Intel Core 7 360 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into clearly different roles. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 7 360 wins only 2. The Core Ultra 5 225H dominates every multi-threaded and heavy compute workload, with its largest margins in integer math, data compression, and floating point operations. The Core 7 360 takes a narrow lead in single-threaded PassMark tests, scoring 4274 against 4258, a delta of just 0.4%. That is the only category where the Core 7 360 shows an advantage, and the margin is razor-thin.

For users running Cinebench renders, the Core Ultra 5 225H is the clear choice. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 225H scores 14629.5 versus 13634, a 6.8% advantage. In the older R20 multi-core test, the gap widens dramatically: 10041 versus 5726, a 43% difference. The R15 multi-core test shows a similar pattern, with 2397.5 versus 1374, a 42.7% gap. These results indicate that the Core Ultra 5 225H is built for sustained parallel workloads, while the Core 7 360 trails significantly.

For single-core tasks, the Core Ultra 5 225H still leads in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 1969 versus 1924, a 2.3% margin. In R20 single-core, the lead expands to 43%: 1417 versus 808. In R15 single-core, the Core Ultra 5 225H scores 288.5 versus 193, a 33.1% gap. The only reversal in single-threaded performance comes from PassMark, where the Core 7 360 edges ahead by 0.4%. This suggests the Core 7 360 has a slight peak-clock advantage in certain lightweight single-threaded operations, but the Cinebench results show the Core Ultra 5 225H is generally faster per core as well.

The PassMark suite amplifies the Core Ultra 5 225H's dominance. Data compression shows 283451 versus 142877, a 49.6% lead. Data encryption runs at 21428 versus 11164, a 47.9% gap. Floating point math scores 86540 versus 44963, a 48% difference. Integer math shows the largest delta at 50%: 68520 versus 34238. The Core Ultra 5 225H also leads in extended instructions by 43.5%, in find prime numbers by 45.5%, in multithread by 44.7%, in physics by 35.4%, and in random string sorting by 47.6%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families and target different segments within Intel's mobile lineup. The Core 7 360 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation. It has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The Core Ultra 5 225H uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-H, and belongs to the Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake-H) generation. It has 14 cores and 14 threads, also without hyper-threading, but with more than double the core count.

Both are built on a 3 nm process node, but the foundries differ. The Core 7 360 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 225H is fabricated by TSMC. This distinction matters for design choices, though the recorded data does not specify any performance impact from the foundry switch.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core 7 360 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225H also has 192 KB of L1 per core but 3 MB of L2 per core and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225H's larger L3 cache is three times the size of the Core 7 360's, which helps explain its strong performance in data-heavy workloads like compression and encryption.

Memory support is identical in type: both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X. However, the memory bus width differs. The Core 7 360 uses a single-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 225H uses a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s, a 71.5% higher theoretical bandwidth. This directly feeds the Core Ultra 5 225H's advantage in memory-intensive tests such as random string sorting and data compression.

PCIe support also splits: the Core 7 360 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 225H offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 7 360 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Core Ultra 5 225H uses Arc Graphics 130T. The Core Ultra 5 225H's graphics solution is part of the newer Arc family, but the database does not include separate graphics benchmarks.

The sockets are incompatible. The Core 7 360 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Core Ultra 5 225H uses Intel BGA 2049. The Core 7 360 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 225H has a base clock of 1.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Both are locked multipliers, and both are marked as active production. The Core Ultra 5 225H launched earlier, on 2025-01-12, while the Core 7 360 has a release date of 2026-04-15.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Intel Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core Ultra 5 225H has more than double the core count.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X. However, the Core Ultra 5 225H uses a dual-channel memory bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core 7 360 uses a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 7 360 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225H's cache is three times larger.

Q: Are there any benchmark categories where the Core 7 360 wins?

A: Yes, the Core 7 360 wins in PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, scoring 4274 versus 4258, a 0.4% margin. This is the only category where it leads.

