Intel Core i5-14400 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

Intel Core i5-14400 is a desktop processor built on the Raptor Lake architecture, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is a mobile processor built on the newer Panther Lake architecture. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Ultra 7 356H dominates in most multi-threaded and workload-specific tests, while the i5-14400 wins decisively in Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core tests. This makes for a nuanced comparison where the overall faster chip depends entirely on the specific workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23. The i5-14400 scores 21315 in multi-core, which is 15.9% ahead of the Ultra 7 356H's 18395. In single-core R23, the gap is even larger: the i5-14400 scores 3009 versus 2040 for the Ultra 7, a 47.5% advantage. These are the two biggest wins for the desktop part, and they indicate a significant architectural advantage in sustained single-threaded performance and in the R23 multi-core workload specifically.

However, the Ultra 7 356H wins 14 of the 17 head-to-head tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 3055 versus 2148 for the i5-14400, a 29.7% lead. In R20 multi-core, it scores 12153 versus 8952, a 26.3% lead. The single-core R20 test also favors the Ultra 7: 1715 versus 1263, a 26.4% lead. Interestingly, in Cinebench R15 single-core, both chips score exactly 303, indicating a tie in that specific test.

The PassMark suite shows a comprehensive victory for the Ultra 7 356H. Its multithread score of 33978 beats the i5-14400's 25080 by 26.2%. Physics performance is a major differentiator: the Ultra 7 scores 2895 versus 1396, an 51.8% lead. Floating point math shows 103128 versus 61549, a 40.3% advantage. Data encryption is 26345 versus 16731, a 36.5% lead. Extended instructions are 27898 versus 19816, a 29% lead. Prime number finding is 327 versus 80, a massive 75.5% lead. Data compression is 336177 versus 314995, a 6.3% lead. Random string sorting is 40990 versus 32346, a 21.1% lead. Integer math is close at 83111 versus 82017, a 1.3% lead. Single-thread PassMark is 4072 versus 3741, an 8.1% lead.

The overall average benchmark score confirms the Ultra 7's dominance: 41215 versus 32115, which places it at the 87th percentile versus the i5-14400's 82nd percentile. The i5-14400's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-12800H with an average score of 32121 and a 0% delta, while the Ultra 7 356H's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 with an average score of 41208 and a 0% delta.

Architecture Differences

The i5-14400 uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, while the Ultra 7 356H uses the Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel. The i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning the Ultra 7 has no hyper-threading on any of its cores. The base clock of the i5-14400 is 2.50 GHz, versus 1.90 GHz for the Ultra 7. Both share the same 4.70 GHz boost clock.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The i5-14400 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 356H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The L3 cache is slightly smaller on the Ultra 7, but the per-core L1 and L2 allocations are much larger.

Memory support also differs. The i5-14400 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration and has ECC memory support. The Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory in a dual-channel configuration, has no ECC support, and its memory bandwidth is rated at 115.2 GB/s. The PCIe configuration differs as well: the i5-14400 uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 uses Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only).

The integrated graphics are different: the i5-14400 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 7 356H uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. The i5-14400 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with a 65 W TDP, while the Ultra 7 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2540 with a 25 W TDP. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has an average benchmark score of 41215, compared to 32115 for the Intel Core i5-14400.

Q: Where does the i5-14400 beat the Ultra 7 356H?

A: The i5-14400 wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (21315 vs 18395, a 15.9% lead) and Cinebench R23 single-core (3009 vs 2040, a 47.5% lead). It also ties in Cinebench R15 single-core with a score of 303 for both.

Q: How much faster is the Ultra 7 in PassMark multithread?

A: The Ultra 7 356H scores 33978 in PassMark multithread versus 25080 for the i5-14400, which is a 26.2% advantage.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each chip?

A: The i5-14400 has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Do both processors have the same boost clock?

A: Yes, both the i5-14400 and the Ultra 7 356H have a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: The i5-14400 supports ECC memory. The Ultra 7 356H does not support ECC memory.

The Verdict

The data indicates two different performance profiles. The i5-14400 is the stronger choice for workloads that rely on high single-thread performance and the specific Cinebench R23 benchmark, where it leads by 47.5% in single-core and 15.9% in multi-core. Its 10 cores with 16 threads and 20 MB of L3 cache deliver strong results in those tests.

The Ultra 7 356H is the better overall performer in the majority of measured workloads. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, including all PassMark tests, and shows particularly large margins in physics (51.8%), floating point math (40.3%), and prime number finding (75.5%). Its 16 cores, larger per-core cache allocations, and 3 nm process node give it a substantial edge in these compute-heavy tasks.

For a desktop user focused on Cinebench rendering or single-threaded applications, the i5-14400 is the clear pick based on the recorded data. For a mobile user or anyone running the broader set of PassMark workloads, the Ultra 7 356H is the faster chip. The 25 W TDP of the Ultra 7 versus the 65 W TDP of the i5-14400 also indicates the mobile part is more power-efficient, though the i5-14400's desktop platform allows for higher sustained power delivery.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14400 | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |

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

| Cores | 10 | 16 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | Not specified |

Where Each One Wins

The i5-14400 wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core, and ties in Cinebench R15 single-core. This makes it the better choice for users whose primary benchmark is R23, which often correlates with rendering workloads in applications that use that engine. Its 47.5% single-core lead in R23 is the largest margin of any test, suggesting a strong advantage in lightly-threaded tasks that depend on that benchmark's scoring.

The Ultra 7 356H wins every other recorded test. Its largest margins are in prime number finding (75.5% lead), physics (51.8% lead), and floating point math (40.3% lead). It also shows significant advantages in data encryption (36.5%), extended instructions (29%), and multithread (26.2%). This makes it the dominant chip for scientific computing, encryption workloads, and general multi-threaded productivity tasks as measured by the PassMark suite. Its single-thread PassMark score also leads by 8.1%, showing a more consistent advantage across the board. The only close result is integer math, where the Ultra 7 leads by just 1.3%.