Intel Core Ultra 7 256V vs Intel Xeon D-1746TER Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark record splits sharply between single-thread and multi-thread dominance. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins 12 of 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Xeon D-1746TER takes 5. The most decisive victory belongs to the Ultra 7 in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 4029 against 1785, a 55.7% lead. That gap repeats across nearly every latency-sensitive workload. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 7 posts 285.5 versus 189, a 33.8% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 982 against 789, a 19.7% margin. The Xeon D-1746TER counters in one single-core test: Cinebench R23 single-core, where 1879 edges 1877.5 by 0.1%, a statistical tie in practical terms.

Multi-thread results are split by workload type. The Xeon D-1746TER wins Cinebench R23 multi-core decisively, scoring 13311 against 10399, a 28% lead. PassMark integer math also favors the Xeon, 54482 versus 43358, a 25.7% margin. The Xeon leads PassMark data compression by 3.6% (191594 against 184985) and random string sorting by 5.6% (23732 against 22481). The Ultra 7 dominates the other multi-thread tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core 1583.5 versus 1341 (15.3% ahead), Cinebench R20 multi-core 6958 versus 5590 (19.7% ahead), PassMark multithread 19530 versus 15660 (19.8% ahead), and PassMark physics 1595 versus 859 (46.1% ahead).

Math-heavy workloads heavily favor the Ultra 7. PassMark floating point math shows 58576 versus 32772, a 44.1% lead. Prime number finding shows 192 versus 68, a 64.6% advantage, the largest delta in the entire comparison. Extended instructions go to the Ultra 7 with 15643 against 12620, a 19.3% margin. Data encryption favors the Ultra 7 by 33.3%, 13998 versus 9343. The Xeon D-1746TER’s five wins all come in integer, compression, sorting, and one Cinebench multi-core test, suggesting a profile suited to server-style throughput rather than desktop responsiveness.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from opposite ends of Intel’s design spectrum. The Xeon D-1746TER uses Ice Lake architecture on a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, built for the server and workstation segment. It has 10 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 3100 MHz. Its cache layout uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 15 MB shared L3. The Ultra 7 256V uses Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC, targeting mobile devices. It has 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2200 MHz and a boost clock of 4800 MHz. Its cache layout uses 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The Ultra 7’s boost clock is 54.8% higher than the Xeon’s, which explains its single-thread dominance.

Memory support diverges completely. The Xeon D-1746TER uses DDR4 with a triple-channel memory bus and 64.0 GB/s bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory. The Ultra 7 256V uses dual-channel memory that depends on the motherboard, with no ECC support and no recorded bandwidth figure. The Xeon’s ECC capability and higher memory bandwidth align with server reliability requirements. The Ultra 7’s memory flexibility suits mobile integration.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Xeon provides Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Ultra 7 provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. The Xeon’s lane count enables more expansion devices in a workstation chassis. The Ultra 7’s Gen 5 lanes offer higher per-lane bandwidth but far fewer lanes, matching a compact mobile footprint. The Ultra 7 includes integrated Arc 140V graphics; the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The Xeon carries a launch MSRP of $1069, while the Ultra 7 has no recorded launch MSRP. The Xeon’s TDP is 67 watts, versus 17 watts for the Ultra 7, a 74.6% lower power envelope for the mobile part.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct buyer profiles. For single-thread performance, the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is the clear choice. Its 55.7% lead in PassMark single-thread and 33.8% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core translate directly into faster application response, lighter coding workloads, and everyday tasks. The Ultra 7 also wins in encryption, floating point, prime finding, physics, and extended instructions, making it the better engine for scientific calculations and cryptographic workloads. Its 17-watt TDP further cements its role in power-constrained mobile systems.

For sustained multi-thread throughput in server or workstation environments, the Intel Xeon D-1746TER holds the edge. Its 28% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 25.7% lead in integer math indicate strong parallel processing for compilation, data analysis, or virtualization workloads. The Xeon’s 20 threads versus 8 threads, combined with 15 MB L3 cache and ECC memory support, make it the more robust platform for long-running server processes. Its 67-watt TDP is higher, but the Xeon is built for always-on duty. The Ultra 7 wins more benchmarks overall, but the Xeon wins the tests that matter most for server-class tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V boosts to 4800 MHz, while the Intel Xeon D-1746TER boosts to 3100 MHz.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon D-1746TER support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon D-1746TER supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V does not.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V leads PassMark find prime numbers by 64.6%, scoring 192 versus 68.

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

A: The Intel Xeon D-1746TER scores 13311, which is 28% ahead of the Ultra 7’s 10399.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1746TER has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1746TER uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins in every single-thread test except one: Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Xeon leads by 0.1%. The Ultra 7’s wins include PassMark single-thread (4029 versus 1785), Cinebench R15 single-core (285.5 versus 189), and Cinebench R20 single-core (982 versus 789). It also wins all math-heavy workloads: floating point (58576 versus 32772), prime numbers (192 versus 68), extended instructions (15643 versus 12620), and data encryption (13998 versus 9343). The Ultra 7 wins PassMark multithread (19530 versus 15660) and PassMark physics (1595 versus 859), plus Cinebench R15 multi-core (1583.5 versus 1341) and Cinebench R20 multi-core (6958 versus 5590). This makes the Ultra 7 the pick for interactive work, encryption-heavy tasks, and physics simulation.

The Intel Xeon D-1746TER wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (13311 versus 10399), PassMark integer math (54482 versus 43358), data compression (191594 versus 184985), and random string sorting (23732 versus 22481). It also takes Cinebench R23 single-core by a hair. These wins point to workloads that rely on integer throughput, data packing, and sorting algorithms. The Xeon’s 20 threads and larger L3 cache help in these parallel integer tasks. For server-side data processing, compression pipelines, or integer-heavy compilation, the Xeon provides the better results.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification category. The Xeon D-1746TER has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2000 MHz for the Xeon and 2200 MHz for the Ultra 7. Boost clocks are 3100 MHz versus 4800 MHz. TDP is 67 watts for the Xeon and 17 watts for the Ultra 7. Sockets differ: Intel BGA 2227 for the Xeon, Intel BGA 2833 for the Ultra 7. Architecture differs: Ice Lake versus Lunar Lake, with codenames Ice Lake-D and Lunar Lake respectively. Process nodes differ: 10 nm from Intel versus 3 nm from TSMC.

Cache configurations differ across all levels. L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the Xeon and 192 KB per core for the Ultra 7. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core for the Xeon and 2.5 MB per core for the Ultra 7. L3 cache is 15 MB shared for the Xeon and 12 MB shared for the Ultra 7. Memory support differs: DDR4 with triple-channel and 64.0 GB/s bandwidth for the Xeon, versus motherboard-dependent dual-channel memory with no recorded bandwidth for the Ultra 7. ECC support is present on the Xeon and absent on the Ultra 7. PCIe differs: Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes for the Xeon, Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes for the Ultra 7. The Ultra 7 has integrated Arc 140V graphics; the Xeon has none. Market segments differ: server/workstation for the Xeon, mobile for the Ultra 7. Release dates differ: the Xeon launched on 2022-02-23, the Ultra 7 on 2024-09-23. The Xeon has a recorded launch MSRP of $1069; the Ultra 7 has none.