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

A: The Core Ultra 5 225H has an average benchmark score of 31508, while the Core 7 360 has an average score of 18374. The Core Ultra 5 225H scores roughly 71.6% higher on average.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Core 7 360 uses Intel BGA 1516, and the Core Ultra 5 225H uses Intel BGA 2049. They are not interchangeable.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. Core count: 6 for the Core 7 360 versus 14 for the Core Ultra 5 225H. Thread count: 6 versus 14. Base clock: 1.50 GHz versus 1.70 GHz. Boost clock: 4.80 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. Thermal design power: 15 W for the Core 7 360 versus 28 W for the Core Ultra 5 225H. Socket: Intel BGA 1516 versus Intel BGA 2049.

Architecture and codename differ: Wildcat Lake versus Arrow Lake, with the Core Ultra 5 225H belonging to the Core Ultra Series 2. Generation is listed as Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) versus Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake-H). Foundry: Intel versus TSMC, though both use a 3 nm process. L2 cache per core: 2.5 MB versus 3 MB. L3 cache: 6 MB shared versus 18 MB shared.

Memory bus: single-channel versus dual-channel. Memory bandwidth: 59.7 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. PCIe: Gen 4 with 6 lanes versus Gen 5 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics: Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) versus Arc Graphics 130T. Release date: 2026-04-15 versus 2025-01-12. The Core 7 360 has a launch MSRP of $426, while the Core Ultra 5 225H has no recorded launch MSRP. Part numbers also differ: SAE3E versus SRQAM.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the Core Ultra 5 225H comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 68520 against 34238, a 50% delta. This is a massive gap, indicating the Core Ultra 5 225H's core count and memory bandwidth provide a decisive edge in arithmetic-heavy workloads. Data compression follows closely at 49.6%: 283451 versus 142877. The Core Ultra 5 225H also leads by 48% in floating point math, 47.9% in data encryption, 47.6% in random string sorting, and 44.7% in multithread.

In Cinebench, the R20 multi-core test shows a 43% lead for the Core Ultra 5 225H: 10041 versus 5726. The R15 multi-core test shows a 42.7% lead: 2397.5 versus 1374. The R20 single-core test also shows a 43% lead: 1417 versus 808. The R15 single-core test shows a 33.1% lead: 288.5 versus 193. The R23 tests show smaller margins: 6.8% in multi-core (14629.5 versus 13634) and 2.3% in single-core (1969 versus 1924). These R23 results indicate that newer Cinebench versions narrow the gap, but the Core Ultra 5 225H still wins.

The Core 7 360's only wins come in PassMark single-thread and singlethread, both scoring 4274 versus 4258, a 0.4% margin. This is a negligible difference and likely within run-to-run variance. The Core Ultra 5 225H also leads in PassMark extended instructions by 43.5%, find prime numbers by 45.5%, and physics by 35.4%.

Overall, the Core Ultra 5 225H wins 15 benchmarks and the Core 7 360 wins 2. The Core Ultra 5 225H's average benchmark score is 31508, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. The Core 7 360's average score is 18374, placing it in the 72nd percentile. The Core Ultra 5 225H's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-13500 and AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX, both with matching average scores. The Core 7 360's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-13100 and Intel Core i3-14100, with effectively identical scores.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is the stronger processor in nearly every measurable way. It wins 15 of 17 benchmark comparisons, including all multi-core tests and all Cinebench tests. Its 14 cores, dual-channel memory, 18 MB of L3 cache, and higher clocks combine to deliver an average benchmark score of 31508, which is 71.6% higher than the Core 7 360's 18374. The Core Ultra 5 225H also sits in a higher performance percentile, 82nd versus 72nd.

The Core 7 360's only advantage is a 0.4% lead in PassMark single-thread performance. This is a narrow victory and does not compensate for the Core Ultra 5 225H's dominance in every other category. The Core 7 360 also has a lower TDP of 15 W versus 28 W, which may indicate better efficiency for thin-and-light designs, but the database does not include power consumption measurements, so this cannot be quantified.

For any workload that benefits from multiple cores, memory bandwidth, or large caches, the Core Ultra 5 225H is the correct choice. For workloads that are strictly single-threaded and lightweight, the Core 7 360 offers a marginal edge in PassMark, but Cinebench single-core tests show the Core Ultra 5 225H ahead by 2.3% to 43%. The recorded data does not support choosing the Core 7 360 for any primary task. The Core Ultra 5 225H's higher tier, earlier release, and consistent benchmark wins make it the superior mobile processor in this comparison.