Intel Core i9-14900 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data separates these two processors by market intent rather than by any overlap in capability. The Intel Core i9-14900 wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 58115 against 41215 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H. The i9-14900 sits at the 92nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Ultra 7 356H sits at the 87th percentile. The i9-14900 is the clear choice for desktop workloads that scale across many cores, particularly rendering, integer math, and data compression. The Ultra 7 356H, a mobile part with a 25 W TDP, holds two specific wins in prime number calculation and physics simulation, and it offers a more modern 3 nm process node with a higher per-core L1 cache. The data indicates that anyone requiring maximum multi-threaded throughput should select the i9-14900. The Ultra 7 356H suits scenarios where the two benchmark wins matter and where the lower power envelope of a mobile platform takes priority.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel lineages. The Core i9-14900 uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on a 10 nm process node. It is a desktop part with an Intel Socket 1700 interface. The Core Ultra 7 356H uses Panther Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process node, and is a mobile part with an Intel BGA 2540 socket. Both are manufactured by Intel. The i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The i9-14900 therefore offers 8 additional cores and 16 additional threads, which directly explains its dominance in multi-threaded tests.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The i9-14900 provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 356H provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 has a larger per-core L1 and L2, but the i9-14900 has double the shared L3 capacity. The die size for the i9-14900 is 257 mm²; the database records no die size for the Ultra 7 356H. Neither processor has 3D V-Cache.

Memory support differs. The i9-14900 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a dual-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The i9-14900 has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on the i9-14900 but not on the Ultra 7 356H. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i9-14900 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 356H provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ: the i9-14900 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra 7 356H uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. The i9-14900 has a launch MSRP of $549; the Ultra 7 356H has no recorded launch MSRP. Both have locked multipliers. The i9-14900 carries part number SRN3V; the Ultra 7 356H carries SA4RGQ9EU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the i9-14900 appears in PassMark integer math, where it scores 175010 against 83111 for the Ultra 7 356H, a delta of 110.6 percent. This more than doubles the mobile processor's result. The second largest win is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i9-14900 scores 31070 against 18395, a delta of 68.9 percent. Data compression follows closely: the i9-14900 scores 550271 against 336177, a delta of 63.7 percent.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 56.9 percent advantage (4793 versus 3055). Random string sorting shows a 49 percent advantage (61060 versus 40990). PassMark multi-thread shows a 31.2 percent advantage (44578 versus 33978). Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core both show a 30.9 percent advantage (15910 versus 12153, and 2245 versus 1715 respectively). Data encryption shows a 27.3 percent advantage (33540 versus 26345). Floating point math shows a 16.6 percent advantage (120262 versus 103128). Extended instructions show a 9.8 percent advantage (30624 versus 27898). Cinebench R23 single-core shows an 8.4 percent advantage (2212 versus 2040). PassMark single-thread shows a 6.2 percent advantage (4323 versus 4072). Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 4 percent advantage (315 versus 303).

The Ultra 7 356H wins two tests. In PassMark find prime numbers, it scores 327 against 188 for the i9-14900, a delta of 42.5 percent in favor of the mobile chip. In PassMark physics, it scores 2895 against 2486, a delta of 14.1 percent. These wins indicate that the Panther Lake architecture handles specific mathematical routines more efficiently, despite the overall multi-thread deficit. The prime number result is particularly notable because the i9-14900 has more cores and threads, yet the Ultra 7 still outperforms it in this narrow workload.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the overall picture. The i9-14900 averages 58115, placing it among CPUs like the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (58323, delta of -0.4 percent), the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D (58386, delta of -0.5 percent), and the Intel Xeon w5-2545 (58504, delta of -0.7 percent). The AMD EPYC 9015 scores 57555, a delta of 1 percent below the i9-14900. The Ultra 7 356H averages 41215, near the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 (41208, delta of 0 percent), the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H (41263, delta of -0.1 percent), and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (41376, delta of -0.4 percent). The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H scores 40967, a delta of 0.6 percent below the Ultra 7 356H. These comparisons show that the i9-14900 competes with server and high-end desktop parts, while the Ultra 7 356H competes with mid-range mobile and older desktop parts.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads; the Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for the i9-14900 and 1.90 GHz for the Ultra 7 356H. Boost clocks are 5.80 GHz for the i9-14900 and 4.70 GHz for the Ultra 7 356H. TDP is 65 W for the i9-14900 and 25 W for the Ultra 7 356H. Sockets are Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel BGA 2540. Architecture is Raptor Lake versus Panther Lake. Process nodes are 10 nm versus 3 nm. L1 cache is 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core. L2 cache is 2 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core. L3 cache is 36 MB shared versus 18 MB shared. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 versus DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Ultra 7 356H records a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s; the i9-14900 does not. ECC memory is supported on the i9-14900 only. PCIe lanes are 16 versus 12, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 versus Intel Xe3 Graphics. Market segments are Desktop versus Mobile. Release dates are 2024-01-07 versus 2026-01-04. The i9-14900 has a launch MSRP of $549; the Ultra 7 356H has none recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: The i9-14900 leads by 68.9 percent in Cinebench R23 multi-core (31070 versus 18395), by 56.9 percent in Cinebench R15 multi-core (4793 versus 3055), and by 30.9 percent in Cinebench R20 multi-core (15910 versus 12153).

Q: Does the Ultra 7 356H win any benchmarks?

A: Yes. It wins PassMark find prime numbers with 327 against 188 for the i9-14900 (a 42.5 percent advantage) and PassMark physics with 2895 against 2486 (a 14.1 percent advantage).

Q: How do the process nodes compare?

A: The i9-14900 uses a 10 nm process node. The Ultra 7 356H uses a 3 nm process node. Both are fabricated by Intel.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The i9-14900 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in dual-channel mode, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

Q: Where does each processor rank among all CPUs?

A: The i9-14900 ranks in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 58115. The Ultra 7 356H ranks in the 87th percentile with an average benchmark score of 41215.