Intel Core 7 360 vs Intel Core i7-1355U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core 7 360 wins the majority of head-to-head tests, taking 13 of 17 comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-1355U secures 4 wins. However, the margin and nature of those wins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests.

The most dramatic victory for the Intel Core i7-1355U comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 52002 against 34238 for the Core 7 360. That is a 51.9% advantage, the largest delta in any benchmark between the two. This result indicates that for workloads heavily reliant on integer arithmetic, the older Raptor Lake part maintains a decisive edge. The i7-1355U also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by a substantial 32.4% margin, scoring 255.5 versus 193. This is notable because single-core performance is often a strong indicator of everyday responsiveness, yet here the older chip dominates.

The i7-1355U's other wins are more modest. In PassMark data compression, it scores 155727 against 142877, a 9% lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the margin narrows to just 1.4%, with scores of 1393 and 1374 respectively. These results suggest that while the i7-1355U is competitive in certain legacy and specialized workloads, its overall performance profile is not consistently superior.

The Intel Core 7 360 answers with decisive victories in the more modern and demanding benchmarks. The standout result is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core 7 360 scores 13634 against 8286 for the i7-1355U. That is a 39.2% advantage, a massive gap that indicates the Core 7 360 handles sustained multi-threaded workloads far more effectively. Similarly, in Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Core 7 360 leads by 13.6%, scoring 5726 versus 4949.

The Core 7 360 also shows strength in several PassMark tests. In find prime numbers, it scores 120 against 51, a 57.5% advantage. Extended instructions see a 29.6% lead, with scores of 12390 and 8726. Floating point math favors the Core 7 360 by 22.2% (44963 vs 34965), and physics simulation shows a 26.8% gap (1213 vs 888). In PassMark multi-thread, the Core 7 360 scores 15544 against 14299, an 8% lead. Single-thread PassMark results favor the Core 7 360 by 19.4%, with scores of 4274 and 3444.

Notably, the Core 7 360 also wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 13.6% (808 vs 698) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 5.1% (1924 vs 1825). This is a reversal of the R15 single-core result, suggesting that the newer architecture scales better in newer benchmark versions. The random string sorting test is essentially a tie, with the Core 7 360 edging ahead by 0.0% (17636 vs 17631).

Overall, the data points to a generational shift. The Core 7 360 is faster in the workloads that matter most for modern productivity and content creation, while the i7-1355U retains specific advantages in integer math and one legacy single-core test. The average benchmark scores reflect this: the i7-1355U has an average of 18730, while the Core 7 360 sits at 18374, a difference of less than 2%. Both chips rank in the 72nd and 73rd percentiles respectively, placing them within the same performance tier overall.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core 7 360 wins 13 of 17 comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-1355U wins 4. The score distribution is not close: the Core 7 360 dominates in Cinebench R20 and R23 multi-core tests, as well as several PassMark workloads.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i7-1355U have a clear advantage?

A: The i7-1355U leads by 51.9% in PassMark integer math, by 32.4% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and by 9% in PassMark data compression. It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 1.4%.

Q: Is the Intel Core 7 360 faster in multi-core rendering?

A: Yes, significantly. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 7 360 scores 13634 versus 8286, a 39.2% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it leads by 13.6% with scores of 5726 and 4949.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark version. The i7-1355U wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 32.4% (255.5 vs 193), but the Core 7 360 wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 13.6% (808 vs 698) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 5.1% (1924 vs 1825). In PassMark single-thread, the Core 7 360 leads by 19.4% (4274 vs 3444).

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The i7-1355U has an average benchmark score of 18730, and the Core 7 360 has an average of 18374. The Core 7 360 trails by approximately 1.9%, which places both chips in nearly the same performance tier.

Q: Which processor is better for integer-heavy workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U is markedly better in PassMark integer math, scoring 52002 against 34268 for the Core 7 360. That 51.9% margin is the largest gap in any benchmark between the two chips.

The Verdict

The data makes a straightforward recommendation: for users prioritizing modern multi-threaded performance, the Intel Core 7 360 is the clear choice. Its 39.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 13.6% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core indicate that it handles rendering, compilation, and similar workloads with far greater efficiency. The Core 7 360 also wins the majority of PassMark tests, including physics, floating point math, extended instructions, and multi-thread performance.

