Intel Arc G3 EXTREME vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME dominates the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H in rendering workloads, with the largest margins recorded in Cinebench multi-core tests. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 10945 against 6381, a 71.5% advantage. The R15 multi-core test shows a 44.7% lead (2192 versus 1515), and R23 multi-core confirms the pattern with a 58.6% gap (14655 versus 9240). These are decisive, not marginal, differences.

Single-core Cinebench results also favor the Arc G3 EXTREME, though by smaller margins. The R20 single-core test shows a 71.7% lead (1545 versus 900), which is the largest single-core delta recorded. R15 single-core has the Arc ahead by 6.4% (267 versus 251). The R23 single-core test is nearly a tie, with the Arc G3 EXTREME at 1862 and the Core Ultra 7 255H at 1843, a 1% difference.

The Core Ultra 7 255H fights back in PassMark math workloads. Floating point math shows a 12% win for the Ultra 7 (98796 versus 86929). Integer math delivers an 8.7% advantage (77975 versus 71164). Prime number finding is the clearest Ultra 7 win, with a 303 score versus 248, an 18.2% gap. PassMark multi-thread is a virtual tie, with the Ultra 7 at 30703 versus 30659, a 0.1% margin. PassMark single-thread also slightly favors the Ultra 7, 4317 versus 4293, a 0.6% difference.

The Arc G3 EXTREME wins the remaining PassMark tests. Data compression shows a 2.8% lead (307094 versus 298850). Data encryption is 2.1% ahead (23881 versus 23395). Extended instructions deliver a 1.1% edge (24017 versus 23755). Physics testing favors the Arc by 11.6% (2515 versus 2254). Random string sorting has the Arc ahead by 3.5% (37331 versus 36058).

The head-to-head tally records 11 wins for the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME and 6 wins for the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H. The Arc wins every Cinebench test and most PassMark tests. The Ultra 7 wins exclusively in PassMark math and threading categories, plus a narrow single-thread margin.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME is the clear choice for content creation and rendering pipelines. Cinebench scores, which simulate 3D rendering and animation tasks, show the Arc delivering between 44.7% and 71.7% higher scores than the Ultra 7 in multi-core and single-core variants. For physics simulations, the Arc also holds an 11.6% advantage, indicating stronger computational physics performance.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins in workloads that stress arithmetic throughput. Floating point math, integer math, and prime number generation all favor the Ultra 7, with margins from 8.7% to 18.2%. These are common in scientific computing, financial modeling, and cryptography. The Ultra 7 also edges out the Arc in PassMark multi-thread (0.1%) and single-thread (0.6%), but those margins are within noise and unlikely to be perceptible.

Data compression and encryption slightly favor the Arc, with 2.8% and 2.1% leads respectively. Extended instruction workloads, which measure SIMD and AVX-type operations, also favor the Arc by 1.1%. The Arc's random string sorting performance is 3.5% higher, which points to better memory access patterns for sorting algorithms.

In summary, the Arc G3 EXTREME is for rendering, physics, and general productivity. The Core Ultra 7 255H is for math-heavy, number-crunching tasks. The multi-thread tie suggests that for mixed workloads, the choice depends on whether the bottleneck is rendering or arithmetic.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 3 nm process node but use different foundries. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME is fabricated by Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is fabricated by TSMC. Both use Intel BGA sockets, but they are not interchangeable: the Arc uses BGA 2540, and the Ultra 7 uses BGA 2049.

Core counts differ. The Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The Core Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads, also without hyperthreading. The Ultra 7 has two additional cores, which contributes to its math workload wins but does not overcome the Arc's rendering advantage.

Cache hierarchies are similar in structure but differ in capacity. Both have 192 KB of L1 cache per core. The Arc has 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Ultra 7 has 3 MB per core. L3 cache is shared: 18 MB on the Arc versus 24 MB on the Ultra 7. The Ultra 7 has 33% more L3 cache (24 MB versus 18 MB) and 20% more L2 per core.

