Intel Core 7 350 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 228V Comparison

The Intel Core 7 350 and Intel Core Ultra 5 228V are both mobile processors from Intel, but they target different segments of the laptop market. The Core 7 350 is a 6-core, 6-thread part built on the Wildcat Lake architecture, while the Core Ultra 5 228V is an 8-core, 8-thread processor from the Lunar Lake family. Benchmark data from the database shows a clear split: the Core Ultra 5 228V dominates in multi-threaded workloads, while the Core 7 350 takes the lead in certain single-thread tests. This analysis walks through the recorded numbers, architecture differences, and practical implications for each chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive advantage for the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V appears in the PassMark prime number test, where it scores 168 against the Core 7 350's 107. That is a 36.3% gap, the largest margin in the entire dataset. The physics test also shows a significant gap, with the Ultra 5 228V scoring 1538 versus 1173 for the Core 7 350, a 23.7% difference. These two tests highlight the Ultra 5's stronger integer and computational throughput.

In Cinebench multi-core tests, the Ultra 5 228V consistently wins. The R23 multi-core score is 9932 for the Ultra 5 228V versus 8030 for the Core 7 350, a 19.2% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows 6491 against 5373, a 17.2% gap, and the R15 multi-core test shows 1502.5 against 1220, an 18.8% difference. The pattern is consistent: the Ultra 5 228V delivers roughly 17% to 19% more multi-threaded performance across all Cinebench versions.

The PassMark multi-thread test confirms the trend, with the Ultra 5 228V scoring 18227 versus 15170 for the Core 7 350, a 16.8% difference. Data compression shows 173924 for the Ultra 5 228V against 143123 for the Core 7 350, a 17.7% gap. Integer math follows with 39679 versus 33734, a 15% difference, and floating point math shows 53310 versus 42809, a 19.7% gap. Extended instructions, random string sorting, and data encryption all favor the Ultra 5 228V by margins between 15% and 18.9%.

The Core 7 350 wins four tests, all in single-thread performance. The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 2046 for the Core 7 350 versus 1758 for the Ultra 5 228V, a 16.4% advantage. The R15 single-core test shows 292 versus 267, a 9.4% gap. The PassMark single-thread score is 4100 for the Core 7 350 versus 3836 for the Ultra 5 228V, a 6.9% difference. The R20 single-core test, however, goes to the Ultra 5 228V with 916 against 758, a 17.2% margin. That is an interesting inversion: the Core 7 350 wins two Cinebench single-core tests but loses the R20 version.

Looking at the overall benchmark distribution, the Ultra 5 228V wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests. The average benchmark score reflects this, with the Ultra 5 228V at 21440 and the Core 7 350 at 17779. The Ultra 5 228V also sits at the 75th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Core 7 350 sits at the 71st percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core 7 350 include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, which scores 17891, and the Intel Core 5 120U at 17898, both within 1% of the Core 7 350's average. The Ultra 5 228V's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 at 21484 and the Intel Core i9-11900H at 21367, again within 1%.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V as the stronger processor for most workloads. It wins every multi-threaded benchmark by a margin of at least 15%, and the gap extends to 36.3% in the prime number test. Users running rendering, video encoding, data compression, or any parallel workload should choose the Ultra 5 228V based on these numbers. The 8-core configuration versus the 6-core configuration, paired with the higher base clock of 2.10 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, explains the consistent multi-thread advantage.

The Core 7 350 is the better choice for single-thread-focused applications. Its R23 single-core score of 2046 beats the Ultra 5 228V's 1758 by a significant 16.4%. The PassMark single-thread score of 4100 versus 3836 also favors the Core 7 350, and the R15 single-core test shows a 9.4% lead. The higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.50 GHz gives the Core 7 350 an edge in lightly threaded tasks. However, the R20 single-core result complicates this picture, as the Ultra 5 228V wins that test by 17.2%. The inconsistency suggests the single-thread advantage depends on the specific workload and instruction mix.

For a general-purpose laptop CPU, the Ultra 5 228V delivers more balanced performance. Its average benchmark score is 20.6% higher than the Core 7 350's, and it holds a higher percentile ranking. The only scenario where the Core 7 350 clearly wins is when the application is strictly single-threaded and does not scale to multiple cores, which is increasingly rare in modern software.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design families. The Core 7 350 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is part of the Core 5 generation. The Core Ultra 5 228V uses the Lunar Lake architecture and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2. Both are built on a 3 nm process node, but the foundry differs: Intel fabricates the Core 7 350, while TSMC fabricates the Core Ultra 5 228V.

