Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA specifications and in-depth review

Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA

Manufacturer: Intel

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA is a laptop CPU designed for a range of tasks, offering a balance of power efficiency and performance. With 14 threads and a turbo clock speed of 4.9GHz, it delivers solid computing performance for laptops.

This CPU features a 15W TDP and operates on a 3 nm semiconductor size, ensuring efficient power usage while maintaining a high level of performance. It supports up to 128GB of RAM and offers dual-channel memory, making it suitable for multitasking and demanding workloads.

Pros
  • Supports up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM with a maximum speed of 8400 MHz, allowing for substantial memory capacity and fast data processing.
  • Integrated graphics support DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and OpenCL 3, providing compatibility with modern gaming and multimedia applications.
  • Uses big.LITTLE technology to optimize performance and energy efficiency based on workload demands, balancing power and performance.
  • Equipped with 14 CPU threads, enhancing multitasking and performance in multi-threaded applications.
  • Features a relatively low 15W TDP, which contributes to better power efficiency, making it suitable for laptop environments.
Cons
  • Does not support ECC memory, which may be a limitation for users requiring error-correcting memory for high-reliability applications.
  • The CPU has a fixed multiplier and cannot be overclocked, limiting flexibility for users seeking to push performance beyond standard specifications.
  • The maximum CPU temperature is 110°C, which could potentially lead to thermal concerns under extended high-load conditions in laptop configurations.
Who is this for?

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA is ideal for users who need a power-efficient CPU for laptop environments. With its 14 threads and 2 x 2 GHz and 8 x 1.6 GHz base clock speeds, it offers solid performance for multitasking and general computing tasks. Its integrated graphics with DirectX 12 Ultimate support make it suitable for light gaming, media consumption, and casual creative work, all while maintaining efficient power usage with a 15W TDP.

Who is this NOT for?

This processor is not suitable for users who require high-end performance for demanding applications like heavy gaming or professional content creation. Its lack of support for ECC memory and a fixed multiplier limit its use in reliability-critical environments or overclocking scenarios. Additionally, with a maximum CPU temperature of 110°C, it may not be ideal for high-load tasks over extended periods, particularly in thermal-sensitive systems.

General info:

Type Laptop
Has integrated graphics
release date July 2025
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 15W
semiconductor size 3 nm
CPU temperature 110 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4
Supports 64-bit

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA is a laptop CPU with a 15W TDP, designed to balance power efficiency and performance. It features integrated graphics, supporting PCIe 4.0 and 64-bit architecture, making it suitable for a variety of applications. The CPU is built on a 3 nm semiconductor size, contributing to improved performance and efficiency, and can handle a maximum temperature of 110°C under load.

Performance:

CPU speed 2 x 2 & 8 x 1.6 GHz
CPU threads 14 threads
turbo clock speed 4.9GHz
Has an unlocked multiplier
L3 cache 12 MB
Uses big.LITTLE technology

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA CPU offers a combination of 2 x 2 GHz and 8 x 1.6 GHz base clock speeds, providing a versatile performance profile. With 14 threads and a turbo clock speed of 4.9GHz, it ensures responsive performance under load. It also features a 12 MB L3 cache and utilizes big.LITTLE technology to optimize power and efficiency depending on workload.

Benchmarks:

Integrated graphics:

GPU turbo 2050 MHz
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
supported displays 4
OpenGL version 4.6
OpenCL version 3

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA features integrated graphics with a GPU turbo speed of 2050 MHz. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and is compatible with up to 4 displays, offering flexibility for multitasking and media-intensive tasks. Additionally, it supports OpenGL 4.6 and OpenCL 3, enhancing its capabilities for various graphics and computational applications.

Memory:

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA supports DDR5 RAM with a maximum speed of 8400 MHz and utilizes dual memory channels for efficient data transfer. It can handle up to 128GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for demanding tasks. However, it does not support ECC memory for error correction.

Features:

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA supports a variety of instruction sets including MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, enabling enhanced performance for specific computational tasks. It also utilizes multithreading to improve efficiency in multitasking scenarios, and includes the NX bit for added security against certain types of attacks.

Final Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA is a solid choice for users seeking a balanced, power-efficient laptop CPU. With its 14 threads, 2 x 2 GHz and 8 x 1.6 GHz base clock speeds, and integrated graphics supporting DirectX 12 Ultimate, it provides reliable performance for multitasking and light gaming. Its 15W TDP ensures good power efficiency, making it ideal for portable devices. While it may not be suitable for demanding professional workloads due to its lack of ECC memory and overclocking capabilities, it serves well for everyday computing needs. Overall, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235UA is a strong contender for casual users and light multimedia tasks.

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