Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

Name: Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
Brand: Intel
SKU: 7913

Manufacturer: Intel

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is a laptop processor designed around efficiency and compact thermal targets, operating within a 17W Thermal Design Power envelope. It features eight threads spread across a big.LITTLE core configuration, with base clock speeds of 2.2 GHz across all cores and a turbo frequency reaching 4.8 GHz. Built on a 3 nm semiconductor process and supporting PCIe 5, the chip reflects a modern architectural approach suited to thin and light mobile platforms.

On the graphics side, the Core Ultra 7 256V integrates the Arc Graphics 140V, which runs at up to 1950 MHz and supports up to three displays simultaneously, along with DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and OpenCL 3. Memory support extends to DDR5 at up to 8533 MHz across two channels, with a maximum capacity of 16 GB. The processor also carries a 12 MB L3 cache, a PassMark multi-core score of 19894, and includes instruction set support for AVX2, AES, FMA3, and SSE 4.2, among others.

Pros

The 3 nm semiconductor process allows the chip to operate within a modest 17W TDP, which suits thin and light laptop designs well
DDR5 memory support with speeds up to 8533 MHz across two channels provides substantial memory bandwidth for a mobile processor
The integrated Arc Graphics 140V reaches a turbo frequency of 1950 MHz and supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and OpenCL 3, covering a broad range of graphics workloads without a discrete GPU
PCIe 5 support enables compatibility with the latest high-speed storage and peripheral interfaces
The turbo clock speed of 4.8 GHz gives the chip meaningful burst capability for responsive single-threaded tasks
The NX bit and AES instruction set support add hardware-level security features relevant for everyday laptop use

Cons

Maximum memory capacity is capped at 16 GB, which may be limiting for memory-intensive workloads
Multithreading is not supported, which reduces the processor's ability to handle highly parallel workloads efficiently
The multiplier is locked, preventing any clock speed tuning through multiplier adjustments
With only 8 GPU execution units, the integrated graphics have limited headroom for demanding graphical tasks
ECC memory is not supported, ruling out use cases that require error-correcting memory

Who is this for?

This processor is a solid fit for users who need a capable everyday laptop for productivity, light creative work, and general computing. Its 17W TDP and 3 nm process make it well-suited to slim, portable devices where thermal efficiency matters, and the integrated Arc Graphics 140V with DirectX 12 Ultimate support means it can handle light graphical tasks and media workloads without requiring a discrete GPU. The DDR5 memory support at up to 8533 MHz, combined with PCIe 5 compatibility, also makes it a reasonable choice for users who want a modern platform foundation for everyday multitasking and fast storage access.

Who is this NOT for?

Users with demanding workloads will find this chip limiting in several respects. The absence of multithreading and the 16 GB memory ceiling make it a poor fit for heavily parallelized tasks such as video rendering, large-scale data processing, or virtualization. The integrated GPU, with only 8 execution units, lacks the headroom needed for serious gaming or GPU-accelerated professional applications, and the locked multiplier means there is no path to extract additional performance through clock speed tuning for users who require every bit of throughput their hardware can offer.

General info:

Type	Laptop
Has integrated graphics	✓
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	17W
semiconductor size	3 nm
CPU temperature	100 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version	5
Supports 64-bit	✓

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is a laptop processor built on a 3 nm semiconductor process, keeping its footprint compact while supporting modern workloads through full 64-bit compatibility. It operates within a 17W Thermal Design Power (TDP) envelope, with a maximum CPU temperature ceiling of 100 °C. The chip includes integrated graphics and supports PCIe version 5, reflecting a current-generation platform design suited to mobile use.

Performance:

CPU speed	4 x 2.2 & 4 x 2.2 GHz
CPU threads	8 threads
turbo clock speed	4.8GHz
Has an unlocked multiplier	✕
L3 cache	12 MB
Uses big.LITTLE technology	✓
clock multiplier	22

The processor runs eight threads across a configuration of 4 x 2.2 GHz and 4 x 2.2 GHz cores, with big.LITTLE technology enabling the chip to manage workloads across different core types. It can reach a turbo clock speed of 4.8 GHz when conditions allow, while the clock multiplier sits at 22. A 12 MB L3 cache is available to reduce memory latency during demanding tasks. The multiplier is locked, meaning clock speed adjustments through multiplier overclocking are not supported.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result	19894
PassMark result (single)	4030
PassMark result (overclocked)	20040

In PassMark testing, the processor achieves a multi-core score of 19,894, while the single-core result comes in at 4,030, reflecting per-core responsiveness under isolated workloads. When run in an overclocked configuration, the PassMark score reaches 20,040, a modest step above the standard multi-core result.

Integrated graphics:

GPU name	Arc Graphics 140V
GPU turbo	1950 MHz
GPU execution units	8
DirectX version	DirectX 12 Ultimate
supported displays	3
OpenGL version	4.6
OpenCL version	3

The integrated Arc Graphics 140V features 8 execution units and a turbo frequency of 1950 MHz, with support for up to three displays simultaneously. It is compatible with DirectX 12 Ultimate, alongside OpenGL 4.6 and OpenCL 3, covering a broad range of graphics and compute workloads within a laptop platform.

Memory:

RAM speed (max)	8533 MHz
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
maximum memory amount	16GB
Supports ECC memory	✕

The processor supports DDR5 memory across two channels, with a maximum RAM speed of 8533 MHz and a memory ceiling of 16 GB. ECC memory is not supported, which is typical for consumer-oriented mobile platforms.

Features:

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

The processor supports a range of instruction sets including MMX, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES, F16C, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, enabling compatibility with a wide variety of compute and cryptographic workloads. The NX bit is present, providing hardware-level support for memory protection. Multithreading is not supported on this chip.

Final Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is a well-defined mobile processor built around efficiency and platform modernity rather than raw throughput. Its 3 nm architecture paired with a 17W TDP makes it a practical choice for slim laptops where thermal constraints are a priority, and the inclusion of DDR5 memory support, PCIe 5, and an integrated Arc Graphics 140V rounds out a feature set that covers everyday computing and light graphical workloads competently. Where it falls short — chiefly the 16 GB memory cap, absent multithreading, and modest GPU execution unit count — those limitations are consistent with its positioning as a mobile efficiency chip rather than a workstation-class solution. Users who need a modern, thermally restrained laptop processor for productivity and general use will find it fits that role well; those chasing heavier compute or graphical demands will need to look beyond what this chip is designed to offer.