Core counts differ, with the Core 7 350 offering 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Ultra 5 228V offers 8 cores and 8 threads. Neither processor uses hyper-threading, so thread counts equal core counts for both. The cache hierarchy is similar in the lower levels: both have 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache differs, with the Core 7 350 carrying 6 MB shared and the Ultra 5 228V carrying 8 MB shared.

Memory support diverges significantly. The Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a single-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Ultra 5 228V's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, and it uses a dual-channel memory bus. The database does not record a memory bandwidth figure for the Ultra 5 228V. The dual-channel configuration suggests potentially higher bandwidth, but the lack of a recorded number prevents a direct comparison.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 7 350 uses Gen 4 with 6 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 5 228V uses Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU. The newer PCIe standard on the Ultra 5 228V offers higher per-lane bandwidth, but the Core 7 350 provides more lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 7 350 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Ultra 5 228V uses Arc 130V. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are mobile parts with active production status.

The release dates are far apart. The Ultra 5 228V launched on 2024-09-23, while the Core 7 350 launched on 2026-04-15. The Core 7 350 has a launch MSRP of $469, while the Ultra 5 228V has no recorded launch MSRP. The sockets differ: the Core 7 350 uses Intel BGA 1516, and the Ultra 5 228V uses Intel BGA 2833. The TDP also differs slightly, with the Core 7 350 rated at 15 watts and the Ultra 5 228V at 17 watts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 350 has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 7 350 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V scores 9932, which is 19.2% higher than the Intel Core 7 350's score of 8030.

Q: Which processor is faster in PassMark single-thread?

A: The Intel Core 7 350 scores 4100, which is 6.9% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V's score of 3836.

Q: Which processor uses a dual-channel memory bus?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V uses a dual-channel memory bus. The Intel Core 7 350 uses a single-channel memory bus.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V wins in every multi-threaded workload recorded in the database. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows a 19.2% lead, and the R20 multi-core test shows a 17.2% lead. The PassMark multi-thread test shows a 16.8% advantage, and the physics test shows a 23.7% advantage. Data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, integer math, floating point math, and random string sorting all favor the Ultra 5 228V. The prime number test shows the largest gap at 36.3%. Any workload that uses multiple cores, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or data processing, will run faster on the Ultra 5 228V.

The Intel Core 7 350 wins in specific single-thread tests. The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 16.4% higher, and the R15 single-core score is 9.4% higher. The PassMark single-thread score is 6.9% higher. The higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz likely contributes to these wins. Applications that rely on a single core, such as older games, certain web browsing tasks, or lightly threaded productivity software, will see better performance on the Core 7 350. However, the R20 single-core test goes the other way, with the Ultra 5 228V winning by 17.2%, so the single-thread advantage is not universal.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The base clock is 1.50 GHz for the Core 7 350 and 2.10 GHz for the Ultra 5 228V. The boost clock is 4.80 GHz for the Core 7 350 and 4.50 GHz for the Ultra 5 228V. The TDP is 15 watts for the Core 7 350 and 17 watts for the Ultra 5 228V.

The socket differs, with the Core 7 350 using Intel BGA 1516 and the Ultra 5 228V using Intel BGA 2833. The codename is Wildcat Lake for the Core 7 350 and Lunar Lake for the Ultra 5 228V. The process node is 3 nm for both, but the foundry is Intel for the Core 7 350 and TSMC for the Ultra 5 228V. The L3 cache is 6 MB for the Core 7 350 and 8 MB for the Ultra 5 228V. The memory bus is single-channel for the Core 7 350 and dual-channel for the Ultra 5 228V. The memory bandwidth is recorded as 59.7 GB/s for the Core 7 350, while the Ultra 5 228V has no recorded bandwidth figure.

The PCIe version is Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Core 7 350 and Gen 5 with 4 lanes for the Ultra 5 228V. The integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores for the Core 7 350 and Arc 130V for the Ultra 5 228V. The release dates are 2026-04-15 for the Core 7 350 and 2024-09-23 for the Ultra 5 228V. The Core 7 350 has a launch MSRP of $469, while the Ultra 5 228V has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are mobile parts with active production status.