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Intel Core Ultra 5 338H specifications and in-depth review

Intel Core Ultra 5 338H

Manufacturer: Intel

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is a laptop processor built around a hybrid core architecture that combines different core types to balance workload distribution across tasks. It operates with a base configuration of 16 cores spread across three cluster types, with clock speeds ranging from 1.5 GHz up to a turbo peak of 4.7 GHz, and it pairs its CPU capabilities with an integrated Arc B370 GPU for on-chip graphics output.

On the memory side, the 338H supports DDR5 RAM at up to 8533 MHz across two channels, with a maximum capacity of 96 GB. The integrated Arc B370 graphics run at up to 2400 MHz and are compatible with DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and OpenCL 3, while also supporting up to four simultaneous displays. The chip carries an 18 MB L3 cache, conforms to PCIe 5 for peripheral connectivity, and includes a broad instruction set range covering AVX2, AES, FMA3, and SSE 4.2 among others, all within a 25W thermal envelope and a rated maximum operating temperature of 100 °C.

Pros
  • Supports up to 96 GB of DDR5 RAM, offering substantial memory capacity for a laptop processor
  • Integrated Arc B370 graphics can drive up to four displays simultaneously, adding meaningful multi-monitor flexibility
  • PCIe 5 support ensures compatibility with the latest high-bandwidth peripherals and storage devices
  • The hybrid big.LITTLE core architecture distributes workloads across 16 cores, allowing the chip to handle varied task demands within a 25W envelope
  • Hardware AES instruction support enables accelerated encryption operations directly on the processor
  • NX bit support provides a hardware-level defense against certain memory-based security exploits
Cons
  • With only 12 threads across 16 cores, some core clusters lack dedicated thread pairs, which may limit parallelism in heavily threaded workloads
  • The 25W TDP, while efficient for a laptop, places firm limits on sustained computational headroom compared to higher-wattage mobile processors
  • Turbo Boost version 2 is an older implementation of Intel's boost technology, offering less granular frequency management than newer generations
  • Dual-channel memory configuration means bandwidth scaling is capped at two channels, with no support for wider memory bus configurations
Who is this for?

This processor fits well in thin-and-light laptops aimed at users who need a capable all-in-one chip for everyday productivity and light creative work. The integrated Arc B370 graphics with four-display support makes it a reasonable fit for professionals who rely on multi-monitor setups, while the 96 GB DDR5 memory ceiling gives it meaningful headroom for memory-intensive applications like video editing timelines, large datasets, or running multiple virtual environments. Users who prioritize hardware-accelerated security and broad instruction set coverage — such as developers working with encrypted data pipelines or vectorized computation — will also find the feature set well-suited to their workflows.

Who is this NOT for?

This chip is not well-matched for users who demand sustained high-performance workloads, as the 25W TDP cap limits how long the processor can maintain peak frequencies before thermal constraints pull it back. Gamers or users running GPU-intensive applications will find the integrated Arc B370 graphics insufficient for demanding rendering or high-frame-rate gaming scenarios, where a discrete GPU would be necessary. Similarly, professionals working with deeply threaded workloads — such as large-scale 3D rendering or high-core-count compilation tasks — may find the 12-thread ceiling a bottleneck, as the architecture prioritizes efficiency over raw parallel throughput.

General info:

Type Laptop
Has integrated graphics ✓
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 25W
CPU temperature 100 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
Supports 64-bit ✓

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is a laptop-class processor with a 25W Thermal Design Power (TDP) and a maximum rated operating temperature of 100 °C, keeping it within the thermal constraints typical of mobile platforms. It includes integrated graphics, supports 64-bit computing, and connects to peripherals via PCIe 5, the latest generation of the PCI Express interface.

Performance:

CPU speed 4 x 1.9 & 8 x 1.5 & 4 x 1.5 GHz
CPU threads 12 threads
turbo clock speed 4.7GHz
L3 cache 18 MB
Uses big.LITTLE technology ✓
Turbo Boost version 2

The processor uses big.LITTLE technology to distribute work across three core clusters running at 1.9 GHz (4 cores), 1.5 GHz (8 cores), and 1.5 GHz (4 cores) respectively, with all 16 cores handling tasks across 12 threads. Under sustained load, Turbo Boost version 2 can push clock speeds up to 4.7 GHz on eligible cores, while the 18 MB L3 cache helps reduce memory latency by keeping frequently accessed data close to the processing units.

Benchmarks:

Integrated graphics:

GPU name Arc B370
GPU turbo 2400 MHz
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
supported displays 4
OpenGL version 4.6
OpenCL version 3

The integrated graphics solution is the Arc B370, which operates at a turbo frequency of 2400 MHz and can drive up to four displays simultaneously. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate for modern rendering workloads, alongside OpenGL 4.6 and OpenCL 3 for broader compatibility across graphics and compute applications.

Memory:

RAM speed (max) 8533 MHz
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
maximum memory amount 96GB

This processor supports DDR5 memory running at speeds of up to 8533 MHz across a dual-channel configuration, which allows data to flow between the CPU and RAM over two parallel pathways simultaneously. The maximum supported memory capacity is 96 GB, providing substantial headroom for memory-intensive workloads within a laptop platform.

Features:

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

The processor supports a broad range of instruction sets including AVX2, AES, FMA3, F16C, MMX, AVX, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, covering vectorized math, hardware-accelerated encryption, and extended multimedia operations. It also features the NX bit, a hardware-level security mechanism that helps prevent certain classes of malicious code from executing in memory regions designated as non-executable.

Final Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is a well-rounded mobile processor that strikes a deliberate balance between capability and efficiency, making it a credible choice for productivity-focused laptops and light professional use. Its hybrid 16-core architecture paired with DDR5 support up to 96 GB gives it genuine versatility for memory-intensive workflows, while the integrated Arc B370 graphics with multi-display output adds practical value for users who work across multiple screens. That said, its 25W thermal envelope and 12-thread configuration signal a chip designed for efficiency over raw throughput, meaning users with sustained heavy compute or GPU-demanding needs will find it reaches its limits. For the right workload profile, the Core Ultra 5 338H represents a thoughtfully specced mobile processor with a feature set that extends well beyond basic everyday tasks.