Intel Core 5 330 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 366H Comparison

Intel Core 5 330 and Intel Core Ultra 7 366H are both active mobile processors from Intel, but they occupy different tiers within the 2026 lineup. The Core 5 330 is a 6-core Wildcat Lake part, while the Core Ultra 7 366H is a 16-core Panther Lake-H processor. Benchmark data from the database shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the Core Ultra 7 366H winning 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Core 5 330 secures a narrow victory in two single-threaded PassMark tests. The following analysis breaks down where each chip excels, the architectural differences, and the exact performance deltas recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 366H dominates nearly every workload category in the database. In Cinebench testing, it delivers massive multicore advantages: 2870 versus 1325 in R15 multicore, 11960 versus 5523 in R20 multicore, and 28477 versus 13150 in R23 multicore. That represents a consistent 53.8% lead across all three Cinebench multicore iterations. The single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern, with the Core Ultra 7 366H scoring 405 versus 186 in R15, 1688 versus 779 in R20, and 4020 versus 1856 in R23, each showing roughly a 54% advantage.

PassMark workloads also favor the Core Ultra 7 366H decisively. Integer math shows a 60.3% gap (83695 versus 33258), floating point math shows a 57.6% gap (103615 versus 43885), and prime number finding shows the largest relative difference at 65% (326 versus 114). Data compression and encryption follow with 55.6% and 57.1% deltas respectively. Physics simulation favors the larger chip by 58.3% (2880 versus 1201). The multithreaded PassMark score is 33429 versus 15471, a 53.7% advantage.

The only wins for the Core 5 330 come in the PassMark single-threaded tests, where it scores 4088 against the Core Ultra 7 366H's 4043. That 1.1% margin appears in both the "single_thread" and "singlethread" entries, which record identical values. This suggests the Core 5 330 has a slight edge in lightly threaded, short-burst workloads, despite its lower boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. The overall percentile ranking reflects the broader picture: the Core Ultra 7 366H sits at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 330 sits at the 72nd percentile. Average benchmark scores confirm the gap, 41263 versus 18345.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and use different packaging. The Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and fits the Intel BGA 1516 socket, while the Core Ultra 7 366H uses the Panther Lake architecture and codename, fitting the Intel BGA 2540 socket. Both are manufactured on a 3 nm process at Intel's foundry, but the chip designs diverge significantly.

Core counts differ substantially: the Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 366H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Neither processor supports simultaneous multithreading, so thread counts equal core counts. The Core Ultra 7 366H's extra 10 cores explain most of its multicore dominance. Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 5 330 has a 192 KB L1 cache, a 2.5 MB L2 cache, and a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 366H lists L1 as 192 KB per core, L2 as 2.5 MB per core, and a shared 18 MB L3 cache. The larger shared L3 on the Panther Lake part provides more capacity for frequently accessed data across all 16 cores.

Memory architecture separates the two as well. The Core 5 330 uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core Ultra 7 366H uses a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth, nearly double the throughput. Both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory types, and neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: the Core 5 330 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 7 366H provides Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also differ, with the Core 5 330 featuring Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe units, while the Core Ultra 7 366H lists Intel Xe3 Graphics without a core count specification.

Clock speeds and power targets show the Core Ultra 7 366H operating at higher limits. Its base clock is 2.00 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, and its boost clock is 4.80 GHz versus 4.60 GHz. The thermal design power is 25 W for the Core Ultra 7 366H and 15 W for the Core 5 330. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The release dates place the Core Ultra 7 366H earlier, with a 2026-01-04 timestamp, while the Core 5 330 arrived later on 2026-04-15. The Core 5 330 carries a launch MSRP of $309, while the Core Ultra 7 366H has no recorded launch price.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Neither chip uses simultaneous multithreading.

Q: How large is the single-threaded performance gap between the two?

A: In Cinebench single-core tests, the Core Ultra 7 366H leads by roughly 54% across R15, R20, and R23. However, in PassMark single-threaded tests, the Core 5 330 leads by 1.1%, scoring 4088 versus 4043.

Q: What memory bandwidth do these processors support?

A: The Core 5 330 uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 7 366H uses a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth. Both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory.

