Intel Core i9-14900HX vs Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data positions the Intel Core i9-14900HX as the dominant multi-threaded performer, winning 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. Its average benchmark score of 56004 places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H trails with an average of 40967 and an 87th percentile ranking. The i9-14900HX is the clear choice for workloads that scale with core count, such as rendering, compilation, and heavy data processing, where its 60.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is decisive.

The Core Ultra X7 358H, however, wins two specific tests: PassMark find prime numbers (337 vs 193, a 42.7% advantage) and PassMark physics (3021 vs 2638, a 12.7% advantage). These wins indicate a different performance profile, one where the newer Panther Lake architecture excels in specialized integer loops and physics simulations. For users whose primary tasks involve these specific operations, the Ultra X7 358H offers a measurable benefit despite its overall lower average score.

The i9-14900HX also holds a single-thread edge, though it is narrower than the multi-core gap. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it leads by 3%, and in PassMark single-thread by 1.2%. The Ultra X7 358H's 4.8 GHz boost clock cannot fully offset the i9-14900HX's 5.8 GHz peak in most single-threaded scenarios. The data points to a straightforward split: the i9-14900HX for broad, heavy compute, and the Ultra X7 358H for specific physics and prime-number workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different Intel design philosophies. The Core i9-14900HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, with a die size of 257 mm². It is built on the Raptor Lake-HX codename and falls under the Core 14th Gen series. The Core Ultra X7 358H uses the Panther Lake codename with a 3 nm process node, belonging to the Core Ultra Series 3 and the "Ultra X7 (Panther Lake-H)" generation.

Core configuration differs substantially. The i9-14900HX packs 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning the latter lacks hyper-threading. The i9-14900HX's cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra X7 358H counters with larger per-core caches: 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, but only 18 MB of shared L3.

Memory support diverges significantly. The i9-14900HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus and includes ECC support. The Ultra X7 358H supports only LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s, and lacks ECC. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i9-14900HX provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Ultra X7 358H offers Gen 5 with only 4 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics separate the two as well. The i9-14900HX uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Ultra X7 358H ships with Arc B390, a more capable GPU solution on paper. The i9-14900HX has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Ultra X7 358H is locked. Socket types differ, with the i9-14900HX using Intel BGA 1964 and the Ultra X7 358H using Intel BGA 2540. Production status for both is Active, and the release dates are recorded as 2024-01-07 for the i9-14900HX and 2026-01-04 for the Ultra X7 358H.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest multi-core victory for the i9-14900HX comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 30055 against the Ultra X7 358H's 18747, a 60.3% delta. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 51.1% lead (4574 vs 3027), and Cinebench R20 multi-core a 30% lead (15616 vs 12011). PassMark integer math is the single biggest differential: the i9-14900HX scores 157375 versus 83147, a 89.3% advantage. PassMark data compression follows with a 62.4% lead (539965 vs 332508), and random string sorting shows a 50.8% gap (60861 vs 40357).

In encryption and instruction-heavy workloads, the i9-14900HX maintains clear margins. PassMark data encryption shows a 25.2% lead (32619 vs 26046), and extended instructions a 14.6% lead (31247 vs 27274). Floating-point math is closer, with the i9-14900HX ahead by 8.1% (112273 vs 103842). PassMark multithread favors the i9-14900HX by 29.5% (43778 vs 33802). The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows a 30% lead for the i9-14900HX (2204 vs 1695), which is the largest single-core gap recorded, though this is an outlier compared to other single-thread tests.

The Ultra X7 358H's two wins are notable for their specificity. In PassMark find prime numbers, it scores 337 against 193, a 42.7% advantage. This test measures raw integer loop performance, where the Panther Lake architecture's 3 nm process and larger L1 cache (192 KB per core) appear to provide a tangible benefit. In PassMark physics, the Ultra X7 358H scores 3021 versus 2638, a 12.7% lead. Physics simulations often benefit from memory bandwidth, and the Ultra X7 358H's 153.6 GB/s recorded bandwidth may contribute to this result.

Single-threaded scores are close across most tests. PassMark single-thread shows 4175 for the i9-14900HX versus 4124 for the Ultra X7 358H, a 1.2% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 4.9% lead (2181.5 vs 2080), and Cinebench R15 single-core a 3% lead (310.5 vs 301.5). The i9-14900HX's higher boost clock of 5.8 GHz versus 4.8 GHz explains these edges, though the Ultra X7 358H's architectural efficiency narrows the gap.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors, based on the recorded data:

• Cores: 24 (i9-14900HX) vs 16 (Ultra X7 358H)
• Threads: 32 vs 16
• Base Clock: 2.20 GHz vs 1.90 GHz
• Boost Clock: 5.80 GHz vs 4.80 GHz
• TDP: 55 W vs 25 W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1964 vs Intel BGA 2540
• Codename: Raptor Lake-HX vs Panther Lake
• Process Node: 10 nm vs 3 nm
• L1 Cache: 80 KB (per core) vs 192 KB (per core)
• L2 Cache: 2 MB (per core) vs 3 MB (per core)
• L3 Cache: 36 MB (shared) vs 18 MB (shared)
• Memory Support: DDR4, DDR5 vs LPDDR5X
• Memory Bandwidth: not recorded vs 153.6 GB/s
• ECC Memory: true vs false
• PCIe: Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) vs Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 770 vs Arc B390
• Multiplier Unlocked: true vs false
• Part Number: SRMXF vs SA4RAQ9ET

The TDP difference is significant for mobile deployments: 55 W versus 25 W. The i9-14900HX draws more power to sustain its higher core count and clock speeds, while the Ultra X7 358H operates at a lower power envelope, which suits thinner chassis designs. The memory bandwidth figure for the Ultra X7 358H (153.6 GB/s) is recorded, while no comparable figure exists for the i9-14900HX. The i9-14900HX's ECC support and broader memory compatibility (DDR4 and DDR5) contrast with the Ultra X7 358H's exclusive LPDDR5X support.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX has an average benchmark score of 56004, compared to 40967 for the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H. The i9-14900HX sits in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra X7 358H sits in the 87th.

Q: In which tests does the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H outperform the i9-14900HX?

A: The Ultra X7 358H wins two tests: PassMark find prime numbers (337 vs 193, a 42.7% advantage) and PassMark physics (3021 vs 2638, a 12.7% advantage). These are the only head-to-head tests where it leads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the i9-14900HX scores 157375 versus 83147, a 89.3% lead. The second largest is PassMark data compression at 62.4%, followed by Cinebench R23 multi-core at 60.3%.

Q: How do the core and thread counts affect the benchmark results?

A: The i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads. This 8-core and 16-thread difference drives the multi-core benchmark results, such as Cinebench R23 multi-core (30055 vs 18747) and PassMark multithread (43778 vs 33802), where the i9-14900HX leads by 60.3% and 29.5%, respectively.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The i9-14900HX supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus and includes ECC support. The Ultra X7 358H supports only LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s and no ECC support.

Q: How does single-thread performance compare?

A: The i9-14900HX leads in all recorded single-thread tests. PassMark single-thread shows 4175 vs 4124 (1.2% lead), Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2181.5 vs 2080 (4.9% lead), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 310.5 vs 301.5 (3% lead). The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows a larger 30% lead (2204 vs 1695).