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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data between the Intel Core i9-14900HX and the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is lopsided in favor of the i9, with 15 wins against 2 for the Ultra 7. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i9 scores 30,055 against 18,395, a 63.4% advantage. This pattern repeats across nearly every multi-threaded workload, reflecting the i9's higher core and thread counts.

Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 28.5% gap, with scores of 15,616 versus 12,153. The single-core R20 result is also 28.5% higher for the i9, at 2,204 versus 1,715, which is surprising given the Ultra 7's newer process node. Cinebench R15 multi-core delivers a 49.7% difference, 4,574 versus 3,055, while R15 single-core is much closer at 2.5%, 310.5 versus 303.

PassMark integer math provides the largest single delta, with the i9 producing 157,375 against the Ultra 7's 83,111, a 89.4% lead. Data compression also favors the i9 heavily, 539,965 versus 336,177, a 60.6% margin. Random string sorting shows a 48.5% difference, 60,861 versus 40,990. Data encryption is 23.8% higher on the i9, 32,619 versus 26,345, while extended instructions trail by 12%, 31,247 versus 27,898.

The i9 also wins floating-point math by 8.9%, 112,273 versus 103,128, and multithread by 28.8%, 43,778 versus 33,978. Single-thread PassMark scores are nearly identical, 4,175 versus 4,072, a 2.5% edge for the i9.

The Ultra 7 takes two wins. PassMark find prime numbers shows 327 for the Ultra 7 versus 193 for the i9, a 41% reversal. PassMark physics also goes to the Ultra 7, 2,895 versus 2,638, an 8.9% margin. These are narrow, specialized victories: prime number generation and physics simulation appear to respond to the newer architecture's per-core efficiency rather than raw core count.

The overall average benchmark score in the database confirms the split: the i9 averages 56,004, while the Ultra 7 averages 41,215. The i9 sits at the 91st percentile of all CPUs, the Ultra 7 at the 87th. In terms of nearest rivals, the i9's closest comparator is the Intel Core 7 253PQE at 55,919, a 0.2% difference, while the Ultra 7's closest is the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 at 41,208, a 0% delta. This places the two chips in different performance tiers despite both being mobile processors.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy. The i9-14900HX is the choice for workloads that demand sustained multi-core throughput: rendering, video encoding, data compression, and integer-heavy computation. Its 63.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 89.4% lead in PassMark integer math are decisive. The database shows it outperforms the Ultra 7 in 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, making it the stronger processor for nearly all compute tasks.

The Ultra 7 356H is the better option for workloads where the i9's weakness appears. Two tests stand out: prime number finding, where the Ultra 7 is 41% ahead, and physics calculations, where it is 8.9% ahead. These results suggest the newer Panther Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm node, handles certain algorithmic patterns more efficiently. The Ultra 7 also consumes less power, with a 25 TDP against the i9's 55, though the database does not include battery life or thermal measurements.

For users who prioritize single-thread speed, the i9 holds a slight edge across all single-core benchmarks: 2.5% in R15, 28.5% in R20, 6.9% in R23, and 2.5% in PassMark. The R20 single-core margin is notable, but the other tests show the gap is small. Neither chip dominates there.

The verdict from the data is straightforward: the i9-14900HX is the high-performance part, the Ultra 7 356H is the efficiency-oriented part with specific algorithmic strengths. A user who runs physics simulations or prime-number searches would see better results on the Ultra 7, while anyone doing general productivity, content creation, or data processing would prefer the i9.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design eras. The i9-14900HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-HX refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Ultra 7 356H uses the Panther Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm node, also by Intel. This process difference explains the Ultra 7's lower 25 TDP versus the i9's 55 TDP, as the newer node allows for better power efficiency per transistor.

Core counts differ substantially. The i9 has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra 7 has 16 cores and 16 threads. The i9 supports hyper-threading, which the Ultra 7 does not, hence the 32 threads against 16. This directly explains the multi-core benchmark gaps.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. The i9 provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and only 18 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 on the Ultra 7 may contribute to its wins in prime number finding and physics, where smaller working sets fit in cache. The i9's larger L3 helps with larger datasets.

Memory support differs. The i9 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Ultra 7 lists a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s; the i9 does not have a recorded bandwidth figure. Both use dual-channel memory buses. ECC memory is supported on the i9 but not on the Ultra 7.

PCIe connectivity also varies. The i9 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 offers Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). The i9's integrated graphics is UHD Graphics 770, whereas the Ultra 7 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics, indicating a newer GPU architecture.