Q: How do their cache sizes compare?

A: The Core 5 330 has a 192 KB L1 cache, a 2.5 MB L2 cache, and a 6 MB shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 366H specifies 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and an 18 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 7 366H boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the Core 5 330 boosts to 4.60 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 366H also has a higher base clock at 2.00 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings?

A: The Core 5 330 has a TDP of 15 W, and the Core Ultra 7 366H has a TDP of 25 W. The Core Ultra 7 366H also uses a different socket, Intel BGA 2540, compared to Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 5 330.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across multiple specification fields. The most significant differences appear in core count, cache, memory, and connectivity.

| Specification | Intel Core 5 330 | Intel Core Ultra 7 366H |

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

| Cores | 6 | 16 |

| Threads | 6 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Panther Lake |

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

| Process Node | 3 nm | 3 nm |

| 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 |

| Release Date | 2026-04-15 | 2026-01-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not recorded |

Both processors use a 3 nm process from Intel, support DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, lack ECC support, and have locked multipliers. Both are classified as mobile market segments and are currently in active production. The part numbers differ: SAE3G for the Core 5 330 and SA4R9Q9EL for the Core Ultra 7 366H.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons between these two processors, with the Core Ultra 7 366H winning 15 and the Core 5 330 winning 2. The largest wins for the Core Ultra 7 366H come in compute-heavy workloads, while the Core 5 330's wins are narrow and confined to single-threaded PassMark tests.

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. In R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 7 366H scores 2870 versus 1325, a 53.8% delta. R20 multicore shows 11960 versus 5523, also a 53.8% delta. R23 multicore shows 28477 versus 13150, again 53.8%. Single-core Cinebench results are similarly consistent: R15 singlecore is 405 versus 186 (54.1% delta), R20 singlecore is 1688 versus 779 (53.9%), and R23 singlecore is 4020 versus 1856 (53.8%). These deltas indicate the Core Ultra 7 366H's advantage scales evenly across rendering workloads, regardless of thread count.

PassMark results show more variation in the deltas. Integer math favors the Core Ultra 7 366H by 60.3% (83695 versus 33258), the largest margin outside of prime number finding. Floating point math shows a 57.6% delta (103615 versus 43885). Prime number finding shows the biggest relative gap at 65% (326 versus 114). Physics simulation favors the Core Ultra 7 366H by 58.3% (2880 versus 1201). Data encryption shows a 57.1% delta (25845 versus 11076). Data compression shows 55.6% (327455 versus 145287). Random string sorting shows 55.4% (39814 versus 17771). Extended instructions show the smallest PassMark delta at 52.4% (26901 versus 12808). The multithreaded PassMark score shows a 53.7% delta (33429 versus 15471).

The two wins for the Core 5 330 come from the PassMark single-threaded tests, which record identical scores under two test names. Both "passmark_single_thread" and "passmark_singlethread" show 4088 for the Core 5 330 and 4043 for the Core Ultra 7 366H, a 1.1% delta. This result is notable because the Core Ultra 7 366H has a higher boost clock (4.80 GHz versus 4.60 GHz), yet the Core 5 330 manages slightly better single-threaded PassMark performance. The Cinebench single-core results contradict this, with the Core Ultra 7 366H leading by over 50%, so the PassMark single-thread result appears workload-specific rather than a general single-core advantage.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall dominance: the Core Ultra 7 366H averages 41263 across all recorded benchmarks, while the Core 5 330 averages 18345. That is a 2.25x difference in average score. The percentile rankings place the Core Ultra 7 366H at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 330 sits at the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for each chip confirm their respective performance tiers. The Core 5 330's closest competitors include the Intel Core i3-14100 (avg 18318, delta 0.1%), Intel Core 7 360 (avg 18374, delta -0.2%), Intel Core i3-13100 (avg 18380, delta -0.2%), and Intel Core 3 305 (avg 18302, delta 0.2%). The Core Ultra 7 366H's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H (avg 41215, delta 0.1%), AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 (avg 41208, delta 0.1%), AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (avg 41376, delta -0.3%), and Intel Core Ultra X7 358H (avg 40967, delta 0.7%).