CPU Comparison

The Intel Core 7 350 and Intel Core i7-1255U are both 15W mobile processors, but they represent very different design philosophies from Intel. The Core 7 350, built on a modern 3 nm process with a Wildcat Lake codename, is a 6-core, 6-thread part, while the older Core i7-1255U (Alder Lake-U, 10 nm) offers 10 cores and 12 threads. Benchmark data shows the Core 7 350 wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the i7-1255U takes a decisive victory in a few specific workloads. The following analysis breaks down where each chip excels, the architectural reasons behind those results, and which processor is better suited for particular tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking victory for the Intel Core 7 350 comes in the PassMark integer math test, where it scores 33,734 against the i7-1255U’s 48,498. That is a 30.4% deficit for the newer chip, and it is the single largest loss for the Core 7 350 in the entire benchmark suite. Conversely, the Core 7 350 dominates in floating-point math, scoring 42,809 versus 32,618, a 31.2% advantage. This split suggests the Wildcat Lake core is heavily optimized for floating-point and vector workloads, while the Alder Lake hybrid design retains a strong edge in pure integer crunching.

Single-threaded performance is a clear win for the Core 7 350. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2,046 versus 1,647 for the i7-1255U, a 24.2% lead. The same pattern appears in PassMark single-thread, where the Core 7 350 scores 4,100 against 3,192 (28.4% ahead), and in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it wins 292 to 237.5 (22.9% ahead). The boost clock difference is minimal, 4.80 GHz for the Core 7 350 versus 4.70 GHz for the i7-1255U, so the single-core gap is almost entirely attributable to the newer core architecture and process node.

Multi-threaded results are more mixed, reflecting the core-count disparity. The i7-1255U wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 1,387 versus 1,220 (a 12% advantage), and Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 8,285 versus 8,030 (a 3.1% lead). However, the Core 7 350 strikes back in Cinebench R20 multi-core with a score of 5,373 versus 4,635, a 15.9% win. In PassMark multithread, the Core 7 350 also prevails, scoring 15,170 versus 13,234 (14.6% ahead). This inconsistency suggests that the i7-1255U’s extra threads help in some workloads, but the Core 7 350’s higher per-core efficiency compensates in others.

The Core 7 350 shows overwhelming strength in extended instructions and encryption. In PassMark extended instructions, it scores 12,045 versus 8,231, a massive 46.3% lead. Data encryption follows suit, with 10,933 versus 9,262 (an 18% win). The most lopsided result is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 7 350 scores 107 versus 40, a staggering 167.5% advantage. Physics simulation also favors the new chip, with 1,173 versus 789 (48.7% ahead). The i7-1255U’s only other wins are in data compression (147,320 versus 143,123, a 2.8% edge) and the aforementioned integer math. Overall, the Core 7 350’s average benchmark score is 17,779 versus 17,656 for the i7-1255U, placing both processors at the 71st percentile of all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split is process technology: the Core 7 350 is fabricated on Intel’s 3 nm node, while the i7-1255U uses the older 10 nm node. This explains a significant portion of the efficiency and single-thread gains seen in the newer chip. Core counts also differ drastically, the Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i7-1255U offers 10 cores and 12 threads. The i7-1255U relies on Intel’s hybrid Alder Lake design, which pairs performance and efficiency cores, whereas the Core 7 350, with its Wildcat Lake codename, uses a simpler symmetric setup.

Cache hierarchy favors the i7-1255U in total L3 capacity, with 12 MB shared versus 6 MB shared for the Core 7 350. However, the per-core L1 and L2 allocations tell a different story: the Core 7 350 has 192 KB of L1 per core and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, while the i7-1255U has just 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. This larger per-core cache is likely a key driver of the Core 7 350’s superior single-threaded performance, especially in latency-sensitive workloads.

Memory support and PCIe lanes also diverge. The Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory but operates on a single-channel bus, yielding a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The i7-1255U supports DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, though its bandwidth is not listed. The i7-1255U offers significantly more PCIe connectivity, with Gen 4 and 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 350 provides only 6 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 7 350 features Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, whereas the i7-1255U pairs with the older Iris Xe 96EU solution.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core 7 350 wins every single-threaded benchmark in the comparison. It leads by 22.9% in Cinebench R15, 15.9% in Cinebench R20, 24.2% in Cinebench R23, and 28.4% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: Does the i7-1255U’s higher core and thread count translate to a multi-core victory?

A: Not consistently. The i7-1255U wins Cinebench R15 and R23 multi-core by 12% and 3.1% respectively, but the Core 7 350 wins Cinebench R20 multi-core by 15.9% and PassMark multithread by 14.6%.

Q: Which CPU is better for encryption and security workloads?

A: The Core 7 350 is clearly superior, scoring 10,933 in PassMark data encryption versus 9,262 for the i7-1255U, an 18% advantage. It also leads massively in extended instructions by 46.3%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in terms of manufacturing process?

A: The Core 7 350 is built on a 3 nm process, while the i7-1255U uses a 10 nm process. This newer node contributes to the Core 7 350’s efficiency and higher per-core performance.

Q: Is there a difference in memory channel support?

A: Yes. The Core 7 350 uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-1255U supports dual-channel memory, though its bandwidth is not listed.

Q: Which processor offers more PCIe lanes?

A: The i7-1255U offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Core 7 350 provides only 6 lanes of Gen 4. This makes the i7-1255U more suitable for systems requiring extensive connectivity.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i7-1255U has 10 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are listed as 1.50 GHz for the Core 7 350 and 1700.00 MHz for the i7-1255U, though the latter figure appears anomalous; boost clocks are 4.80 GHz and 4.70 GHz, respectively. The process node differs (3 nm versus 10 nm), and codenames are Wildcat Lake versus Alder Lake-U. Cache configurations diverge with the Core 7 350 featuring 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3, whereas the i7-1255U has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Memory support is another differentiator: the Core 7 350 accepts DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus, while the i7-1255U accepts DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus. PCIe lanes also differ (6 versus 20), as do integrated graphics (Intel Xe3 with 2 Xe cores versus Iris Xe 96EU). Sockets are different (BGA 1516 versus BGA 1744), and release dates are far apart, the Core 7 350 launched in 2026, while the i7-1255U dates to 2022. The Core 7 350 has a launch MSRP of $469; the i7-1255U has no listed MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 350 is the pick for almost every compute-heavy, single-threaded, or floating-point task. Its 28.4% lead in PassMark single-thread and 24.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core make it the better choice for general responsiveness, web browsing, and office productivity. It is also vastly superior in scientific and mathematical workloads, as shown by its 167.5% win in prime number finding and 48.7% win in physics simulation. For encryption, compression-adjacent tasks, and any SIMD-heavy code, the Core 7 350’s 46.3% lead in extended instructions and 18% lead in data encryption make it the clear winner. Its 14.6% advantage in PassMark multithread also suggests it can hold its own in moderately threaded applications despite fewer threads.

The Intel Core i7-1255U wins in scenarios where raw integer throughput and heavy multi-threading are paramount. Its 30.4% lead in PassMark integer math is a significant margin, indicating an advantage in tasks like financial modeling, certain database operations, or legacy x86 integer code. The i7-1255U also takes the data compression test by 2.8%, making it slightly better for file archiving or compression workloads. In multi-threaded Cinebench R23 and R15, the i7-1255U’s 10 cores and 12 threads provide a 3.1% and 12% edge, respectively, so users running long multi-threaded renders in older Cinebench versions may prefer it. Its dual-channel memory bus and 20 PCIe lanes also make it the better platform for systems needing more memory bandwidth or expansion options, even if the Core 7 350’s raw compute is often faster.