Intel Arc G3 EXTREME vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME, which wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. The largest margin appears in PassMark data encryption, where the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 23881 against 13998 for the Core Ultra 7 256V, a delta of 70.6%. PassMark data compression shows a similar pattern: 307094 versus 184985, a 66% advantage. The gap in integer math is also substantial, with 71164 versus 43358, a 64.1% lead.

The multi-core Cinebench results follow the same trend. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Arc G3 EXTREME records 10945 points, while the Core Ultra 7 256V manages 6958, a 57.3% difference. The same delta of 57.3% appears in Cinebench R20 singlecore, where the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 1545 versus 982. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the Arc G3 EXTREME at 14655 against 10399, a 40.9% lead, and Cinebench R15 multicore shows 2192 versus 1583.5, a 38.4% advantage.

PassMark multithread and physics tests reinforce the multi-core dominance. The Arc G3 EXTREME scores 30659 in multithread versus 19530, a 57% difference, and 2515 in physics versus 1595, a 57.7% lead. Floating point math shows 86929 against 58576, a 48.4% margin. Extended instructions produce 24017 versus 15643, a 53.5% gap. Prime number finding yields 248 versus 192, a 29.2% edge. Random string sorting records 37331 versus 22481, a 66.1% advantage.

The Core Ultra 7 256V secures only two wins, both in single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, it scores 285.5 versus 267, a 6.5% margin. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the difference is narrow: 1877.5 versus 1862, a 0.8% edge. PassMark single thread, however, favors the Arc G3 EXTREME, which scores 4293 versus 4029, a 6.6% lead. The average benchmark score reflects the overall split: the Arc G3 EXTREME averages 36699, while the Core Ultra 7 256V averages 21112. The Arc G3 EXTREME also holds a higher percentile ranking at 85 versus 75.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME uses the Panther Lake architecture with a codename of Panther Lake, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is based on Lunar Lake architecture with the same codename. Both are built on a 3 nm process node, but the foundries differ: Intel fabricates the Arc G3 EXTREME, while TSMC produces the Core Ultra 7 256V. The Arc G3 EXTREME belongs to the Arc G3 (Panther Lake) generation, and the Core Ultra 7 256V belongs to the Ultra 7 (Lunar Lake) generation.

Core counts create a major structural difference. The Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Arc G3 EXTREME therefore has no hyperthreading, and neither does the Core Ultra 7 256V. The L3 cache also differs: the Arc G3 EXTREME has 18 MB shared, while the Core Ultra 7 256V has 12 MB shared. Both processors have identical L1 cache at 192 KB per core and identical L2 cache at 2.5 MB per core.

Clock speeds show a mixed picture. The Core Ultra 7 256V starts with a higher base clock of 2.20 GHz versus 1.90 GHz for the Arc G3 EXTREME, and it also boosts higher at 4.80 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. The Arc G3 EXTREME compensates with a higher thermal design power of 25 watts versus 17 watts for the Core Ultra 7 256V. Socket types differ as well: the Arc G3 EXTREME uses Intel BGA 2540, and the Core Ultra 7 256V uses Intel BGA 2833.

Memory support diverges. The Arc G3 EXTREME supports LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The Core Ultra 7 256V lists memory support as dependent on the motherboard, also dual-channel, but no bandwidth figure appears in the data. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes for the CPU only. Integrated graphics differ: the Arc G3 EXTREME includes Arc B390, while the Core Ultra 7 256V includes Arc 140V. Both have ECC memory disabled and both have locked multipliers. The part numbers also differ: SA4R3 for the Arc G3 EXTREME and SRPMPSRPMZ for the Core Ultra 7 256V.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME dominates almost every workload category in the recorded benchmarks. Its 14 cores and 18 MB L3 cache drive large advantages in multi-threaded tasks. Cinebench R20 multicore shows a 57.3% lead, and Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 40.9% lead. PassMark multithread confirms this pattern with a 57% advantage. The data compression test, which benefits from core count and cache, shows a 66% edge. Integer math, a heavily parallel workload, shows a 64.1% margin. Floating point math shows a 48.4% lead. Encryption workloads, which also scale with cores, show the largest gap at 70.6%.

