Intel Core 7 350 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus Comparison

The Intel Core 7 350 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus are both mobile processors, but the data shows they occupy completely different performance tiers. The Core 7 350 is a 6-core, 6-thread part from the Wildcat Lake family, built on a 3 nm process by Intel, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is a 20-core, 20-thread processor from the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh family, also on a 3 nm node but fabricated by TSMC, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins every single recorded test, with margins ranging from roughly 14% in single-threaded workloads to over 80% in multi-core rendering. The Core 7 350 sits at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus ranks at the 93rd percentile, a gap that reflects the significant difference in core count, cache, memory bandwidth, and power envelope.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 41913 compared to 8030 for the Core 7 350, a difference of 80.8%. In PassMark multithread, the Ultra 7 scores 48270 versus 15170, a 68.6% lead.

Q: Is the Core 7 350 competitive in single-core performance?

A: The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus still leads, but by a much smaller margin. In PassMark single-thread, the Ultra 7 scores 4764 versus 4100, a 13.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 7 scores 5917 versus 2046, a 65.4% lead.

Q: What are the cache differences between the two?

A: Both have 192 KB of L1 cache per core. The Core 7 350 has 2.5 MB of L2 per core and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 3 MB of L2 per core and 30 MB of shared L3.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 61834, placing it near the Intel Core i9-13900KF. The Core 7 350 has an average score of 17779, close to the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows no benchmark wins for the Intel Core 7 350. Across all 17 head-to-head tests, the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the winner, which makes the use-case split straightforward. The Core 7 350 is positioned for lighter workloads where its lower power draw and simpler configuration matter, though the data does not include any test where it outperforms the Ultra 7.

The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus dominates every category. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 4224 against 1220, a 71.1% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 17603 against 5373, a 69.5% lead. The PassMark suite shows similar dominance across compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, physics, and random string sorting, with the Ultra 7 leading by margins between 68.6% and 77.8%. The smallest gap is in PassMark single-thread, where the Ultra 7 leads by 13.9%, still a clear win.

For workloads that depend on single-core speed, such as light productivity or everyday responsiveness, the Core 7 350 is closer to the Ultra 7, but it still loses. The data indicates that the Core 7 350 is best suited for scenarios where its lower TDP of 15 watts and single-channel memory are acceptable, while the Ultra 7 is designed for demanding multi-threaded tasks like rendering, compilation, and data processing.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design families. The Core 7 350 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is listed under the Core 5 generation. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation.

Both are built on a 3 nm process node, but the foundry differs. The Core 7 350 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is fabricated by TSMC. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus carries 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core 7 350 has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database.

The core and cache configuration is a major architectural split. The Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads with 2.5 MB of L2 per core and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 20 cores and 20 threads with 3 MB of L2 per core and 30 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 cache on the Ultra 7, 30 MB versus 6 MB, gives it a substantial advantage in workloads that benefit from larger working sets.

Memory architecture also differs significantly. The Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The Ultra 7 offers nearly double the memory bandwidth, which directly supports its higher core count and multi-threaded performance.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The Core 7 350 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes, while the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 7 350 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Ultra 7 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 EU units.

The sockets are not interchangeable. The Core 7 350 uses Intel BGA 1516, and the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus uses Intel BGA 2114. The power envelope is also distinct, with the Core 7 350 rated at 15 watts TDP and the Ultra 7 at 55 watts TDP.

Specification Differences

The core counts are the most obvious difference. The Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads; the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 20 cores and 20 threads.

Base and boost clocks differ. The Core 7 350 runs at 1.50 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus runs at 2.40 GHz base and 5.30 GHz boost.

TDP is 15 watts for the Core 7 350 and 55 watts for the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus.

The Core 7 350 uses Intel BGA 1516; the Ultra 7 uses Intel BGA 2114.

L2 cache is 2.5 MB per core on the Core 7 350 versus 3 MB per core on the Ultra 7. L3 cache is 6 MB shared versus 30 MB shared.

Memory support: the Core 7 350 accepts DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Ultra 7 accepts DDR5 on a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth.

PCIe: the Core 7 350 has Gen 4 with 6 lanes; the Ultra 7 has Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Integrated graphics: the Core 7 350 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores; the Ultra 7 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 EU units.

The Ultra 7 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 7 350 does not. The Core 7 350 has a launch MSRP of $469. The Ultra 7 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus with massive wins in multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 7 scores 4224 against 1220, a 71.1% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Ultra 7 scores 17603 against 5373, a 69.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 7 scores 41913 against 8030, an 80.8% lead, the largest margin in the entire comparison.

Single-core Cinebench results are also decisive. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 7 scores 596 against 292, a 51% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Ultra 7 scores 2485 against 758, a 69.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 7 scores 5917 against 2046, a 65.4% lead.

The PassMark suite reinforces the pattern. In data compression, the Ultra 7 scores 493179 against 143123, a 71% lead. In data encryption, the Ultra 7 scores 37813 against 10933, a 71.1% lead. In extended instructions, the Ultra 7 scores 39283 against 12045, a 69.3% lead. In find prime numbers, the Ultra 7 scores 482 against 107, a 77.8% lead. In floating point math, the Ultra 7 scores 163567 against 42809, a 73.8% lead. In integer math, the Ultra 7 scores 122449 against 33734, a 72.5% lead. In multithread, the Ultra 7 scores 48270 against 15170, a 68.6% lead. In physics, the Ultra 7 scores 3843 against 1173, a 69.5% lead. In random string sorting, the Ultra 7 scores 60020 against 17238, a 71.3% lead.

The closest result is PassMark single-thread, where the Ultra 7 scores 4764 against 4100, a 13.9% lead. This is the only test where the Core 7 350 comes within a reasonable distance, but it still loses.

The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 61834, which places it alongside the Intel Core i9-13900KF and i9-13900K. The Core 7 350 has an average benchmark score of 17779, which is comparable to the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U. The percentile ranking reflects this divide: the Ultra 7 sits at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 7 350 sits at the 71st percentile.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear choice for anyone who needs multi-threaded performance. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the stronger processor in every benchmark recorded, with an average score of 61834 versus 17779 for the Core 7 350. Its 20 cores, 30 MB of L3 cache, dual-channel memory with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, and 55 watt TDP combine to deliver results that rival desktop-class parts like the Intel Core i9-13900KF.

The Intel Core 7 350 is a lighter part. Its 6 cores, 6 MB of L3, single-channel memory, and 15 watt TDP place it in a lower performance tier. Its average score of 17779 puts it near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, which is a much older desktop processor. The Core 7 350 does come close in PassMark single-thread, trailing by only 13.9%, so for basic single-threaded tasks the gap is smaller. It also supports LPDDR5X memory and uses a different socket, Intel BGA 1516, which may fit different system designs.

For heavy rendering, data compression, encryption, or any workload that scales with cores and memory bandwidth, the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the only choice from this comparison. For a more power-efficient, lower-cost mobile design where multi-threaded throughput is not the priority, the Core 7 350 has a role, but the recorded benchmarks show no scenario where it outperforms the Ultra 7.