Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus vs Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H serve entirely different market segments, and the benchmark data reflects that split clearly. The 270K Plus is a desktop processor with 24 cores, a 125 TDP, and an unlocked multiplier, while the 358H is a mobile part with 16 cores, a 25 TDP, and no unlocked multiplier. In every single recorded benchmark, the 270K Plus wins outright, with 17 wins and 0 losses in the head-to-head comparison. The average benchmark score for the 270K Plus is 93785, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the 358H averages 40967, sitting in the 87th percentile. The nearest rival to the 270K Plus is the Intel Xeon 6520P with an average score of 93786, a delta of 0 percent, while the 358H sits closest to the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 at 41208, a delta of -0.6 percent.

The 270K Plus is the clear choice for desktop builders who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, heavy compute workloads, and the ability to overclock. The 358H is the appropriate pick for mobile platforms where power efficiency and integrated graphics matter more than raw multi-core performance. The data shows the 270K Plus is over 100 percent faster in most multi-core tests, with deltas ranging from 82.5 percent in find prime numbers to 141.9 percent in data compression. Single-core performance also favors the desktop part, though the margin is smaller, with a 17.3 percent lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and a 22.9 percent lead in PassMark single-thread. For anyone building a workstation or high-end desktop, the 270K Plus is the obvious choice. For a laptop or compact mobile device, the 358H offers competitive single-core performance relative to its mobile peers, but it cannot match the desktop part in sustained workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use different foundries. The 270K Plus is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, codenamed Arrow Lake Refresh, and is fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It uses 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The 358H belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3, codenamed Panther Lake, also on a 3 nm process but fabricated by Intel itself. The 358H has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database.

The core configurations differ substantially. The 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading. The 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads, also without SMT. Both processors share the same L1 cache at 192 KB per core and the same L2 cache at 3 MB per core. The L3 cache differs significantly, with the 270K Plus offering 36 MB shared while the 358H has 18 MB shared. The desktop part uses DDR5 memory with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the mobile part uses LPDDR5X with dual-channel support and a higher memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the 270K Plus but not on the 358H.

PCIe connectivity also separates them. The 270K Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the 358H provides Gen 5 with only 4 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the 270K Plus using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, while the 358H uses Arc B390. The socket types are incompatible, with the desktop part using Intel Socket 1851 and the mobile part using Intel BGA 2540. The 270K Plus has an unlocked multiplier, making it suitable for overclocking, while the 358H does not. The desktop part carries a launch MSRP of $299 and was released later, on 2026-03-10, while the mobile part has no recorded launch MSRP and was released earlier, on 2026-01-04.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The multi-core Cinebench results show the largest gaps. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 270K Plus scores 44253 against 18747 for the 358H, a 136.1 percent advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 24461 versus 12011, a 103.7 percent lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 6656 versus 3027, a 119.9 percent lead. These results confirm that the 24-core desktop part delivers more than double the multi-threaded rendering performance in most cases.

The PassMark suite reinforces the same pattern. Data compression shows 804322 for the 270K Plus against 332508 for the 358H, a 141.9 percent delta. Random string sorting shows 96945 versus 40357, a 140.2 percent delta. Extended instructions show 63506 versus 27274, a 132.8 percent delta. Data encryption shows 59097 versus 26046, a 126.9 percent delta. Floating point math shows 229491 versus 103842, a 121 percent delta. Integer math shows 175986 versus 83147, a 111.7 percent delta. The PassMark multi-thread test shows 68574 versus 33802, a 102.9 percent delta. Find prime numbers shows 615 versus 337, an 82.5 percent delta.

Single-core results are closer but still favor the desktop part. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2439 versus 2080, a 17.3 percent delta. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 3453 versus 1695, a 103.7 percent delta, which is unusually large compared to the other single-core tests. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 354 versus 301.5, a 17.4 percent delta. PassMark single-thread shows 5068 versus 4124, a 22.9 percent delta, and the duplicate PassMark singlethread test records the same values. The PassMark physics test shows 4064 versus 3021, a 34.5 percent delta.

The data indicates that the 270K Plus wins every workload category. The smallest margins are in Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core, where the mobile part is within 17 to 18 percent. The widest margins are in data compression, random string sorting, and Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the desktop part is more than 136 percent ahead. The 358H cannot claim a single benchmark win in this comparison.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors. The 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clock is 3.70 GHz for the desktop part and 1.90 GHz for the mobile part. Boost clock is 5.50 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. TDP is 125 watts versus 25 watts. The socket is Intel Socket 1851 versus Intel BGA 2540. The codename is Arrow Lake Refresh versus Panther Lake. The generation is Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake) versus Ultra X7 (Panther Lake-H). The foundry is TSMC versus Intel. Transistors are 17,800 million for the desktop part, with no recorded value for the mobile part. Die size is 243 mm² for the desktop part, with no recorded value for the mobile part. L3 cache is 36 MB shared versus 18 MB shared. Memory support is DDR5 versus LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is 115.2 GB/s versus 153.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the desktop part but not on the mobile part. PCIe lanes are Gen 5 with 20 lanes versus Gen 5 with 4 lanes. Integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU versus Arc B390. Market segment is Desktop versus Mobile. Launch MSRP is $299 for the desktop part, with no recorded value for the mobile part. The multiplier is unlocked on the desktop part and locked on the mobile part. Part numbers are SA4V6 versus SA4RAQ9ET. Release dates differ, with the mobile part released on 2026-01-04 and the desktop part on 2026-03-10.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How much faster is the 270K Plus in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 270K Plus scores 44253 versus 18747, a 136.1 percent advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it leads by 103.7 percent with 24461 versus 12011.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The 270K Plus leads in all single-core tests. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2439 versus 2080, a 17.3 percent delta, and PassMark single-thread shows 5068 versus 4124, a 22.9 percent delta.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The 270K Plus supports ECC memory, while the 358H does not.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The 358H has a higher memory bandwidth at 153.6 GB/s, while the 270K Plus has 115.2 GB/s. However, the 358H uses LPDDR5X, while the 270K Plus uses DDR5.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The 270K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851, while the 358H uses Intel BGA 2540. They are not interchangeable.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins in every benchmark category recorded. It is the only choice for desktop workloads that require heavy multi-threading, such as rendering, video encoding, data compression, and scientific computing. Its 24 cores, 36 MB of L3 cache, and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes make it suitable for high-end workstations and enthusiast builds. The unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, and the 125 TDP provides headroom for sustained performance. The 270K Plus also supports ECC memory, which matters for reliability-sensitive applications.

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H does not win any benchmark in this comparison, but its profile suits mobile use cases. The 25 TDP makes it appropriate for laptops and compact devices where power draw is critical. The higher memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s with LPDDR5X can benefit integrated graphics workloads, and the Arc B390 integrated graphics is a distinct feature. The 358H was released earlier and occupies the 87th percentile of all CPUs, which is respectable for a mobile part. Builders targeting a thin-and-light system with adequate single-core performance should consider the 358H, but they must accept the large multi-core deficit compared to the desktop part. The data shows no scenario where the 358H outperforms the 270K Plus, so the choice depends entirely on the platform and power constraints.