The Intel Core i7-1355U is not without merit, but its wins are concentrated in specific areas. The 51.9% advantage in integer math and the 32.4% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core are significant for niche workloads, but they do not offset the overall trend. The i7-1355U also has a slight edge in average benchmark score (18730 vs 18374), but this is within 1.9% and does not reflect the breadth of the Core 7 360's victories.

For a user who runs legacy software that relies on R15-era single-core performance or integer math, the i7-1355U may be preferable. For anyone working with modern applications, especially those that scale across cores, the Core 7 360 is the stronger option. The benchmark data shows that the Core 7 360 is the more future-proof processor, even though the i7-1355U holds its own in a few specific tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several fundamental specifications. The Intel Core i7-1355U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The i7-1355U has a base clock of 1700 MHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Core 7 360 has a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. Both have a TDP of 15 watts.

The memory support differs as well. The i7-1355U supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus. The Core 7 360 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but uses a single-channel memory bus. The Core 7 360 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is listed for the i7-1355U.

The PCIe configurations are distinct: the i7-1355U offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 360 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ, with the i7-1355U featuring Iris Xe Graphics 96EU and the Core 7 360 featuring Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). The sockets are different, with the i7-1355U using Intel BGA 1744 and the Core 7 360 using Intel BGA 1516. The launch MSRP for the i7-1355U is $469, and the launch MSRP for the Core 7 360 is $426.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is substantial. The Intel Core i7-1355U is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, and belongs to the Core i7 generation. It uses a 10 nm process node from Intel. The Core 7 360, by contrast, uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. It is built on a 3 nm process node, also from Intel. This process node difference is likely a major factor in the performance and efficiency characteristics observed in the benchmarks.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The i7-1355U has an L1 cache of 80 KB per core and an L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core, with a shared L3 cache of 12 MB. The Core 7 360 has a larger L1 cache at 192 KB per core and an L2 cache of 2.5 MB per core, but a smaller shared L3 cache of 6 MB. The per-core cache sizes are larger on the Core 7 360, which may contribute to its superior performance in certain single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The memory architecture also differs. The i7-1355U supports dual-channel memory, while the Core 7 360 uses a single-channel bus. Despite this, the Core 7 360 records a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, which is notable given the single-channel limitation. The i7-1355U supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core 7 360 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1355U wins in scenarios that reward integer arithmetic and legacy single-thread performance. The 51.9% lead in PassMark integer math makes it the better choice for applications that process large amounts of integer data, such as certain database operations, compression algorithms, or financial modeling. The 32.4% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core suggests that older software optimized for that benchmark generation will run noticeably faster on the i7-1355U. The 9% lead in data compression and the narrow 1.4% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core round out its profile as a chip that handles older or specialized workloads competently.

The Intel Core 7 360 wins in nearly every other category, making it the stronger all-around performer for modern tasks. The 39.2% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a clear signal for video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation. The 22.2% lead in floating point math benefits scientific computing and engineering simulations. The 29.6% advantage in extended instructions supports workloads that use advanced CPU instruction sets, such as cryptography or machine learning inference. The 57.5% lead in find prime numbers indicates superior performance in mathematical and cryptographic workloads that involve heavy number crunching. The 26.8% advantage in physics simulation is relevant for game physics and certain scientific applications.

In single-threaded performance, the Core 7 360 wins in the newer Cinebench R20 and R23 tests by 13.6% and 5.1% respectively, as well as in PassMark single-thread by 19.4%. This suggests that the Core 7 360 is better suited for everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded modern applications. The data compression test is nearly identical, with the Core 7 360 edging ahead by 0.0%, indicating that users will see no practical difference in that workload.

For users who run a mix of modern productivity applications, content creation tools, and multi-threaded workloads, the Core 7 360 is the superior choice based on the recorded data. For users with specific legacy software or integer-heavy workloads, the i7-1355U offers targeted advantages that may be worth considering. The overall win count of 13 to 4 in favor of the Core 7 360 makes the recommendation clear for most use cases.