Intel Core 7 250H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison
Intel Core 7 250H
Core Ultra 5 338H
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 7 250H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H
The Verdict
The benchmark data presents two distinctly different mobile processors. The Intel Core 7 250H wins 5 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H claims 12. The average benchmark score favors the Core 7 250H at 35728, compared to 33989 for the Ultra 5 338H, a difference of roughly 5%. However, the distribution of wins tells a more nuanced story. The Core 7 250H dominates in integer math with a 52.6% advantage, while the Ultra 5 338H leads in extended instructions by 27.6% and in prime number finding by a massive 65.1%. The Core 7 250H sits at the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra 5 338H sits just behind at the 84th percentile. The data suggests the Core 7 250H is the stronger all-around choice for workloads that favor raw multi-threaded integer throughput, while the Ultra 5 338H is better suited for floating-point, encryption, and instruction-heavy tasks. The Core 7 250H has a launch MSRP of $502.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from fundamentally different Intel lineages. The Core 7 250H uses the Raptor Lake architecture on the Raptor Lake-H codename, belonging to the Core 7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. It is built on a 10 nm process node. The Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake architecture on the Panther Lake codename, belonging to the Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H) generation, and is built on a 3 nm process node. Both are fabricated by Intel, but the process node difference is substantial.
The core configurations diverge significantly. The Core 7 250H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The absence of hyperthreading in the Ultra 5 338H is notable, as it has one thread per core. The cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 7 250H uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 338H uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 338H has a smaller total L3 cache but larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.
Memory support separates the two as well. The Core 7 250H supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus. The Ultra 5 338H supports only LPDDR5X, also on a dual-channel bus, but with a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The integrated graphics differ: the Core 7 250H uses Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while the Ultra 5 338H uses Arc B370. The PCIe configuration also differs, with the Core 7 250H offering Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only) and the Ultra 5 338H offering Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The sockets are different as well: Intel BGA 1744 for the Core 7 250H and Intel BGA 2540 for the Ultra 5 338H.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Cinebench results show a split decision. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 7 250H scores 3147 against 2504 for the Ultra 5 338H, a 25.7% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 7 250H wins again with 16561 against 16331, a narrower 1.4% margin. However, in Cinebench R20 multicore, the Ultra 5 338H takes the lead with 10213 against 9697, a 5.1% advantage. The single-core results consistently favor the Ultra 5 338H. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 305 against 298, a 2.3% edge. In R20 single-core, it scores 1441 against 1368, a 5.1% edge. In R23 single-core, it scores 2044 against 1931, a 5.5% edge. The data indicates that the Ultra 5 338H has superior single-thread performance across all three Cinebench versions, while the Core 7 250H wins in two of the three multicore tests.
The PassMark suite reveals the greatest divergences. The Core 7 250H wins decisively in integer math with 99100 against 64934, a 52.6% advantage. It also leads in data compression with 303269 against 276539, a 9.7% edge, and in random string sorting with 34136 against 34082, a slim 0.2% margin. The Ultra 5 338H dominates in several other PassMark tests. It leads in find prime numbers with 304 against 106, a 65.1% advantage. It leads in extended instructions with 23906 against 17318, a 27.6% edge. It leads in floating point math with 84067 against 65094, a 22.6% advantage. It leads in physics with 2697 against 1824, a 32.4% edge. It leads in data encryption with 21367 against 18206, a 14.8% advantage. It also leads in PassMark multithread with 28717 against 27030, a 5.9% edge. In single-thread PassMark, the Ultra 5 338H scores 4180 against 4148, a 0.8% edge.
The nearest rivals in the database provide context. The Core 7 250H sits between the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 at 35719 (0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X at 35909 (-0.5% delta). The Ultra 5 338H sits between the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H at 34083 (-0.3% delta) and the Intel Core i7-12800HX at 33875 (0.3% delta). These comparisons show both processors are competitive within their respective performance classes.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Core 7 250H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The base clock differs substantially: 2.50 GHz for the Core 7 250H versus 1.90 GHz for the Ultra 5 338H. The boost clock also differs: 5.40 GHz for the Core 7 250H versus 4.70 GHz for the Ultra 5 338H. The thermal design power is 45 watts for the Core 7 250H and 25 watts for the Ultra 5 338H, indicating the Ultra 5 338H is designed for lower power envelopes.
The cache specifications differ in all three levels. L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the Core 7 250H and 192 KB per core for the Ultra 5 338H. L2 cache is 2 MB per core for the Core 7 250H and 2.5 MB per core for the Ultra 5 338H. L3 cache is 24 MB shared for the Core 7 250H and 18 MB shared for the Ultra 5 338H. Memory support is broader on the Core 7 250H (DDR4, DDR5) versus LPDDR5X only on the Ultra 5 338H. The memory bandwidth figure of 136.5 GB/s is recorded only for the Ultra 5 338H. PCIe lanes differ: 8 lanes for the Core 7 250H and 4 lanes for the Ultra 5 338H, both Gen 5 and CPU only. The integrated graphics differ, with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU on the Core 7 250H and Arc B370 on the Ultra 5 338H. The release dates differ as well, with the Core 7 250H released in December 2024 and the Ultra 5 338H in January 2026. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 7 250H has a launch MSRP of $502, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Ultra 5 338H.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core 7 250H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads.
Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Core 7 250H has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.
Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two processors?
A: The largest margin is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H scores 304 against 106 for the Intel Core 7 250H, a 65.1% advantage.
Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core 7 250H has an average benchmark score of 35728, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has an average benchmark score of 33989.
Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor in the database?
A: The nearest rival for the Intel Core 7 250H is the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 with an average score of 35719 and a 0% delta. The nearest rival for the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H with an average score of 34083 and a -0.3% delta.
Q: Which processor supports a wider range of memory types?
A: The Intel Core 7 250H supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H supports only LPDDR5X. The Ultra 5 338H has a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s.