Intel Core i7-12850HX vs Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of direct benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-12850HX wins only 2. The Ultra X7 leads across all Cinebench workloads and most PassMark tests, including single-thread, multithread, physics, encryption, and floating-point math.

Q: How does the Core Ultra X7 358H compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Ultra X7 scores 18,747 versus 16,301.5 for the i7-12850HX, a 13% advantage. Its lead is even larger in single-core R23: 2,080 versus 1,720.5, a 17.3% gap.

Q: Where does the older i7-12850HX outperform the newer chip?

A: The i7-12850HX wins in PassMark integer math (108,076 versus 83,147, a 30% lead) and PassMark data compression (365,829 versus 332,508, a 10% lead). These are the only two tests it takes.

Q: What is the difference in thread counts between the two?

A: Both have 16 cores, but the i7-12850HX supports 24 threads while the Core Ultra X7 358H supports 16 threads. That means the i7 has Hyper-Threading or similar multithreading capability, while the Ultra X7 does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-12850HX has an average benchmark score of 41,779, while the Ultra X7 358H sits at 40,967. Despite winning fewer head-to-head tests, the i7 has a slightly higher overall average, and both chips rank near the 87th to 88th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Do they have the same boost clock?

A: Yes, both list a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The i7-12850HX has a higher base clock at 2.10 GHz versus 1.90 GHz for the Ultra X7, but the Ultra X7 still wins nearly every benchmark.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear generational shift. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is the better processor for almost every measured workload, winning 15 of 17 head-to-head tests. Its Cinebench wins are decisive, with margins ranging from 9.2% to 17.3% across single and multi-core tests. The Ultra X7 also leads in PassMark multithread (33,802 versus 30,627) and single-thread (4,124 versus 3,683). It is the pick for users who prioritize rendering, physics simulation, encryption, and general responsiveness.

The Intel Core i7-12850HX remains relevant only in two specific areas: integer math and data compression. Its 30% lead in integer math (108,076 versus 83,147) and 10% lead in data compression (365,829 versus 332,508) suggest it retains strength in workloads that rely on heavy integer arithmetic and compression throughput. The i7 also offers 24 threads versus 16, which may help in highly parallel software that scales with thread count, though the benchmark data shows the Ultra X7 still wins the multithread PassMark test outright.

For most buyers, the Core Ultra X7 358H is the obvious choice. It is faster in nearly every test, uses a newer 3 nm process, and carries a much lower TDP of 25 watts versus 55 watts. The i7-12850HX should only be considered if the specific workload is dominated by integer math or compression, or if the platform requires DDR4 memory support or ECC memory, which the Ultra X7 does not offer.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Core Ultra X7 358H comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 337 versus 111, a 67.1% advantage. This is not a small margin; it is a workload where the newer architecture completely dominates. Physics also shows a huge gap, with the Ultra X7 at 3,021 versus 1,813, a 40% lead. Floating-point math follows at 103,842 versus 79,337, a 23.6% edge. Data encryption goes to the Ultra X7 as well, 26,046 versus 21,120, an 18.9% margin, and extended instructions show an 18.5% lead (27,274 versus 22,227).

Cinebench results are consistently in favor of the Ultra X7. R15 multi-core shows 3,027 versus 2,679, an 11.5% lead. R15 single-core is 301.5 versus 260.5, a 13.6% edge. R20 multi-core is 12,011 versus 10,907, a 9.2% lead, and R20 single-core is 1,695 versus 1,539, also 9.2%. R23 multi-core comes in at 18,747 versus 16,301.5, a 13% gap, and R23 single-core is the largest Cinebench margin at 17.3% (2,080 versus 1,720.5). PassMark multithread shows a 9.4% lead for the Ultra X7 (33,802 versus 30,627), and single-thread tests show a 10.7% lead (4,124 versus 3,683). Random string sorting is essentially a tie, with the Ultra X7 ahead by only 0.1% (40,357 versus 40,327).

The i7-12850HX takes its two wins with authority. Integer math is a 30% blowout: 108,076 versus 83,147. Data compression is a 10% win: 365,829 versus 332,508. These are meaningful margins, but they are isolated to just two workloads. The overall pattern is unmistakable: the Ultra X7 wins everywhere else, often by double digits.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several key specifications. The i7-12850HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.10 GHz for the i7 versus 1.90 GHz for the Ultra X7, though both boost to 4.80 GHz. TDP is a major difference, with the i7 rated at 55 watts and the Ultra X7 at 25 watts. The i7 uses socket Intel BGA 1964, while the Ultra X7 uses Intel BGA 2540. The i7 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra X7 supports only LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is listed only for the Ultra X7 at 153.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the i7 but not on the Ultra X7. PCIe lanes differ: the i7 has Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra X7 has Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The i7 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ultra X7 does not. The i7 carries a launch MSRP of $428, while the Ultra X7 has no listed launch MSRP. The integrated graphics differ as well: UHD Graphics 770 on the i7 versus Arc B390 on the Ultra X7. The i7 was released on 2022-05-09, while the Ultra X7 is dated 2026-01-04.

Architecture Differences

The i7-12850HX is built on Alder Lake, specifically Alder Lake-HX, using Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². The Ultra X7 358H uses the Panther Lake codename, specifically Panther Lake-H, on a 3 nm process, also from Intel. The i7 belongs to Core 12th Gen, while the Ultra X7 belongs to Core Ultra Series 3. Cache structures differ substantially. The i7 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3. The Ultra X7 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Ultra X7 has much larger per-core caches but less total L3. The i7 has more threads (24 versus 16) and a higher base clock, but the Ultra X7 compensates with a newer, denser process node and larger per-core cache allocation. The Ultra X7 also has a significantly lower TDP of 25 watts versus 55 watts, which suggests the architecture is far more power-efficient per unit of performance. The i7 supports ECC memory and DDR4/DDR5, while the Ultra X7 is limited to LPDDR5X and lacks ECC. The PCIe lane count also favors the i7 at 20 lanes versus 4 lanes on the Ultra X7.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra X7 358H wins in rendering and compute-heavy tasks. It takes every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, in both single and multi-core variants. It also wins PassMark multithread, physics, floating-point math, extended instructions, data encryption, find prime numbers, and single-thread tests. This makes it the better choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, physics simulation, encryption workloads, and general application responsiveness. Its 25 watt TDP also makes it far more suitable for thin-and-light mobile designs, where thermals and battery life matter more than raw thread count.

The i7-12850HX wins in integer math and data compression. The 30% lead in integer math and 10% lead in data compression point to strengths in compression tools, certain database operations, and integer-heavy computation. Its 24 threads and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes may also appeal to users who need more connectivity or run software that explicitly benefits from additional threads, even if the benchmark suite does not reflect that advantage. The i7 also supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory and ECC, which could matter for specific professional or reliability-focused use cases. For anyone whose workload is dominated by integer arithmetic or compression, the i7-12850HX is the safer pick. For everything else, the Core Ultra X7 358H is the clear winner.