Memory support diverges. The Arc supports only LPDDR5X, while the Ultra 7 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth goes the other way: the Arc has 136.5 GB/s, and the Ultra 7 has 102.4 GB/s. The Arc's bandwidth is 33% higher, which explains its edge in memory-sensitive tasks like random string sorting and data compression.

ECC memory support is exclusive to the Core Ultra 7 255H. The Arc does not support ECC. PCIe lane counts also differ significantly: the Arc offers Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes, while the Ultra 7 offers Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. The Ultra 7 has five times the PCIe lanes, which matters for external GPU or storage expansion.

Integrated graphics differ. The Arc G3 EXTREME features Arc B390 graphics, while the Core Ultra 7 255H features Arc Graphics 140T. Both are Arc-branded, but the B390 designation suggests a higher-tier iGPU.

The Arc G3 EXTREME is based on the Panther Lake codename, while the Ultra 7 is based on Arrow Lake-H. The Ultra 7 belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, whereas the Arc does not carry a series designation. Release dates are separated by over a year: the Ultra 7 launched in early 2025, and the Arc launched in mid-2026.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ.

| Specification | Intel Arc G3 EXTREME | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H |

|---------------|---------------------|-------------------------|

| Cores | 14 | 16 |

| Threads | 14 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 25 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2540 | Intel BGA 2049 |

| Codename | Panther Lake | Arrow Lake-H |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 2.5 MB | 3 MB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 18 MB | 24 MB |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 136.5 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 5, 4 lanes | Gen 5, 20 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc B390 | Arc Graphics 140T |

| Part Number | SA4R3 | SRQAN |

| Release Date | 2026-05-27 | 2025-01-12 |

The Core Ultra 7 255H has higher base and boost clocks (2.00 GHz and 5.10 GHz versus 1.90 GHz and 4.70 GHz). It also has a higher TDP of 28 W versus 25 W. The Arc G3 EXTREME counters with higher memory bandwidth and a later release date.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME has an average benchmark score of 36699, compared to 33537 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H. The Arc sits in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra 7 sits in the 83rd percentile.

Q: How large is the Cinebench R20 multi-core gap?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME scores 10945, which is 71.5% higher than the Ultra 7's 6381. This is the largest multi-core margin in the head-to-head data.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 7 255H win any benchmark by a large margin?

A: Yes, the PassMark find prime numbers test shows the Ultra 7 scoring 303 versus 248, an 18.2% advantage. Floating point math is also a solid win at 12% (98796 versus 86929).

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H supports ECC memory. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME does not list ECC support.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME has 136.5 GB/s, while the Core Ultra 7 255H has 102.4 GB/s. The Arc has 33% higher bandwidth.

Q: How many PCIe Gen 5 lanes does each CPU provide?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME provides 4 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 7 255H provides 20 CPU lanes.

The Verdict

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME is the faster processor overall, with an average benchmark score of 36699 versus 33537 and an 11-6 win tally in head-to-head tests. Its Cinebench dominance is overwhelming, with multi-core leads from 44.7% to 71.5% and a single-core lead in R20 of 71.7%. The Arc's higher memory bandwidth (136.5 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s) and later architecture generation (Panther Lake versus Arrow Lake-H) contribute to these results.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H remains competitive in specific math-heavy workloads. It wins floating point, integer, and prime number tests by margins from 8.7% to 18.2%. It also has a 16-core configuration versus 14, more L3 cache (24 MB versus 18 MB), higher clock speeds (5.10 GHz boost versus 4.70 GHz), and ECC support. For users running continuous arithmetic operations or needing ECC reliability, the Ultra 7 is the data-backed choice.

For rendering, physics simulation, data compression, and general productivity, the Arc G3 EXTREME delivers consistently higher scores. The data shows no scenario where the Ultra 7's math wins overcome the Arc's rendering lead. The Arc also carries a higher percentile ranking (85th versus 83rd) and a higher average score.

The Verdict: pick the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME for rendering and mixed workloads, and pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H only if arithmetic throughput or ECC memory is the primary requirement. The database records favor the Arc in most categories, and its average benchmark score is 9.4% higher.