Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus vs Intel Core Ultra X9 378H Comparison

Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Intel Core Ultra X9 378H are both active 3 nm parts from Intel, but they target opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The 270K Plus is a desktop processor with 24 cores and a 125 W TDP, while the 378H is a mobile part with 16 cores and a 25 W TDP. Benchmark data from the database shows a clear split: the desktop chip dominates multi-threaded and throughput workloads, while the mobile chip takes a decisive lead in one specific single-core test. The following analysis breaks down exactly where each processor wins, what its architecture brings to the table, and who the recorded data favors.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Its largest victory comes in PassMark random string sorting, where it scores 96,945 against the 378H’s 44,648, a 117.1% advantage. Data compression shows a similar gap, with the 270K Plus at 804,322 versus 386,591, a 108.1% delta. Extended instructions also favor the desktop part heavily, 63,506 to 31,315, a 102.8% lead. Floating point math follows the same pattern, 229,491 versus 114,500, a 100.4% margin.

Cinebench multi-core results reinforce this dominance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 270K Plus scores 6,656 compared to 3,281 for the 378H, a 102.9% win. The R20 multi-core test shows 24,461 versus 13,672, a 78.9% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core narrows the gap slightly, with the 270K Plus at 44,253 and the 378H at 32,553, still a solid 35.9% lead. PassMark multithread testing also favors the desktop chip, 68,574 to 38,298, a 79.1% delta.

The 270K Plus also leads in integer math, 175,986 to 92,603, a 90% margin. Data encryption shows a 98% advantage, 59,097 to 29,840. Prime number finding is less dramatic but still favors the desktop part, 615 to 357, a 72.3% delta. PassMark physics scores 4,064 versus 3,404, a 19.4% edge for the 270K Plus. Even in single-thread PassMark testing, the desktop chip wins, 5,068 to 4,453, a 13.8% margin.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins the two remaining tests, and it does so decisively. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the 378H scores 462 against the 270K Plus’s 354, a 23.4% advantage. The gap widens further in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the 378H hits 4,595 versus 2,439 for the 270K Plus, a 46.9% lead. These are the only two benchmarks where the mobile chip comes out ahead, but they are substantial single-core wins.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is built for throughput. Its wins in compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, and random string sorting point to workloads that hammer many threads simultaneously. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core results confirm this, as does the PassMark multithread score. Any task that scales across cores, such as video rendering, data processing, or scientific simulations, will run significantly faster on the 270K Plus. The database shows its average benchmark score at 93,785, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H, despite having fewer cores and a much lower TDP, claims victory in Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests. This indicates a strong per-core performance advantage, likely due to newer architecture and higher single-thread efficiency. The 378H’s average benchmark score is 47,468, which puts it in the 89th percentile. While its multi-core scores trail the 270K Plus, its single-core results suggest it handles lightly threaded applications, such as everyday desktop tasks or older games, with excellent responsiveness. The 378H also delivers a PassMark single-thread score of 4,453, which is close to the 270K Plus’s 5,068 despite the mobile chip’s lower clock ceiling.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use the same 3 nm process node but are built by different foundries. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is fabricated by TSMC, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H is made by Intel’s own foundry. Their codenames also differ: the 270K Plus uses Arrow Lake Refresh, and the 378H uses Panther Lake. The desktop part is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, while the mobile chip belongs to Core Ultra Series 3.

Core counts diverge sharply. The 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the 378H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Neither processor uses hyperthreading, so thread counts equal core counts. Cache allocations also differ. The 270K Plus carries 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The 378H has the same 192 KB L1 per core, but its L2 drops to 2.5 MB per core and its shared L3 is halved to 18 MB. The desktop part also has a larger die at 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors, while the mobile chip’s die size and transistor count are not recorded.

Memory support separates the two further. The 270K Plus uses DDR5 on a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s of bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory. The 378H uses LPDDR5X on a dual-channel bus with higher bandwidth, 153.6 GB/s, but it does not support ECC. PCIe lanes also differ: the 270K Plus offers Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while the 378H offers Gen 5 with just 4 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are distinct as well, with the 270K Plus using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU and the 378H using Arc B390.

The 270K Plus has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, and its multiplier is unlocked. The 378H runs a lower base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, and its multiplier is locked. The desktop part’s TDP is 125 W, while the mobile part is rated at 25 W. The 270K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851, and the 378H uses Intel BGA 2540. The 270K Plus was released on 2026-03-10, and the 378H followed on 2026-04-03. The 270K Plus has a launch MSRP of $299, while the 378H has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The recorded data makes the choice simple for multi-threaded workloads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clear winner, with a 78.9% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core and a 79.1% lead in PassMark multithread. Its 24 cores and 36 MB of L3 cache allow it to crush the 378H in every throughput test, and its 96th percentile ranking reflects its position near the top of the database. Users building a desktop for rendering, data compression, or heavy compute should choose the 270K Plus without hesitation.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H, however, shows a unique strength. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4,595 is 46.9% higher than the 270K Plus’s 2,439. This is a massive single-core advantage that no other benchmark in the head-to-head set contradicts. For applications that rely on a single thread, such as some legacy software or lightly threaded productivity tasks, the 378H delivers better performance per core. Its lower TDP of 25 W also makes it suitable for mobile systems where power draw is a constraint.

The decision comes down to workload type. The 270K Plus is a desktop workhorse for parallel compute, while the 378H is a mobile chip with superior single-core performance in two specific Cinebench tests. The 270K Plus wins the overall benchmark count 15 to 2, and its average score of 93,785 is roughly double the 378H’s 47,468. For most users, the 270K Plus is the stronger processor. The 378H is the right pick only when single-core speed and low power consumption outweigh multi-core throughput.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has 16 cores and 16 threads.

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

A: The largest margin is in PassMark random string sorting, where the 270K Plus scores 96,945 versus 44,648, a 117.1% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 462 versus 354, a 23.4% margin, and Cinebench R23 single-core with 4,595 versus 2,439, a 46.9% margin.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H does not.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The 270K Plus has 115.2 GB/s of bandwidth with DDR5 support. The 378H has 153.6 GB/s of bandwidth with LPDDR5X support.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The 270K Plus has an unlocked multiplier, while the 378H has a locked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus | Intel Core Ultra X9 378H |

|---------------|------------------------------|--------------------------|

| Cores | 24 | 16 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Codename | Arrow Lake Refresh | Panther Lake |

| Generation | Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake) | Ultra X9 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 17,800 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 243 mm² | Not recorded |

| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 115.2 GB/s | 153.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | Arc B390 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2026-03-10 | 2026-04-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $299 | Not recorded |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SA4V6 | Unknown |