Intel Core 7 350 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V Comparison

Intel Core 7 350 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V: a comparison of two mobile processors with very different priorities. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Core Ultra 7 266V dominates multi-threaded and sustained workloads, while the Core 7 350 takes two notable single-thread wins.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive result in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core Ultra 7 266V scores 16544 against the Core 7 350's 8030. That is a 51.5% advantage, the largest gap in any test. This is not a marginal lead; it is a substantial difference that will show up in rendering, compiling, and any workload that scales across cores. The R20 multi-core result confirms the trend, with the Ultra 7 266V at 6948 versus 5373, a 22.7% lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the same pattern: 1667 for the Ultra 7 266V against 1220 for the Core 7 350, a 26.8% difference.

PassMark multi-thread testing also favors the Ultra 7 266V, which scores 19461 against 15170 for the Core 7 350, a 22% lead. The physics test shows a 27.1% gap (1608 versus 1173), and integer math shows an 18.8% gap (41558 versus 33734). Data compression is another strong win for the Ultra 7 266V: 187050 versus 143123, a 23.5% difference. Data encryption follows at 13822 versus 10933, a 20.9% lead. Floating point math goes to the Ultra 7 266V at 56923 versus 42809, a 24.8% gap. Extended instructions also favor the Ultra 7 266V by 24.4% (15928 versus 12045). The find prime numbers test shows the largest percentage gap after R23 multi-core: 191 versus 107, a 44% difference. Random string sorting goes to the Ultra 7 266V by 24.7% (22905 versus 17238).

The Core 7 350 wins only three tests. Cinebench R15 single-core is its biggest victory: 292 versus 235, a 24.3% lead. This is an unusual result, as the newer Cinebench single-core tests tell a different story. PassMark single-thread is the other win, with 4100 against 3943, a 4% margin. The same score appears twice in the data for both processors, so this is a consistent result. The R20 single-core test goes the other way, with the Ultra 7 266V at 980 versus 758, a 22.7% lead. R23 single-core also favors the Ultra 7 266V at 2335 versus 2046, a 12.4% margin.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design families. The Core 7 350 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, while the Core Ultra 7 266V uses Lunar Lake. Both are built on a 3 nm process, but the foundry differs: Intel produces the Core 7 350, while TSMC produces the Core Ultra 7 266V. The Core 7 350 belongs to the Core 5 generation (Wildcat Lake), and the Core Ultra 7 266V belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2.

Core counts differ significantly. The Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyperthreading. The Core Ultra 7 266V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Both have 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache is where the bigger difference appears: the Core 7 350 has 6 MB shared, while the Core Ultra 7 266V has 12 MB shared. That is double the L3 capacity.

Clock speeds also differ. The Core 7 350 runs at a 1.50 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.80 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 266V runs at a 2.20 GHz base clock and boosts to 5.00 GHz. The Ultra 7 266V has the higher boost clock by 200 MHz, and its base clock is substantially higher. TDP is close but not equal: 15 watts for the Core 7 350 versus 17 watts for the Core Ultra 7 266V.

Memory support and bandwidth are major differentiators. The Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel memory bus, with bandwidth rated at 59.7 GB/s. The Core Ultra 7 266V supports LPDDR5X (depending on motherboard) over a dual-channel bus, with bandwidth rated at 136.5 GB/s. That is more than double the memory bandwidth. PCIe also differs: the Core 7 350 offers Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 7 266V offers Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 7 350 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Core Ultra 7 266V uses Arc 140V.

Sockets are different: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 7 350, and Intel BGA 2833 for the Core Ultra 7 266V. The release dates are far apart, with the Core Ultra 7 266V launching on 2024-09-23 and the Core 7 350 on 2026-04-15. The Core 7 350 has a launch MSRP of $469; the Ultra 7 266V has no launch MSRP recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V wins every multi-core test in the database. The largest margin is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 16544 versus 8030 for the Core 7 350, a 51.5% lead. Other multi-core tests show leads between 18.8% and 44%.

