Intel Core Ultra 9 386H VS Intel Core Ultra 5 235U

We are comparing the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H (Intel) with the Intel Core Ultra 5 235U (Intel). Scroll down to the pros and cons of each processor, in-depth specs, and benchmark comparisons.

KEY DIFFERENCES OF Intel Core Ultra 9 386H AND Intel Core Ultra 5 235U

Here’s how Intel Core Ultra 9 386H and Intel Core Ultra 5 235U stack up against each other in their most impactful areas.

Intel Core Ultra 9 386H: 6 advantages Intel Core Ultra 5 235U: 1 advantage

Reasons to consider the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H

6
  • 14% more CPU threads (16 vs 14)
  • 33% more CPU cores (16 vs 12)
  • 100% more performance cores (4 vs 2)
  • 20% more efficient-core threads (12 vs 10)
  • 20% more efficient cores (12 vs 10)
  • 5% higher P-core base frequency (2100 MHz vs 2000 MHz)

Reasons to consider the Intel Core Ultra 5 235U

1
  • 5% higher E-core turbo frequency (4100 MHz vs 3900 MHz)

SPECIFICATION TABLE COMPARISON OF Intel Core Ultra 9 386H AND Intel Core Ultra 5 235U

Below is the detailed specification table comparing Intel Core Ultra 9 386H and Intel Core Ultra 5 235U.

Note: Highlighted specs mean that CPU wins that spec row.

If neither side is highlighted, it is a tie or there is not enough data for both specs.

Specification Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
General Information
CPU Name: Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
Vendor: Intel Intel
Release Date: January 5, 2026 January 6, 2025
Type: Laptop Laptop
Instruction Set: x86-64 x86-64
Codename: Panther Lake Arrow Lake
Package and Thermals
Manufacturing Process: 2 nm 3 nm
TDP (PL1): 15-25 W 12-15 W
Max Boost TDP (PL2): 80 W 57 W
Socket: FCBGA2540 FCBGA-2049
Max Temp (TJMax): 100 C 110 C
CPU Cores
Total Cores
Total Cores 16 12
Total Threads 16 14
P-Cores
P-Cores 4 2
P-Threads 4 4
P-Core Base Frequency 2100 MHz 2000 MHz
P-Core Turbo Frequency 4900 MHz 4900 MHz
E-Cores
E-Cores 12 10
E-Threads 12 10
E-Core Base Frequency 1600 MHz 1600 MHz
E-Core Turbo Frequency 3900 MHz 4100 MHz
NPU
NPU
Cache and Bus
Multiplier Locked Locked
Bus Frequency 100 MHz 100 MHz
L1 Cache 192 KB 112 KB
L2 Cache 2.5 MB 2 MB
L3 Cache 18 MB 12 MB
Memory Support
Memory Types: LPDDR5X-8533, DDR5-7200 LPDDR5-8400, LPDDR5x-8400, DDR5-6400
Max Memory Size: 128 GB 128 GB
Memory Channels: 2 2
ECC Support:
Benchmarks
Geekbench V6
Multi-Core 16098 10570
Single-Core 2874 2442
File Compression 1420 975
Clang Compression 118 78
HTML5 Browser 426 270
PDF Renderer 484 281
Text Processing 286 258
Background Blur 66 48
Photo Processing 158 95
Ray Tracing 24 15
PassMark CPU
Multi-Core — 17255
Single-Core — 3574
Integer Math — 63200
Floating Point — 44400
Prime Numbers — 61
String Sorting — 20600
Data Encryption — 12000
Data Compression — 189300
Physics — 1073
Extended Instructions — 10500
Cinebench 2024
Multi-Core 1187 531
Single-Core 125 100

Tip: ▲ indicates a higher-is-better spec advantage, while ▼ indicates a lower-is-better advantage.

PERFORMANCE CHART COMPARISON OF Intel Core Ultra 9 386H AND Intel Core Ultra 5 235U

The charts below visualize how Intel Core Ultra 9 386H and Intel Core Ultra 5 235U stack up in key performance metrics.

Performance Radar Chart

Category scores overview (0 to 100)
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
Intel Core Ultra 5 235U

Performance Benchmarks

Grey is the market top value. Colored bars show each CPU's relative benchmark reach.
Market Top
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
Intel Core Ultra 5 235U

Release Timeline of Intel Core Ultra 9 386H and Intel Core Ultra 5 235U

Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
364 days
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H

Intel Core Ultra 5 235U was released 11 months, 30 days earlier than Intel Core Ultra 9 386H.

Value For Money Calculator

Prices use available launch or current data. Enter your own prices to see which CPU gives better value.

Intel Core Ultra 9 386H

16C/16T
$
Value Index
0.0

Intel Core Ultra 5 235U

12C/14T
$
Value Index
0.0
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
0%

Calculating...

Domain Score Summary

Scores are generated by Comparigon's scoring algorithm and are intended as a high-level guide. They may not map 1-to-1 with the individual spec-by-spec comparisons shown in the table.

Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
ALL
Overall
Difference: 4
Leads
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
74
Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
70
Single-Core Performance
Difference: 6
Leads
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
73
Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
67
Multi-Core Performance
Difference: 7
Leads
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
66
Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
59
CPU Architecture
Difference: 4
Leads
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
58
Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
54
Memory Architecture
Difference: 0
Tie
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
64
Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
64
Energy Efficiency
Difference: 5
Leads
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
77
Intel Core Ultra 5 235U
72

Our Verdict

In conclusion, the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is slightly better overall compared to the Intel Core Ultra 5 235U. Its strongest advantages are in Single-Core Performance, Multi-Core Performance, CPU Architecture and Energy Efficiency. They are still fairly close in Memory Architecture.

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Disclaimer: Specs, pricing, and benchmarks are sourced from official manufacturer data and verified test results. While we strive for precision, product details and pricing may change. Comparigon may earn an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases.