Intel Core i7-14700HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a closely contested comparison between the Intel Core i7-14700HX and the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, with the former winning 9 benchmark comparisons and the latter taking 8. The margin between them in overall average benchmark score is substantial, however: the i7-14700HX averages 45953 across all tests, while the Ultra 7 356H averages 41215, a difference of roughly 11.5% in favor of the older chip.

The most decisive victory for the Core i7-14700HX comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 24595 against 18395 for the Ultra 7 356H, a 33.7% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i7-14700HX posts 3812 versus 3055, a 24.8% lead. The PassMark integer math test shows the largest single delta: the i7-14700HX scores 131296, which is 58% higher than the Ultra 7 356H's 83111. Data compression also favors the i7-14700HX heavily, with a score of 438539 versus 336177, a 30.4% gap. Random string sorting goes to the i7-14700HX by 18.4% (48544 versus 40990), and the PassMark multithread test shows a 7.6% edge (36566 versus 33978).

The Ultra 7 356H counters with several wins, though the margins are generally smaller. Its largest victory comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 327 against 165, a 49.5% advantage that is a striking reversal given the i7-14700HX's dominance in integer-heavy workloads. Physics simulation also favors the Ultra 7 356H by 22.2% (2895 versus 2252). Floating point math goes to the Ultra 7 356H by 9% (103128 versus 93836), and extended instructions by 7.8% (27898 versus 25718). The single-thread Cinebench R15 test shows a narrow 2.3% win for the Ultra 7 356H (303 versus 296), and PassMark single-thread shows a 3.1% edge (4072 versus 3947). Data encryption is nearly a tie, with the Ultra 7 356H ahead by just 1% (26345 versus 26092).

The single-core picture is mixed. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-14700HX wins by 7.5% (1843 versus 1715), and in R23 single-core it wins by 3.1% (2103 versus 2040). Yet in Cinebench R15 single-core and both PassMark single-thread listings, the Ultra 7 356H takes the lead. This inconsistency suggests the newer architecture has a higher peak in some short-burst workloads while the i7-14700HX maintains an edge in sustained single-thread rendering.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700HX has an average benchmark score of 45953, compared to 41215 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H. The i7-14700HX also sits at the 89th percentile against all CPUs, while the Ultra 7 356H sits at the 87th percentile.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core rendering?

A: The i7-14700HX leads decisively across all three Cinebench multi-core tests. In R15 it scores 3812 versus 3055 (24.8% higher), in R20 it scores 13059 versus 12153 (7.5% higher), and in R23 it scores 24595 versus 18395 (33.7% higher). The PassMark multithread test also favors the i7-14700HX, 36566 versus 33978.

Q: Where does the Ultra 7 356H show clear superiority?

A: The Ultra 7 356H wins in PassMark find prime numbers by a wide margin (327 versus 165, a 49.5% lead) and in physics simulation (2895 versus 2252, a 22.2% lead). It also leads in floating point math (103128 versus 93836) and extended instructions (27898 versus 25718).

Q: What do the nearest rival scores suggest about each chip's positioning?

A: The i7-14700HX's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7303 and AMD EPYC 4364P, both with average scores around 45960, placing the i7-14700HX essentially level with those server-class parts. The Ultra 7 356H's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 (41208) and Intel Core Ultra 7 366H (41263), with the Ultra 7 356H slightly ahead of both.

Q: Which chip wins more benchmark comparisons overall?

A: The i7-14700HX wins 9 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the Ultra 7 356H wins 8. Despite the near-even split in wins, the i7-14700HX's victories tend to be larger in magnitude, particularly in multi-core and integer-heavy tests.

Q: Is there a single-thread winner?

A: It depends on the test. The i7-14700HX wins Cinebench R20 single-core (1843 versus 1715) and R23 single-core (2103 versus 2040). The Ultra 7 356H wins Cinebench R15 single-core (303 versus 296) and PassMark single-thread (4072 versus 3947). The data does not support a clear single-thread leader.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-14700HX is the clear choice for workloads that scale with core count and integer arithmetic. Its 33.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 58% lead in PassMark integer math indicate strength in video rendering, code compilation, and other heavily parallel integer tasks. The 30.4% advantage in data compression points to file archiving and database workloads. Random string sorting, which the i7-14700HX wins by 18.4%, further reinforces its suitability for sorting and text-processing pipelines.