The Arc G3 EXTREME also wins in single-threaded PassMark tests despite the Core Ultra 7 256V's higher clock speeds. PassMark single thread records 4293 versus 4029, a 6.6% lead. This suggests the Arc G3 EXTREME's architecture extracts more work per clock in this specific test, even though its boost clock is lower. The Arc G3 EXTREME also wins in extended instructions (53.5%), prime number finding (29.2%), physics (57.7%), and random string sorting (66.1%).

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins in only two Cinebench single-core tests. Its higher base clock of 2.20 GHz and boost clock of 4.80 GHz likely contribute to its Cinebench R15 singlecore win (6.5%) and its narrow Cinebench R23 singlecore win (0.8%). The Core Ultra 7 256V also has a lower TDP of 17 watts, which may suit thermally constrained mobile chassis, but the benchmark data does not include power efficiency measurements. Its 8 cores and 12 MB L3 cache place it in a different performance tier, as shown by its nearest rivals: the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U sits 0.1% lower in average score, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G sits 0.1% higher, and the Intel Core i3-1220P sits 0.2% higher.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields. Core and thread counts are the most obvious: 14 cores and 14 threads for the Arc G3 EXTREME versus 8 cores and 8 threads for the Core Ultra 7 256V. Base clocks differ, with the Core Ultra 7 256V at 2.20 GHz and the Arc G3 EXTREME at 1.90 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with the Core Ultra 7 256V at 4.80 GHz and the Arc G3 EXTREME at 4.70 GHz. TDP differs, with the Arc G3 EXTREME rated at 25 watts and the Core Ultra 7 256V at 17 watts.

Socket types differ: Intel BGA 2540 for the Arc G3 EXTREME and Intel BGA 2833 for the Core Ultra 7 256V. The architecture and codename differ, with Panther Lake for the Arc G3 EXTREME and Lunar Lake for the Core Ultra 7 256V. The foundry differs, with Intel for the Arc G3 EXTREME and TSMC for the Core Ultra 7 256V. L3 cache differs, with 18 MB for the Arc G3 EXTREME and 12 MB for the Core Ultra 7 256V. Memory support differs, with LPDDR5X for the Arc G3 EXTREME and motherboard-dependent support for the Core Ultra 7 256V. Memory bandwidth appears only for the Arc G3 EXTREME at 136.5 GB/s. Integrated graphics differ, with Arc B390 for the Arc G3 EXTREME and Arc 140V for the Core Ultra 7 256V. Release dates differ, with the Core Ultra 7 256V released on 2024-09-23 and the Arc G3 EXTREME on 2026-05-27.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How large is the L3 cache on each processor?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME has an average benchmark score of 36699, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has an average score of 21112.

Q: In which benchmarks does the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V win?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins in Cinebench R15 singlecore with a 6.5% margin and in Cinebench R23 singlecore with a 0.8% margin.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME has a TDP of 25 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has a TDP of 17 watts.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME for multi-threaded and most single-threaded workloads. Its 14 cores, 18 MB L3 cache, and higher TDP of 25 watts deliver consistent advantages across Cinebench and PassMark suites. The 57.3% lead in Cinebench R20 multicore and the 66% lead in data compression indicate a processor built for parallel throughput. Users running rendering, compression, encryption, or math-heavy tasks should select the Arc G3 EXTREME based on these recorded results.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V serves a narrower role. Its wins in Cinebench R15 and R23 singlecore, combined with a lower TDP of 17 watts, make it suitable for light single-threaded workloads and thermally constrained systems. The 0.8% margin in Cinebench R23 singlecore is small, but the 6.5% margin in Cinebench R15 singlecore is more meaningful. Its 8 cores and 12 MB L3 cache place it in a lower performance tier, as reflected by its 75 percentile versus 85 percentile for the Arc G3 EXTREME.

The Arc G3 EXTREME also holds a higher PassMark single thread score of 4293 versus 4029, indicating that its architectural efficiency compensates for its lower clock speeds in that test. The Core Ultra 7 256V is the better choice only when single-core Cinebench performance and lower power draw take priority. For all other recorded metrics, the Arc G3 EXTREME is the stronger processor. The release dates also matter: the Arc G3 EXTREME launched on 2026-05-27, while the Core Ultra 7 256V launched on 2024-09-23, making the Arc G3 EXTREME the more recent design.