Intel Core 7 360 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 236V Comparison

Intel Core 7 360 and Intel Core Ultra 5 236V are both mobile processors built on a 3 nm process, but they target different workloads. The Core Ultra 5 236V dominates the majority of the recorded benchmarks, while the Core 7 360 secures a narrow victory in a specific single-threaded test. The data shows a clear performance split based on task type.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Its strongest leads appear in multi-threaded and compute-heavy tasks. The PassMark physics test shows a 19.3% advantage, and the Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows a 12.8% lead. The largest single win is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it outperforms the Core 7 360 by 29.8%. The Core Ultra 5 236V also leads in data compression (19.1%), extended instructions (19.8%), and random string sorting (18.5%). These results indicate a processor built for sustained parallel workloads, such as rendering, scientific calculations, and data processing.

The Intel Core 7 360 wins exactly 2 benchmarks, both for single-threaded performance. It records a 9.8% advantage over the Core Ultra 5 236V in PassMark single thread and PassMark singlethread tests, with identical scores of 4274 versus 3893. This suggests the Core 7 360 has a slight edge in lightly-threaded tasks that rely on a single core, such as older applications or certain legacy software. However, its advantage is confined to this narrow metric, and it loses every other recorded test.

The split is consistent. The Core Ultra 5 236V uses its 8 cores and 8 threads to pull ahead in all multi-core workloads, while the Core 7 360, with 6 cores and 6 threads, relies on a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.70 GHz to win the single-thread test. The data does not show any mixed results; each processor wins exclusively in its respective category.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V is the stronger overall processor for most users. Its average benchmark score of 21952 places it in the 75th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the Core 7 360's average score of 18374 and 72nd percentile. The Core Ultra 5 236V also sits in a higher performance class among its nearest rivals, with a delta of -0.1% against the Intel Core Ultra 5 238V, while the Core 7 360 is statistically tied with the Intel Core i3-13100, with a 0% delta.

For users running multi-threaded applications like video encoding, 3D rendering, or heavy data analysis, the Core Ultra 5 236V is the clear choice. Its 15 benchmark wins include every Cinebench test and every PassMark compute test except single-thread. The 8 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 6 MB on the Core 7 360, also contributes to its stronger multi-core showing. The Core Ultra 5 236V also has a dual-channel memory bus, while the Core 7 360 is limited to single-channel, which explains part of the gap in memory-intensive tasks.

The Intel Core 7 360 is only preferable for users who prioritize single-threaded performance above all else. Its 9.8% lead in PassMark single thread is real but isolated. It offers no advantage in multi-core tests, and its lower core count and smaller cache limit its ceiling. The data does not support choosing the Core 7 360 for general use, as it trails in every Cinebench test and all but one PassMark category.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive win for the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, with a score of 171 versus 120, a 29.8% difference. This test is highly sensitive to CPU integer throughput and cache behavior, and the Core Ultra 5 236V's 8 cores and 8 MB L3 cache provide a clear advantage. The next largest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where the Core Ultra 5 236V scores 15451 against 12390, a 19.8% lead. This indicates stronger SIMD and vector processing capabilities.

The PassMark physics test shows a 19.3% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 236V, with scores of 1503 versus 1213. This test simulates rigid body physics and benefits from parallel execution. The PassMark data compression test also favors the Core Ultra 5 236V, with a 19.1% lead (176554 versus 142877). The Core Ultra 5 236V continues its dominance in random string sorting, scoring 21628 versus 17636, an 18.5% gap.

In the Cinebench suite, the Core Ultra 5 236V wins every test by nearly the same margin. The R15 multi-core test shows 1575 versus 1374, a 12.8% lead. The R20 multi-core test shows 6563 versus 5726, also a 12.8% lead. The R23 multi-core test shows 15628 versus 13634, again a 12.8% lead. Single-core Cinebench results follow a similar pattern, with the Core Ultra 5 236V winning by 13.1% in R15, 12.7% in R20, and 12.8% in R23. This consistency across the Cinebench series suggests a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The only tests won by the Intel Core 7 360 are the two PassMark single-threaded tests. Both record a score of 4274 versus 3893, a 9.8% advantage. This is a substantial single-core lead, but it does not translate to wins in any Cinebench single-core test. The Core 7 360's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz likely drives this result, but its lower base clock of 1.50 GHz versus 2.10 GHz suggests it cannot sustain that boost as effectively in longer workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V has an average benchmark score of 21952, while the Intel Core 7 360 has an average score of 18374.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core 7 360 wins 2 benchmarks.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V scores 171 versus 120, a 29.8% difference.

Q: Does the Intel Core 7 360 win any multi-core test?

A: No. The Intel Core 7 360 loses every multi-core benchmark, including all Cinebench multi-core tests and all PassMark multi-threaded workloads.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 360 has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V's boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use the same 3 nm manufacturing process but are built by different foundries. The Intel Core 7 360 is fabricated by Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V is fabricated by TSMC. The Core 7 360 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation. The Core Ultra 5 236V uses the Lunar Lake codename and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2.

The core configurations differ significantly. The Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 236V has 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The higher base clock on the Core Ultra 5 236V contributes to its stronger sustained performance, while the higher boost clock on the Core 7 360 helps in short single-threaded bursts.

Cache hierarchies are similar in structure but differ in total capacity. Both processors have 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core. The Core 7 360 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core Ultra 5 236V has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 cache on the Core Ultra 5 236V provides more headroom for data-heavy workloads.

Memory support also differs. The Core 7 360 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory over a single-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 236V supports memory depending on the motherboard and uses a dual-channel bus; no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. The dual-channel configuration on the Core Ultra 5 236V explains its advantage in memory-sensitive tests. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Core 7 360 has Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 236V has Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ, with the Core 7 360 using Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores and the Core Ultra 5 236V using Arc 130V. The Core 7 360 has a launch MSRP of $426, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Core Ultra 5 236V. The Core 7 360 was released on 2026-04-15, while the Core Ultra 5 236V was released on 2024-09-23. Both processors are currently marked as Active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.