The Core Ultra 7 356H, by contrast, shows its strength in specific computational patterns. The 49.5% lead in PassMark find prime numbers suggests superior per-core efficiency in certain mathematical loops, likely benefiting from the newer Panther Lake architecture's larger L1 and L2 caches. The 22.2% win in physics simulation and 9% win in floating point math indicate advantages in scientific computing and simulation workloads that rely on floating-point throughput. The extended instructions test, which the Ultra 7 356H wins by 7.8%, hints at better SIMD or specialized instruction handling.

For mixed-use mobile systems, the i7-14700HX carries the higher overall average score (45953 versus 41215) and higher percentile ranking (89th versus 87th). The Ultra 7 356H, however, offers a lower TDP of 25 watts versus 55 watts, which may translate into quieter operation and longer battery life in laptops, though the data does not quantify those effects.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Core i7-14700HX has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The i7-14700HX runs at a base clock of 2.10 GHz and boosts to 5.50 GHz, whereas the Ultra 7 356H runs at 1.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The i7-14700HX carries a TDP of 55 watts; the Ultra 7 356H is rated at 25 watts.

Socket compatibility diverges completely: the i7-14700HX uses Intel BGA 1964, while the Ultra 7 356H uses Intel BGA 2540. The i7-14700HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory; the Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both are dual-channel, but the Ultra 7 356H lists a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, a figure not recorded for the i7-14700HX. ECC memory is supported on the i7-14700HX but not on the Ultra 7 356H.

PCIe lane counts also differ: the i7-14700HX provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 356H provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). The i7-14700HX has an unlocked multiplier; the Ultra 7 356H does not. Their part numbers are SRMXG for the i7-14700HX and SA4RGQ9EU for the Ultra 7 356H. Release dates are also distinct: the i7-14700HX appeared on 2024-01-07, and the Ultra 7 356H on 2026-01-04.

Architecture Differences

The Core i7-14700HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-HX refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². The Core Ultra 7 356H uses the Panther Lake architecture, built on Intel's 3 nm process; no die size is recorded for it. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The i7-14700HX has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 356H has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 7 356H help explain its wins in prime-number finding and physics simulation, where repeated access to working sets can benefit from larger L1 and L2. The i7-14700HX's larger shared L3 (33 MB versus 18 MB) gives it an advantage in multi-threaded workloads that share data across cores.

Integrated graphics also differ: the i7-14700HX uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 7 356H uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. The process node difference (10 nm versus 3 nm) is significant, and the Ultra 7 356H's lower TDP reflects the newer manufacturing technology. The i7-14700HX belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, while the Ultra 7 356H belongs to Core Ultra Series 3. The i7-14700HX's generation is listed as Core i7 (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh); the Ultra 7 356H's generation is Ultra 7 (Panther Lake-H).

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split by workload type. For users running multi-threaded rendering, data compression, integer-heavy computation, or any task that can use many threads, the Intel Core i7-14700HX is the stronger processor. Its 20 cores and 28 threads, combined with a 33.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 58% lead in PassMark integer math, make it the choice for sustained parallel workloads. Its higher average benchmark score of 45953 and 89th percentile ranking confirm its overall performance advantage.

For users prioritizing single-thread efficiency in specific mathematical operations, particularly prime-number finding, physics simulation, and floating-point math, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H shows measurable advantages. Its wins of 49.5% in find prime numbers, 22.2% in physics, and 9% in floating point math, along with its 3.1% lead in PassMark single-thread, indicate that the newer Panther Lake architecture delivers better per-core throughput in certain patterns. The 25-watt TDP, compared to 55 watts for the i7-14700HX, also makes it the more power-conscious option, though the data does not include battery or thermal measurements.

The split in wins (9 for the i7-14700HX, 8 for the Ultra 7 356H) might suggest a near-tie, but the magnitude of the i7-14700HX's wins in multi-core tests outweighs the Ultra 7 356H's narrower victories in most single-thread tests. The i7-14700HX also supports ECC memory and has an unlocked multiplier, features absent from the Ultra 7 356H. Users who need those capabilities have only one option between the two. The Ultra 7 356H, with its newer 3 nm process, larger per-core caches, and lower power draw, represents a different trade-off: it trades raw multi-core throughput for efficiency and specific computational strengths. The choice ultimately depends on whether the workload leans toward parallel integer tasks or toward the specialized math operations where the Ultra 7 356H excels.