Intel Core 5 330 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

Intel Core 5 330 and Intel Core Ultra 7 356H occupy different tiers in Intel’s mobile lineup, and the benchmark data reflects that separation clearly. The Core Ultra 7 356H wins 15 of 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Core 5 330 takes only 2. The gap is largest in multi-threaded and data-intensive workloads, but the Core 5 330 manages a narrow victory in single-threaded PassMark testing. Both chips are built on Intel’s 3 nm process and share the same Xe3 graphics architecture, yet their core counts, memory interfaces, and platform features set them apart.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H dominates in every multi-core and throughput-oriented benchmark. Its 16 cores and 16 threads provide a substantial parallel processing advantage over the 6-core, 6-thread Intel Core 5 330. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 7 scores 18395 versus 13150 for the Core 5 330, a 28.5% lead. The margin widens dramatically in older Cinebench versions: R20 multi-core shows 12153 against 5523 (54.6% ahead), and R15 multi-core shows 3055 against 1325 (56.6% ahead). These results indicate the Ultra 7 is the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, and other heavily threaded tasks.

The Ultra 7 also wins decisively in PassMark’s data-oriented tests. Data compression scores 336177 versus 145287, a 56.8% advantage. Integer math shows 83111 versus 33258, a 60% gap. Floating point math delivers 103128 versus 43885, a 57.4% lead. Even the find prime numbers test, which often favors raw integer throughput, goes to the Ultra 7 by 65.1% (327 versus 114). These figures suggest the Ultra 7 handles scientific computing, financial modeling, and database workloads far more efficiently.

The Intel Core 5 330 wins only in PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 4088 against 4072 for the Ultra 7, a marginal 0.4% edge. This is a narrow victory, but it indicates the Core 5 330’s single-core performance is competitive despite its lower core count. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 7 still leads with 2040 versus 1856, a 9% advantage, so the Core 5 330’s PassMark win appears workload-specific rather than a general single-thread superiority. For everyday responsiveness, light office tasks, and older single-threaded applications, the Core 5 330 holds its own, but the Ultra 7 remains faster in most single-thread scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a 3 nm process node and Intel as the foundry, but their underlying designs diverge significantly. The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake architecture, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses Panther Lake architecture. Both are mobile-focused parts, but the Ultra 7 is part of the Core Ultra Series 3, indicating a higher-tier positioning.

Core counts are the most obvious difference: 6 cores and 6 threads for the Core 5 330 versus 16 cores and 16 threads for the Ultra 7. Neither chip implements hyper-threading, so threads equal cores in both cases. The cache hierarchy also differs. The Core 5 330 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 lists 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The per-core L1 and L2 figures for the Ultra 7 suggest a larger aggregate cache when scaled across 16 cores, and the 18 MB L3 is three times the Core 5 330’s 6 MB.

Memory support is another major divergence. Both chips support DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but the Core 5 330 uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ultra 7 uses a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s. That nearly doubles memory bandwidth, which feeds the Ultra 7’s multi-core advantage in bandwidth-sensitive workloads. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Core 5 330 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes. The newer PCIe standard and doubled lane count give the Ultra 7 more headroom for high-speed storage and external GPUs.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 330 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Ultra 7 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics without a specified core count. The Ultra 7’s higher TDP of 25 watts versus 15 watts for the Core 5 330 suggests more sustained performance headroom, especially under load. Both use Intel sockets, but they are not interchangeable: BGA 1516 for the Core 5 330 and BGA 2540 for the Ultra 7.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single benchmark gap occurs in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 7 scores 327 against 114 for the Core 5 330, a 65.1% difference. This is a pure integer workload, and the Ultra 7’s 16 cores provide a massive parallel advantage. Data encryption shows a 58% gap (26345 versus 11076), and physics simulation shows 58.5% (2895 versus 1201). These tests all reward the Ultra 7’s core count and memory bandwidth.

Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core both show a 54.6% gap, with the Ultra 7 scoring 12153 versus 5523 in multi-core and 1715 versus 779 in single-core. This consistent percentage across both tests is notable, suggesting the Ultra 7’s architectural efficiency helps even in single-threaded rendering. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 56.6% (3055 versus 1325), while R15 single-core shows 38.6% (303 versus 186). The R15 single-core gap is smaller than R20 single-core, indicating workload scaling differences across Cinebench versions.

PassMark multithread shows 33978 versus 15471, a 54.5% lead for the Ultra 7. Random string sorting goes 40990 versus 17771, a 56.6% gap. Extended instructions score 27898 versus 12808, a 54.1% difference. These results reinforce the Ultra 7’s dominance in parallel and data-processing tasks. The smallest Ultra 7 victory is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it leads by 9% (2040 versus 1856), a modest margin compared to the multi-core gaps.

The Core 5 330’s only wins are in PassMark singlethread, where it scores 4088 against 4072, a 0.4% margin. The database records this test twice under slightly different names (passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread), and both show identical scores and the same winner. This is a negligible difference in practical terms, but it does show the Core 5 330’s single-core design is not entirely outclassed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Ultra 7 in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Ultra 7 scores 18395 versus 13150 for the Core 5 330, a 28.5% advantage.

Q: Does the Core 5 330 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark singlethread with 4088 versus 4072, a 0.4% margin over the Ultra 7.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The Core 5 330 has 59.7 GB/s with a single-channel bus, while the Ultra 7 has 115.2 GB/s with a dual-channel bus.

Q: Are both chips manufactured on the same process node?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 330 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H use Intel’s 3 nm process.

Q: Which processor has larger L3 cache?

A: The Ultra 7 has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 5 330 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 330 | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |

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

| Architecture | Wildcat Lake | Panther Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) | Ultra 7 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Cores | 6 | 16 |

| Threads | 6 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 192 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not available |

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H carries a higher boost clock (4.70 GHz versus 4.60 GHz) and a higher base clock (1.90 GHz versus 1.50 GHz). Both processors lack an unlocked multiplier and do not support ECC memory. The Ultra 7’s higher TDP of 25 watts allows sustained performance, while the Core 5 330’s 15-watt TDP targets lower-power designs. The Core 5 330 has a launch MSRP of $309, while the Ultra 7 has no listed launch MSRP in the database. Production status is active for both, with the Ultra 7 released earlier (January 2026) than the Core 5 330 (April 2026). The Ultra 7 also sits at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, versus the 72nd percentile for the Core 5 330, with average benchmark scores of 41215 and 18345, respectively.