The i9 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ultra 7 is locked. The i9's socket is Intel BGA 1964, the Ultra 7's is Intel BGA 2540. The i9's die size is 257 mm², while the Ultra 7's is not recorded. The i9's release date is 2024-01-07, and the Ultra 7's is 2026-01-04, showing two years of design separation.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher multi-core performance?

A: The i9-14900HX wins every multi-core benchmark. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 30,055 versus 18,395, a 63.4% lead. PassMark multithread shows 43,778 versus 33,978, a 28.8% lead.

Q: Are there any tests where the Ultra 7 356H wins?

A: Yes, two tests. PassMark find prime numbers shows 327 for the Ultra 7 versus 193 for the i9, a 41% margin. PassMark physics shows 2,895 versus 2,638, an 8.9% margin.

Q: How do single-core scores compare?

A: The i9 leads in all single-core tests. Cinebench R15 single-core is 310.5 versus 303, a 2.5% edge. Cinebench R20 single-core is 2,204 versus 1,715, a 28.5% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core is 2,181.5 versus 2,040, a 6.9% edge. PassMark single-thread is 4,175 versus 4,072, a 2.5% edge.

Q: What explains the Ultra 7's wins in prime numbers and physics?

A: The Ultra 7 has 192 KB of L1 per core and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, larger than the i9's 80 KB and 2 MB. Its 3 nm process also suggests higher per-core efficiency. The database does not include detailed microarchitectural analysis, but the cache and node differences are the likely factors.

Q: Which chip has better memory bandwidth?

A: The Ultra 7 lists a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The i9 has no recorded bandwidth figure. Both support dual-channel memory, but the Ultra 7 adds LPDDR5X support while the i9 supports DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Do these CPUs support ECC memory?

A: The i9-14900HX supports ECC memory. The Ultra 7 356H does not.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-14900HX wins in scenarios requiring maximum thread utilization. Data compression tasks show a 60.6% advantage, 539,965 versus 336,177, making it suitable for archiving and file management. Integer math operations, such as financial calculations or scientific computing, run 89.4% faster on the i9, 157,375 versus 83,111. Multi-core rendering in Cinebench R23 is 63.4% faster, 30,055 versus 18,395, indicating strong 3D and video rendering performance.

Encryption workloads also favor the i9, with a 23.8% lead in data encryption, 32,619 versus 26,345. Extended instruction sets, relevant for modern compiled applications, are 12% faster, 31,247 versus 27,898. Floating-point math, common in engineering simulations, shows an 8.9% edge, 112,273 versus 103,128. Random string sorting, useful in database operations, is 48.5% faster, 60,861 versus 40,990.

The Ultra 7 356H wins in two specific areas. Prime number finding, which involves modular arithmetic and cryptographic validation, is 41% faster, 327 versus 193. Physics calculations, which include collision detection and rigid body dynamics, are 8.9% faster, 2,895 versus 2,638. These tasks benefit from the Ultra 7's larger per-core cache and newer architecture, despite fewer cores.

The i9 also holds the overall percentile advantage, at 91 versus 87, and a higher average benchmark score, 56,004 versus 41,215. The Ultra 7's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440, scores 41,208, a 0% difference, while the i9's nearest rival, the Intel Core 7 253PQE, scores 55,919, a 0.2% difference. This places the Ultra 7 in a lower performance tier overall.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clock speeds are 2.20 GHz for the i9 and 1.90 GHz for the Ultra 7. Boost clocks are 5.80 GHz and 4.70 GHz, respectively. The i9's TDP is 55, the Ultra 7's is 25.

Process nodes differ: the i9 uses 10 nm, the Ultra 7 uses 3 nm, both from Intel foundry. Die size is 257 mm² for the i9; the Ultra 7 has no recorded die size. Cache configurations vary: L1 per core is 80 KB for the i9 and 192 KB for the Ultra 7. L2 per core is 2 MB versus 2.5 MB. Shared L3 is 36 MB versus 18 MB.

Memory support: the i9 supports DDR4 and DDR5, the Ultra 7 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Ultra 7 lists a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s; the i9 has none recorded. ECC is true on the i9, false on the Ultra 7. PCIe lanes differ: the i9 has 16 Gen 5 lanes, the Ultra 7 has 12 Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 versus Intel Xe3 Graphics.

Sockets differ: Intel BGA 1964 for the i9, Intel BGA 2540 for the Ultra 7. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier, the Ultra 7 is locked. Release dates are 2024-01-07 for the i9 and 2026-01-04 for the Ultra 7. Part numbers are SRMXF for the i9 and SA4RGQ9EU for the Ultra 7. Neither chip has a recorded launch MSRP.