Intel Core Ultra 5 235A socket: LGA 1851
The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A uses LGA 1851 (FCLGA1851). It is a 14-core Arrow Lake desktop processor with a 65 W base power, launched in the third quarter of 2025 alongside the 235 with identical clocks.
- Socket
- LGA 1851
- Launched
- July 2025
- Cores and threads
- 14 and 14
- Base power
- 65 W
- Codename
- Arrow Lake
- Segment
- Desktop
- Family
- Intel Core Ultra 5
- Clocks
- 3.4 / 5.0 GHz
Intel Core Ultra 5 235A specifications
| Cores | 14 (6 Performance-cores plus 8 Efficient-cores) |
|---|---|
| Threads | 14 |
| P-core clocks | 3.4 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo |
| E-core clocks | 2.9 GHz base, up to 4.4 GHz turbo |
| Cache | 24 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) and 26 MB total L2 |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 65 W |
| Maximum turbo power | 121 W |
| Manufacturing process | 3 nm (TSMC N3B) |
| Memory support | DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s, two channels |
| PCI Express | 24 lanes from the CPU: PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 |
| Platform AI throughput | 27 TOPS (Int8) |
| Package | FCLGA1851 |
| Multiplier | Locked |
Motherboard and chipset compatibility
Intel Core Ultra 5 235A needs a motherboard with a LGA 1851 socket. The table shows which chipset series accept it.
| Series | Chipsets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 800 series | Z890, B860, H810, Q870, W880 | Works out of the box |
Board makers publish a CPU support list for every model. Check it for your exact board before buying. Chipset details for LGA 1851.
LGA 1851 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 1,851 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 45.0 × 37.5 mm |
| Introduced | October 2024 |
| Memory | DDR5 only |
| Cooler mounting holes | 78 × 78 mm |
What the Core Ultra 5 235A is
The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is a 14-core member of the Core Ultra 200S Arrow Lake desktop stack on Socket LGA 1851. It runs 14 cores at 3.4 GHz Performance-core base with boost to 5.0 GHz alongside 2.9 GHz Efficient-core base to 4.4 GHz, backed by 24 MB of Intel Smart Cache plus 26 MB of L2 and a 65 W base power with 121 W maximum turbo power. Intel launched the A step in the third quarter of 2025 at a 269 USD recommended price, built on TSMC N3B.
Clocks match the earlier Intel Core Ultra 5 235 exactly, so buyers choose between steppings and price bands rather than performance tiers. Six P-cores plus 8 E-cores suit office towers, home labs, development PCs and mainstream gaming boxes where balanced threads matter more than top-bin frequency. The 3.4 GHz P-core base keeps sustained work fast, while bursts to 5.0 GHz clear interactive spikes.
Against the 14-core Intel Core Ultra 5 245 above it, the 235A gives up base frequency across the cores for a lower price. Against the 10-core Intel Core Ultra 5 225 below it, the 235A adds 4 E-cores for denser multitasking. Platform AI throughput of 27 TOPS covers on-device assistance. See Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works for why chipset series plus BIOS revision together decide board fit.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 235A fits LGA 1851 in the FCLGA1851 package, the same socket as the rest of the Core Ultra 200S family. Boards with 800 series chipsets such as Z890, B860, W880, Q870 and H810 take Arrow Lake at matching power classes, but the 235A must appear by name on the vendor CPU list rather than being assumed from socket fit, because this step postdates many early BIOS releases.
Memory is DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s in two channels. LGA 1851 is DDR5 only, so DDR4 kits from older towers do not carry over. A move from any other socket is a full platform change with board, memory and cooler replaced together.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
Memory on LGA 1851 for this class is DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s in two channels. Two channels keep 14 threads supplied in office, development and gaming mixes where the working set fits tower memory sizes. Population order follows the board manual.
PCI Express connectivity is 24 lanes from the CPU across PCIe 5.0 and 4.0. That lane budget feeds a mainstream discrete card plus an NVMe boot drive without strain. Lane splits follow the board block diagram, so builders confirm slot wiring before adding cards.
Cooling uses standard LGA 1851 retention, and the 65 W class suits stock-style air coolers. Firmware power limits scale between 65 W base and the 121 W turbo ceiling. An AI Boost NPU covers entry on-device assistance beside CPU and graphics.
Upgrade paths
On the same socket, the path up from the 235A starts with the 14-core Intel Core Ultra 5 245 for higher clocks on LGA 1851 boards where the budget allows. The 20-core Intel Core Ultra 7 265 follows for more cores. Each move needs a BIOS that knows the target SKU.
The step down to the 10-core Intel Core Ultra 5 225 trims E-cores for budget towers. A move to LGA 1700 is a different platform with DDR4 options and lower board costs. That change replaces board, memory and cooling from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A use?
FCLGA1851 (LGA 1851), the land grid array socket for Core Ultra 200S Arrow Lake desktops with 800 series chipsets such as Z890, B860, W880, Q870 and H810.
How are the 14 cores of the 235A arranged?
Six Lion Cove Performance-cores plus 8 Skymont Efficient-cores with no low-power island cores, giving 14 cores and 14 threads. There is no Hyper-Threading, so each core runs one thread.
What memory does the 235A need?
DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s in two channels. Exact speeds and capacity follow the board design.
Can the 235A be overclocked?
No. The multiplier is locked, which rules out overclocking. Power limits still scale between the 65 W base and the 121 W turbo ceiling.
Sources and verification
- Intel Core Ultra 5 235A (Arrow Lake, 14 cores to 5.0 GHz, 24 MB, 65 W, Q3 2025, $269)
- Intel Core Ultra 5 235 (Arrow Lake twin, 14 cores, 24 MB, 65 W, TSMC N3B, Q1 2025)
- Intel Core Ultra desktop processors Series 2 brief (65 W table, DDR5-6400, 24 PCIe lanes)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .