Intel Core i9-12950HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-12950HX records an average benchmark score of 42487, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H sits at 41215. The i9-12950HX also holds an 88th percentile ranking versus 87th for the Ultra 7 356H.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The i9-12950HX wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 20263 against 18395 for the Ultra 7 356H, a margin of 10.2%. This is the largest multi-core win for the i9 in the benchmark suite.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded tasks?

A: The Core Ultra 7 356H leads in every single-core test. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 2040 versus 1885 for the i9-12950HX, a 7.6% advantage. PassMark single-thread results show a similar pattern: 4072 versus 3778.

Q: Are there any workloads where the Core Ultra 7 356H is dramatically ahead?

A: Yes, the Ultra 7 356H dominates in PassMark find prime numbers with a score of 327 versus 135 for the i9-12950HX, a 58.7% lead. It also excels in floating point math, scoring 103128 versus 80402, a 22% advantage.

Q: What about integer math performance?

A: The i9-12950HX is far ahead in PassMark integer math, scoring 109586 versus 83111 for the Ultra 7 356H, a 31.9% lead. This is the largest win for the i9 in any benchmark.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor claim?

A: Out of 17 head-to-head tests, the Core Ultra 7 356H wins 12, while the i9-12950HX wins 5. The Ultra 7 also wins the Cinebench R20 multi-core test (12153 versus 11061) and PassMark multithread (33978 versus 31673).

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-12950HX is built on Alder Lake architecture, using a 10 nm process node from Intel. It features 16 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The die size is 215 mm², and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. It also supports ECC memory and uses Intel BGA 1964 socket.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is based on Panther Lake architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process node. It also has 16 cores but only 16 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. Its cache is larger per core: 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, but the shared L3 is smaller at 18 MB. It supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, but does not support ECC. It uses Intel BGA 2540 socket.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the i9-12950HX includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 7 356H comes with Intel Xe3 Graphics. The i9-12950HX has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Ultra 7 356H has 12 Gen 5 lanes. The Ultra 7 356H also lacks a launch MSRP in the database, while the i9-12950HX has a launch MSRP of $590. Both processors have locked multipliers and are classified as mobile segments, with active production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits these two processors into distinct performance profiles. The i9-12950HX takes the Cinebench R23 multi-core test decisively: 20263 versus 18395, a 10.2% lead. It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core narrowly, 3107 versus 3055, a 1.7% margin. However, the Ultra 7 356H wins Cinebench R20 multi-core by 9% (12153 versus 11061), showing that the older i9 is not consistently faster across all multi-core workloads.

The Ultra 7 356H excels in single-core performance across the board. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 9.6% (303 versus 274), Cinebench R20 single-core by 9% (1715 versus 1561), and Cinebench R23 single-core by 7.6% (2040 versus 1885). PassMark single-thread results confirm this trend: 4072 versus 3778, a 7.2% advantage.

In PassMark workloads, the Ultra 7 356H shows strength in specialized tasks. It leads data encryption by 18.8% (26345 versus 21395), extended instructions by 20.6% (27898 versus 22163), and physics by 28% (2895 versus 2084). The biggest gap is in prime number finding, where the Ultra 7 356H scores 327 versus 135, a 58.7% advantage. Floating point math also favors the Ultra 7 by 22% (103128 versus 80402).

The i9-12950HX counters with a 31.9% lead in integer math (109586 versus 83111) and a 9.4% win in data compression (367930 versus 336177). It also edges out the Ultra 7 356H in random string sorting, 41209 versus 40990, a 0.5% margin. PassMark multithread goes to the Ultra 7 356H: 33978 versus 31673, a 6.8% lead.

Overall, the Ultra 7 356H wins 12 of 17 tests, but the i9-12950HX takes the most important multi-core benchmark (Cinebench R23) and the largest single-test victory in integer math.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-12950HX | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |

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

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Panther Lake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base clock | 2.30 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1964 | Intel BGA 2540 |

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

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

| L3 cache | 30 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth| Not listed | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 12 Lanes |

| Integrated GPU | UHD Graphics 770 | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Die size | 215 mm² | Not listed |

| Launch MSRP | $590 | None listed |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12950HX is the stronger choice for workloads that depend on high thread counts and heavy integer processing. Its 10.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it suitable for rendering tasks that scale across many threads. The 31.9% advantage in integer math points to strengths in compression, database operations, and other data-heavy computations. Its 9.4% win in data compression reinforces this profile. The i9 also has a slight edge in random string sorting, which is relevant for sorting algorithms and some data processing pipelines.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is better for single-threaded responsiveness and specialized compute tasks. Its single-core wins across all Cinebench versions and PassMark single-thread indicate faster per-core execution for everyday applications, scripting, and lightly threaded games. The 58.7% lead in prime number finding suggests significant improvements in certain mathematical workloads, while the 22% advantage in floating point math benefits scientific simulations and physics calculations. The 28% win in physics and 18.8% in encryption make it suitable for security-related tasks and some AI inference workloads. The Ultra 7 also wins PassMark multithread overall, meaning its aggregate throughput in that test is higher despite fewer threads.

The TDP difference is notable: the i9-12950HX has a 55 W TDP versus 25 W for the Ultra 7 356H. This suggests the Ultra 7 can sustain performance in thinner, more power-efficient laptops, while the i9 likely requires a larger cooling solution and higher power budget.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i9-12950HX for multi-core rendering and integer-heavy workloads. The data shows a clear 10.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is the most reliable indicator of all-core rendering performance. Its 31.9% advantage in integer math also makes it the pick for software compilation, data compression, and spreadsheet-style calculations. The i9 also holds an 88th percentile ranking versus 87th for the Ultra 7, so its overall standing is slightly higher.

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H for single-threaded tasks, floating point workloads, and power-sensitive systems. It wins every single-core test, with a 7.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 7.2% in PassMark single-thread. Its 22% advantage in floating point math and 28% in physics make it suitable for simulation and scientific computing. The 58.7% lead in prime number finding is exceptional for that specific workload. The Ultra 7 also has a much lower TDP (25 W versus 55 W), which is a practical advantage for thin-and-light laptops.

If the workload is mixed, the Ultra 7 356H wins more total benchmarks (12 versus 5), but the i9-12950HX wins the most demanding multi-core test. For a dual-purpose laptop that handles both productivity and occasional rendering, the i9 offers better all-core performance. For a portable machine focused on responsive everyday use and lighter compute tasks, the Ultra 7 is the better fit.