Intel Core Ultra 9 185H vs Intel Xeon 6349P Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the Intel Xeon 6349P has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon 6349P boosts to 5.70 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H's 5.10 GHz boost.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon 6349P supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 128 execution units, while the Intel Xeon 6349P has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H has an average benchmark score of 35670, slightly above the Intel Xeon 6349P's 34890.

Q: Which processor is in the higher overall percentile?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H sits at the 85th percentile, one point above the Intel Xeon 6349P at the 84th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design families. The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H uses the Meteor Lake architecture, built on a 7 nm process node. It belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1 generation. The Intel Xeon 6349P uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on a 10 nm process node, and belongs to the Xeon 6 generation. The Core Ultra 9 185H has a die size that is not recorded in the database, while the Xeon 6349P has a recorded die size of 163 mm². Both are manufactured by Intel.

Cache organization differs significantly. The Core Ultra 9 185H carries 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon 6349P carries 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 9 185H therefore provides larger per-core caches and a larger shared L3 pool, which aligns with its higher core count.

Memory support also differs. The Core Ultra 9 185H supports DDR5 with capacity depending on the motherboard, and its memory bandwidth is recorded at 89.6 GB/s. The Xeon 6349P supports both DDR4 and DDR5, and its memory bandwidth is not recorded. Both use dual-channel memory buses. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon 6349P.

The Core Ultra 9 185H is a mobile part, using the Intel BGA 2049 socket, while the Xeon 6349P targets server and workstation systems using Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 9 185H includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 128 execution units, whereas the Xeon 6349P has no integrated graphics at all. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Core Ultra 9 185H provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon 6349P provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon 6349P offers double the CPU PCIe lanes.

The launch dates are far apart. The Core Ultra 9 185H released on December 13, 2023, while the Xeon 6349P released on February 23, 2025. Both processors are currently listed as active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data tells a clear story of two different design goals. The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H wins 11 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, and its wins are often substantial. The Intel Xeon 6349P wins 6 benchmarks, with its biggest advantages in single-core tests. If the workload is heavily multithreaded, the Core Ultra 9 185H is the stronger pick. Its 16 cores and 22 threads deliver large margins in Cinebench R15 multicore, PassMark integer math, floating point math, physics, and random string sorting.

If the workload is single-core bound, the Xeon 6349P is clearly ahead. Its 5.70 GHz boost clock and Raptor Lake cores give it a 41.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and an 18.4% lead in PassMark single-thread. That matters for lightly threaded applications and responsiveness. The Xeon also has ECC memory support, which the Core Ultra lacks, and more PCIe lanes (16 versus 8), which matters for workstation expansion.

The average benchmark scores are very close: 35670 for the Core Ultra 9 185H versus 34890 for the Xeon 6349P, a difference of less than 1%. The percentile ranking is also close at 85 versus 84. Neither processor dominates the other overall. The choice depends entirely on thread count needs, single-core sensitivity, ECC requirements, and the expansion requirements.

The Core Ultra 9 185H is the better choice for general productivity, multithreaded rendering, and data-heavy PassMark workloads. The Xeon 6349P is the better choice for single-core performance, ECC memory, and PCIe lane count. The server and workstation segment of the Xeon 6349P is reflected in its feature set, while the mobile segment of the Core Ultra 9 185H is reflected in its integrated graphics and lower 45 W TDP. The Core Ultra 9 185H has a launch MSRP of $640, while the Xeon 6349P has a launch MSRP of $509.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every core specification. The Core Ultra 9 185H has 16 cores and 22 threads; the Xeon 6349P has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock of the Core Ultra is 3.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz for the Xeon, but the boost clock favors the Xeon at 5.70 GHz versus 5.10 GHz. The TDP differs substantially: 45 W for the Core Ultra versus 95 W for the Xeon.

The socket differs: Intel BGA 2049 for the Core Ultra versus Intel Socket 1700 for the Xeon. The architecture differs: Meteor Lake versus Raptor Lake. Process node differs: 7 nm versus 10 nm. The Xeon has a recorded die size of 163 mm², while the Core Ultra's die size is not recorded.

