Intel Core Ultra 7 356H vs Intel Processor N150 Comparison

Intel Core Ultra 7 356H and Intel Processor N150 occupy opposite ends of Intel's mobile processor spectrum. The database shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the Core Ultra 7 356H dominating every shared benchmark. The N150 is positioned as a low-power part, while the 356H is a high-core-count mobile processor. The data indicates a decisive split in capability, with the 356H winning all four head-to-head tests.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results show no overlap in performance between these two processors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins all four head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with margins ranging from 97.8% to 623.1%. This is a complete sweep in favor of the 356H. The N150 does not win a single recorded comparison.

The Core Ultra 7 356H is the clear choice for multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 18395 against the N150's 2590.5, a 610.1% advantage. The R15 multicore test shows a similar gap, with the 356H scoring 3055 versus 422.5, a 623.1% delta. These results indicate the 356H is suited for rendering, compilation, and other heavily parallel tasks.

Single-core performance also favors the 356H, though by a smaller margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 356H scores 2040 against 935, a 118.2% lead. The R15 single-core test shows a 97.8% advantage, with scores of 303 and 153.15 respectively. This suggests the 356H delivers stronger per-thread responsiveness, which benefits everyday application usage and lightly threaded workloads.

The N150's role is defined by its efficiency rather than raw performance. With a 6 TDP and a 0.10 base clock, it is designed for minimal power draw. Its benchmark scores are modest: 2590.5 in R23 multicore and 935 in R23 single-core. The data shows the N150 sits in the 28th percentile of all CPUs, while the 356H ranks in the 87th percentile. The average benchmark score for the N150 is 1025, compared to 41215 for the 356H.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. The Intel Processor N150 uses Twin Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, also fabricated by Intel. This process difference contributes to the substantial performance and efficiency gap.

The core count disparity is significant. The 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads. This fourfold difference in core count directly explains the large multicore benchmark margins. The 356H also has a higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz compared to the N150's 3.60 GHz. The base clocks differ dramatically: 1.90 GHz for the 356H and 0.10 GHz for the N150.

Cache configurations show a structural difference. The 356H uses 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The N150 uses 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The 356H's per-core L2 design scales with its 16 cores, while the N150 uses a shared L2 pool.

Memory support diverges sharply. The 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus, delivering 115.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 over a single-channel bus, with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. This threefold bandwidth difference affects memory-intensive workloads.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The 356H uses Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the N150 uses Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well: the 356H uses Intel Xe3 Graphics, while the N150 uses UHD Graphics 730. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows the largest relative gap. The 356H scores 3055, while the N150 scores 422.5. This is a 623.1% advantage for the 356H. The margin reflects the combined effect of 16 cores versus 4 cores, higher clock speeds, and newer architecture.

Cinebench R23 multicore confirms the pattern. The 356H delivers 18395 points against the N150's 2590.5, a 610.1% difference. This test stresses sustained multi-threaded performance, and the 356H's thermal and power headroom at 25 TDP allows it to maintain high throughput. The N150, constrained by its 6 TDP, cannot match this output.

Single-core results narrow the gap but still favor the 356H decisively. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 356H scores 2040 versus 935, a 118.2% lead. The R15 single-core test shows 303 against 153.15, a 97.8% advantage. These margins are smaller than the multicore deltas, indicating that per-core efficiency differences are less extreme than core count differences.

The 356H's average benchmark score of 41215 places it near the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440, which scores 41208 with a 0% delta. It is also close to the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H at 41263 (-0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X at 41376 (-0.4%). The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H scores 40967, a 0.6% delta against the 356H. These proximity scores indicate the 356H sits in a strong competitive tier for its class.

The N150's average benchmark score of 1025 places it near the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T (1024, 0.1% delta), the Intel Core i3-4340 (1026, -0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U (1024, 0.1%), and the Intel Core i7-5650U (1027, -0.2%). This cluster represents much older or lower-power processors, confirming the N150's entry-level positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Processor N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the 356H scores 18395 against the N150's 2590.5, a 610.1% advantage. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 356H scores 3055 against 422.5, a 623.1% lead.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a TDP of 25, while the Intel Processor N150 has a TDP of 6.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H and the Intel Processor N150 have ECC memory support set to false.

Q: What process nodes are used?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses a 3 nm process node. The Intel Processor N150 uses a 10 nm process node. Both are fabricated by Intel.

Q: How do their memory bandwidths compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H provides 115.2 GB/s over a dual-channel bus. The Intel Processor N150 provides 38.4 GB/s over a single-channel bus.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across every major specification category. The 356H uses Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm process, while the N150 uses Twin Lake architecture on a 10 nm process. The 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads; the N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 1.90 GHz for the 356H and 0.10 GHz for the N150. Boost clocks are 4.70 GHz and 3.60 GHz respectively.

TDP ratings show a 19-unit gap: 25 for the 356H and 6 for the N150. The sockets differ, with the 356H using Intel BGA 2540 and the N150 using Intel BGA 1264. Cache layouts are distinct: the 356H has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. The N150 has 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: the 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over dual-channel, while the N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 over single-channel. Memory bandwidth is 115.2 GB/s for the 356H and 38.4 GB/s for the N150. PCIe capabilities are Gen 5 with 12 lanes for the 356H and Gen 3 with 9 lanes for the N150. Integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics on the 356H and UHD Graphics 730 on the N150.

Release dates differ by over a year: the 356H was released on 2026-01-04, while the N150 was released on 2024-11-19. The 356H carries part number SA4RGQ9EU, and the N150 carries part number SRPNR. Both processors are active in production, have locked multipliers, and do not support ECC memory. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.