Q: Does the Core 7 350 win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes, it wins three tests. Cinebench R15 single-core is its best result, scoring 292 versus 235 for the Ultra 7 266V, a 24.3% lead. It also wins PassMark single-thread with 4100 versus 3943, a 4% margin. The same PassMark single-thread result is recorded twice in the data.

Q: Why is the Core Ultra 7 266V so much faster in multi-core tests?

A: The data shows two contributing factors. The Ultra 7 266V has 8 cores and 8 threads versus 6 cores and 6 threads for the Core 7 350. It also has 12 MB of shared L3 cache versus 6 MB, and a dual-channel memory bus delivering 136.5 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s on a single-channel bus. The higher base clock of 2.20 GHz versus 1.50 GHz also helps sustained multi-core loads.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speeds?

A: The Core Ultra 7 266V has both the higher base clock (2.20 GHz versus 1.50 GHz) and the higher boost clock (5.00 GHz versus 4.80 GHz). Despite this, the Core 7 350 wins Cinebench R15 single-core and PassMark single-thread.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The Core 7 350 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Core Ultra 7 266V has a TDP of 17 watts. This is a 2-watt difference, which is small in absolute terms but may matter in tightly constrained laptops.

Q: Which processor has the newer release date?

A: The Core 7 350 was released on 2026-04-15, while the Core Ultra 7 266V was released on 2024-09-23. The Core 7 350 is the newer part by a wide margin.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V is the faster processor in the vast majority of tests. It wins 14 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, and the losses are limited to two single-thread tests plus the duplicate PassMark single-thread entry. The multi-core advantage is decisive, especially in Cinebench R23 where the 51.5% lead is impossible to ignore. The dual-channel memory and 136.5 GB/s bandwidth give it a clear edge in memory-sensitive workloads. The higher core count, larger L3 cache, and higher clock speeds all support its position.

The Core 7 350 is the better choice only if the specific workload is Cinebench R15 single-core or the PassMark single-thread test. Those wins are real but narrow in the PassMark case, and the R15 single-core result is an outlier compared to the R20 and R23 single-core tests, both of which go to the Ultra 7 266V. The Core 7 350 also has a lower TDP (15 watts versus 17 watts) and uses a different socket, but the performance gap in multi-threaded work is substantial.

For a buyer selecting between these two, the data points firmly toward the Core Ultra 7 266V for any workload that uses multiple cores, and also for most single-core work based on the newer Cinebench versions. The Core 7 350 holds a narrow single-thread advantage in one test, but that does not compensate for the 51.5% deficit in R23 multi-core. The average benchmark score confirms the overall picture: 23297 for the Ultra 7 266V versus 17779 for the Core 7 350. The percentile ranking also favors the Ultra 7 266V at 76 versus 71.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 350 | Intel Core Ultra 7 266V |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 6 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) | Ultra 7 (Lunar Lake) |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X (depends on motherboard) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) | Arc 140V |

| Release Date | 2026-04-15 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $469 | None recorded |

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 266V wins in all multi-threaded scenarios. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core all go to it, with the R23 gap at 51.5%. PassMark multi-thread, physics, integer math, floating point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, and random string sorting all favor the Ultra 7 266V. The margins range from 18.8% to 44%. Any workload that uses all cores, scales with cache size, or benefits from memory bandwidth will favor this processor. The 12 MB L3 cache and 136.5 GB/s dual-channel bandwidth support this outcome.

The Core 7 350 wins in Cinebench R15 single-core by 24.3% and in PassMark single-thread by 4%. These are the only two unique test wins, and the PassMark result is duplicated in the data. For a workload that specifically matches the older R15 single-core test, the Core 7 350 is ahead. The lower TDP of 15 watts may also make it easier to cool in a thin chassis, though the data does not include thermal measurements. The Core 7 350 uses the newer Wildcat Lake architecture and a different socket, but the performance results do not show an advantage from that newer release date. The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Core Ultra 7 266V is the stronger processor for nearly all tasks.