Cache hierarchies differ at every level. L1 is 112 KB per core for the Core Ultra versus 80 KB per core for the Xeon. L2 is 2 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core. L3 is 24 MB shared versus 18 MB shared.

Memory support differs: DDR5 only for the Core Ultra, DDR4 and DDR5 for the Xeon. Memory bandwidth is recorded at 89.6 GB/s for the Core Ultra and not recorded for the Xeon. ECC memory is unsupported on the Core Ultra but supported on the Xeon. PCIe lanes differ: 8 lanes versus 16 lanes, both Gen 5 CPU only. The Core Ultra has integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 128 execution units; the Xeon has no integrated graphics.

Market segment differs: Mobile versus Server/Workstation. Release dates differ: December 13, 2023 versus February 23, 2025. Part numbers differ: SRN23 versus SRPLT. The Xeon has no recorded series name, while the Core Ultra belongs to Core Ultra Series 1. The Core Ultra has a generation label of Ultra 9 (Meteor Lake), while the Xeon has a generation label of Xeon 6 (Raptor Lake Refresh).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are split in an unusual way. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 9 185H scores 2801.5 versus 2209 for the Xeon, a 26.5% lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon wins with 311 versus 264.5. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Core Ultra wins again with 10356 versus 9208, a 12.5% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Core Ultra also wins with 1462 versus 1299, another 12.5% lead.

Cinebench R23 flips the trend. In R23 multicore, the Xeon takes a decisive win with 21924 versus 17984.5, an 18% advantage. In R23 single-core, the Xeon's advantage grows to 41.5%, scoring 3095 versus 1810.5. This is the largest single-core margin in the entire comparison. The R23 multicore result is also notable: despite having fewer cores, the Xeon's higher boost clock and architecture allow it to outscore the Core Ultra.

PassMark results mostly favor the Core Ultra 9 185H. Data compression: 339489 versus 306774, a 10.7% win for the Core Ultra. Data encryption: 19827 versus 16239, a 22.1% win. Extended instructions: 20426 versus 20272, a narrow 0.8% win for the Xeon. Find prime numbers: 123 versus 90, a 36.7% win for the Core Ultra. Floating point math: 73270 versus 61796, an 18.6% win. Integer math: 98302 versus 82443, a 19.2% win. Multithread: 29376 versus 25793, a 13.9% win. Physics: 1956 versus 1408, a 38.9% win. Random string sorting: 39598 versus 31056, a 27.5% win. Single-thread: 4528 versus 3697, an 18.4% win for the Xeon.

The Core Ultra 9 185H has a 36.7% lead in prime number finding and a 38.9% lead in physics, both very large margins. The Xeon's only wins are in single-core tests, extended instructions, and R23 multicore. The Core Ultra wins 11 benchmarks, the Xeon wins 6.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H wins in multithreaded and data-heavy workloads. It is 26.8% ahead in Cinebench R15 multicore, 12.5% ahead in Cinebench R20 multicore, and 13.9% ahead in PassMark multithread. It leads by 19.2% in integer math, 18.6% in floating point math, and 38.9% in physics. It is also ahead by 36.7% in prime number finding and 27.5% in random string sorting. Data compression and encryption also favor the Core Ultra, with leads of 10.7% and 22.1% respectively. These results point to a processor well suited for rendering, scientific computing, and any workload that scales with many cores and threads.

The Intel Xeon 6349P wins in single-core performance and some specific areas. It is 41.5% ahead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 18.4% ahead in PassMark single-thread. It is also ahead in Cinebench R15 single-core by 15%. Its Cinebench R23 multicore win of 18% is notable, as it overcomes a core count deficit of 10 cores. The extended instructions win is narrow at 0.8%, indicating near parity in that specific test. The Xeon also has ECC memory support and 16 PCIe lanes, making it suitable for server and workstation environments that require data integrity and expansion.

The Core Ultra 9 185H is the pick for multithreaded mobile workloads with integrated graphics. The Xeon 6349P is the pick for single-core sensitive server workloads, ECC memory, and PCIe expansion. The recorded data shows no single overall winner, only a division of strengths.