks.

Overall, while both processors offer strong performance, the Ultra 7 255H holds an edge in overall benchmark scores, while single-threaded performance is nearly identical between the two.

Integrated graphics:
GPU turbo 2250 MHz 2250 MHz
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate DirectX 12 Ultimate
supported displays 4 4
OpenGL version 4.6 4.6
OpenCL version 3 3

The integrated graphics for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and Intel Core Ultra 7 255H are identical in several key areas. Both processors feature a GPU turbo frequency of 2250 MHz, ensuring similar peak graphics performance. They also support DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL version 4.6, and OpenCL version 3, meaning both are fully equipped to handle modern graphical tasks and applications that utilize these technologies. Additionally, both products support up to 4 displays, providing ample flexibility for multi-monitor setups.

Since all these specs are exactly the same for both the Ultra 5 235H and Ultra 7 255H, there are no differences in terms of integrated graphics capabilities. Users can expect equivalent performance and compatibility with graphical applications across both processors.

Overall, in the integrated graphics department, there is no distinction between the two processors based on the provided specifications.

Memory:
RAM speed (max) 8400 MHz 8400 MHz
DDR memory version 5 5
memory channels 2 2
maximum memory amount 128GB 128GB
Supports ECC memory

The memory specifications for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and Intel Core Ultra 7 255H are identical. Both processors support a maximum RAM speed of 8400 MHz and utilize DDR5 memory, which provides fast data transfer rates. They each have two memory channels, enabling dual-channel memory configurations for improved performance. Additionally, both processors can support up to 128GB of memory, allowing for ample capacity in memory-intensive applications.

Neither processor supports ECC memory, which means they are not designed for error-correcting code memory, typically found in servers and workstations that require high data integrity.

Overall, the memory capabilities of both processors are the same, offering identical performance and capacity limits across all key memory specifications.

Features:
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2 MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
uses multithreading
Has NX bit

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and Intel Core Ultra 7 255H share identical features in terms of instruction sets, multithreading, and security. Both processors support the same set of instruction sets, including MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, which are essential for handling a wide range of computational tasks efficiently. Additionally, neither processor utilizes multithreading, which means they handle tasks with the base number of threads without any simultaneous multithreading (SMT) technology.

Both processors also include the NX (No eXecute) bit feature, providing a level of security by preventing certain types of attacks, such as buffer overflow attacks. This feature is common in modern processors and ensures better protection for the system's memory.

Overall, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and Intel Core Ultra 7 255H have identical features in this group, with no differences in their instruction sets, multithreading capabilities, or security features.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

After examining all the specifications, both processors share a strong foundation: a 3 nm process, DDR5 support up to 8400 MHz, 128GB max RAM, and identical integrated graphics capabilities. However, key distinctions set them apart. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H pulls ahead with 16 threads, a higher 5.1 GHz turbo clock, and a significantly better PassMark multi-core score of 30,756, making it the stronger choice for demanding multitasking and CPU-intensive workloads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H, while slightly behind in raw throughput, offers a higher base clock on its performance cores and a PassMark score of 28,448 — still highly capable for everyday productivity and lighter workloads. Choose the Ultra 7 255H for performance headroom; choose the Ultra 5 235H for a well-balanced, efficient everyday laptop experience.

Intel Core Ultra 5 235H
Buy Intel Core Ultra 5 235H if...

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H if you want a capable everyday laptop processor with higher performance-core base clocks and strong single-core responsiveness without necessarily needing top-tier multi-threaded throughput.

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
Buy Intel Core Ultra 7 255H if...

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H if you need maximum multi-threaded performance, with 16 threads, a higher 5.1 GHz turbo speed, and a notably higher PassMark multi-core score for demanding workloads.