Intel Core 3 100HL vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data positions these two processors in entirely different performance classes. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins 16 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel Core 3 100HL taking only a single victory in Cinebench R23 single-core. The average benchmark score tells the same story: the Core Ultra 7 356H records 41215 versus 23545 for the Core 3 100HL, a gap that places the Ultra part at the 87th percentile of all CPUs while the Core 3 sits at the 76th percentile.

The Core Ultra 7 356H belongs in systems where multi-threaded throughput, encryption work, and floating-point math dominate the workload. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 with a 0.0% delta, the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H at -0.1%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X at -0.4%, which shows it competes at a desktop-class level despite its mobile designation. The Core 3 100HL, by contrast, aligns with parts like the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U and Intel Core i5-11500, both within 0.7% of its average score.

For users constrained by power budgets, the Core Ultra 7 356H offers a 25 W TDP alongside its superior performance, while the Core 3 100HL requires 45 W. The data does not support choosing the Core 3 100HL except for the narrow case of single-core Cinebench R23 workloads, where it edges ahead by 3.4%. Every other measurable metric favors the Core Ultra 7 356H, often by substantial margins.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different Intel process generations and design philosophies. The Core 3 100HL uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm node, built for the Intel Socket 1700 desktop platform. It belongs to the Raptor Lake-PS family under the Core 3 branding. The Core Ultra 7 356H uses Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm node, designed for the Intel BGA 2540 mobile socket, and carries the Ultra 7 (Panther Lake-H) generation label.

Core counts differ sharply: the Core 3 100HL provides 8 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 356H provides 16 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra part has no hyper-threading on its 16 cores, yet still doubles the physical core count. Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Core 3 100HL offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 7 356H increases each level: 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 3 100HL accepts DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. The Core Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The older chip lacks a listed bandwidth figure. PCIe connectivity favors the newer part: the Core 3 100HL provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 7 356H provides Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 3 100HL carries Iris Xe Graphics with 48 execution units. The Core Ultra 7 356H uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. Both lack ECC memory support and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 3 100HL released in April 2024; the Core Ultra 7 356H released in January 2026. The Core Ultra 7 356H has a recorded part number (SA4RGQ9EU), while the Core 3 100HL lists an unknown part number.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The widest margins appear in compute-heavy PassMark tests. In data encryption, the Core Ultra 7 356H scores 26345 against 11964 for the Core 3 100HL, a 54.6% advantage. Extended instructions show a 55.3% gap (27898 versus 12463). Floating-point math favors the Ultra part by 59.2% (103128 versus 42108). The prime number test delivers the largest relative difference: 327 versus 48, an 85.3% margin for the Core Ultra 7 356H.

Multi-threaded Cinebench results consistently favor the Ultra chip. R15 multi-core shows 3055 versus 1506 (50.7% gap), R20 multi-core shows 12153 versus 6278 (48.3% gap), and R23 multi-core shows 18395 versus 14948 (18.7% gap). The R23 multi-core margin is the smallest of the Cinebench multi-thread tests, suggesting the Core 3 100HL holds up relatively better in that specific workload.

Single-core results split. Cinebench R15 single-core favors the Core Ultra 7 356H at 303 versus 212 (30% gap). R20 single-core shows 1715 versus 886 (48.3% gap). The Core 3 100HL wins the only head-to-head in R23 single-core, scoring 2110 against 2040, a 3.4% advantage. PassMark single-thread and single-thread (duplicate test names) both show the Ultra part ahead: 4072 versus 3735, an 8.3% margin.

Other PassMark tests reinforce the pattern. Data compression shows 336177 versus 202225 (39.8% gap). Integer math shows 83111 versus 56308 (32.2% gap). Multithread shows 33978 versus 17586 (48.2% gap). Physics shows 2895 versus 928 (67.9% gap). Random string sorting shows 40990 versus 23223 (43.3% gap).

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Core 3 100HL | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 16 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base clock | 2.10 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-PS | Panther Lake |

| Generation | Core 3 (Raptor Lake-PS) | Ultra 7 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 12 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 48EU | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2024-04-07 | 2026-01-04 |

| Part number | unknown | SA4RGQ9EU |

Both chips share Intel as manufacturer, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, active production status, and the absence of an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 3 100HL has 8 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How does the TDP compare between the two?

A: The Intel Core 3 100HL is rated at 45 W, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is rated at 25 W.

Q: Which chip wins in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins most single-thread tests: PassMark single-thread shows 4072 versus 3735 (8.3% gap), Cinebench R15 single-core shows 303 versus 212 (30% gap), and R20 single-core shows 1715 versus 886 (48.3% gap). The only exception is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core 3 100HL scores 2110 versus 2040 (3.4% gap).

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The Intel Core 3 100HL supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel configuration. The Core Ultra 7 356H has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s; the Core 3 100HL does not have a listed bandwidth figure.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses a 3 nm process, while the Intel Core 3 100HL uses a 10 nm process.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare to near rivals?

A: The Intel Core 3 100HL averages 23545, within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U (23709) and Intel Core i5-11500 (23718), and 1.1% behind the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H averages 41215, essentially tied with the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 (41208), 0.1% behind the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H, and 0.4% behind the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins across nearly every workload category in the recorded data. The largest advantages appear in prime number finding (85.3% gap), physics simulation (67.9%), floating-point math (59.2%), and extended instructions (55.3%). These are compute-intensive tasks where the combination of 16 physical cores, 18 MB of shared L3 cache, and the 3 nm Panther Lake architecture delivers decisive throughput advantages. Data encryption also favors the Ultra part by 54.6%, making it the clear choice for security-related workloads. The 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth and Gen 5 PCIe with 12 lanes further support data-heavy applications.

The Intel Core 3 100HL holds one narrow win: Cinebench R23 single-core, where it beats the Ultra part by 3.4% (2110 versus 2040). This suggests that in a specific single-threaded rendering scenario, the older chip's higher base clock (2.10 GHz versus 1.90 GHz) and Raptor Lake architecture can edge out the newer part. However, this advantage does not extend to other single-thread tests, as the Ultra part wins R15 single-core by 30%, R20 single-core by 48.3%, and PassMark single-thread by 8.3%.

The Core 3 100HL also serves the desktop segment with an Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 7 356H targets mobile with BGA 2540. The desktop part uses a 45 W TDP, the mobile part uses 25 W. For systems where the data favors the Core 3 100HL, the only measurable justification is the R23 single-core result. For all other recorded benchmarks, the Core Ultra 7 356H delivers higher scores, often by margins exceeding 40%. The percentile rankings reinforce this: 87th percentile versus 76th percentile. Users prioritizing multi-threaded performance, encryption, floating-point math, or physics simulation should select the Core Ultra 7 356H based on the recorded data.