Intel Core Ultra 7 165H socket: BGA 2049
The Intel Core Ultra 7 165H uses BGA 2049, a soldered BGA for Meteor Lake mobile processors with DDR5 or LPDDR5X and PCIe Gen4. The 16-core chip at 28 W with Intel Arc graphics cannot be replaced.
- Socket
- BGA 2049
- Launched
- December 14, 2023
- Cores and threads
- 16 and 22
- Base power
- 28 W
- Codename
- Meteor Lake
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Core Ultra 7
- Clocks
- 1.4 / 5.0 GHz
Intel Core Ultra 7 165H specifications
| Cores | 16 (6 Performance-cores plus 8 Efficient-cores plus 2 low-power E-cores) |
|---|---|
| Threads | 22 |
| Core architecture | Redwood Cove P-cores with Crestmont E-cores (Meteor Lake) |
| P-core clocks | 1.4 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo |
| E-core clocks | 900 MHz base, up to 3.8 GHz turbo |
| Low-power E-core clocks | 700 MHz base, up to 2.5 GHz turbo |
| Cache | 24 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 28 W |
| Maximum turbo power | 115 W |
| Manufacturing process | Intel 4 |
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 or LPDDR5-7467, up to 64 GB LPDDR5 or 96 GB DDR5 |
| PCI Express | PCIe Gen5 with 8 lanes plus Gen4 lanes from the CPU, plus Thunderbolt 4 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel Arc Graphics, 8 Xe-cores, up to 2.3 GHz, plus AI Boost NPU |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | BGA 2049 soldered |
| Cooler in the box | None (laptop cooling) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Core Ultra 7 165H needs a motherboard with a BGA 2049 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 2049 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 2049 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 2,049 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 50 × 25 mm |
| Introduced | January 2025 |
| Memory | LPDDR5X up to 8400 MT/s or DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s, two channels, up to 128 GB |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Core Ultra 7 165H is
The Core Ultra 7 165H was the fastest Meteor Lake H at launch on December 14, 2023. Six Redwood Cove Performance-cores with hyperthreading plus 8 Crestmont Efficient-cores and 2 low-power island E-cores give 16 cores and 22 threads, with P-cores at 1.4 GHz base and up to 5.0 GHz turbo. The package carries 24 MB of Smart Cache and an AI Boost NPU. Base power is 28 W with turbo up to 115 W where the OEM cooling allows.
Intel Arc Graphics with 8 Xe-cores to 2.3 GHz lead Meteor Lake H graphics for creation and light play. Memory reaches DDR5-5600 or LPDDR5x-7467 for bandwidth that feeds the full GPU well. PCIe Gen5 lanes from the CPU wire fast NVMe plus Thunderbolt 4 docks. The NPU offloads camera effects and local inference.
Performance buyers land here for peak Meteor Lake H turbo before Ultra 9. Six P-cores at 5.0 GHz keep single-thread work ahead of 155H while E-cores cover background tasks. Owners who need more base clock step to 185H on the same BGA 2049 base. The How to find your CPU socket type guide helps confirm BGA 2049 fit.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 165H solders to BGA 2049 on performance thin boards with no socketed path. Board makers set memory type, power limits and Thunderbolt provisioning. BGA 2049 does not cross to LGA 1851 desktop boards. Maker pages list the BGA package as the fit reference.
Platform IO comes from SoC tiles plus board wiring, with NVMe Gen5, wireless and display outputs from the design. Factory firmware carries Meteor Lake support.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR5-5600 SODIMM or LPDDR5x-7467 soldered memory feeds CPU, Arc graphics and NPU together. Capacity reaches 64 GB on LPDDR5 or 96 GB on DDR5 designs. Dual channel doubles graphics bandwidth.
PCIe Gen5 with 8 CPU lanes plus Gen4 lanes wire NVMe and Thunderbolt controllers. Cooling uses dual pipes or vapour with fans for 28 W sustained and up to 115 W bursts.
Upgrade paths
No CPU change is possible on soldered BGA 2049. SODIMM and NVMe swaps move where slots exist, while soldered LPDDR5X stays fixed. Thunderbolt docks add displays.
Within Meteor Lake on BGA 2049 the step up is the 185H with higher clocks on the same 16-core layout. Outside mobile, Arrow Lake-H on BGA 2049 adds newer cores where boards support it.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Core Ultra 7 165H use?
BGA 2049 as a soldered BGA for Meteor Lake mobile processors. It cannot be removed or upgraded.
How many cores does the 165H have?
16 cores and 22 threads: 6 P-cores plus 8 E-cores plus 2 low-power E-cores, with 24 MB cache and a 28 W base power.
What graphics does the 165H include?
Intel Arc Graphics with 8 Xe-cores to 2.3 GHz plus an AI Boost NPU.
How is 165H different from 155H?
Same layout with 200 MHz higher P-core turbo at 5.0 GHz and slightly faster graphics.
Sources and verification
- Intel Core Ultra 7 165H specifications (Intel ARK)
- Intel Core Ultra Meteor Lake processor lineup overview (TechPowerUp)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .