Intel Core Ultra X7 358H vs Intel Processor N250 Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H and Intel Processor N250 represent opposite ends of Intel’s mobile processor spectrum. The Core Ultra X7 358H is a high-performance part built for demanding workloads, while the Intel Processor N250 is an efficient, low-power chip designed for basic tasks. The data in the database shows that these two processors have almost no overlap in capability, making the choice between them straightforward for most users.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H wins decisively in every performance category recorded. With 16 cores and 16 threads, it delivers a multi-threaded score of 18,747 points in Cinebench R23, while the Intel Processor N250, with only 4 cores and 4 threads, has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. The Core Ultra X7 358H also dominates in single-thread performance, scoring 2,080 points in Cinebench R23 single-core, compared to the absence of any benchmark data for the N250.

The Intel Processor N250 wins in the areas of power consumption and simplicity. It carries a TDP of 6 watts, which is drastically lower than the Core Ultra X7 358H’s 25 watts. This makes the N250 suitable for fanless designs and systems where battery life is paramount. The N250 also uses a 10 nm process node, which, while not as advanced as the 3 nm node of the Core Ultra X7 358H, is sufficient for its intended workloads.

The use-case split is clear: the Core Ultra X7 358H is for users who need significant processing power for tasks such as content creation, software compilation, or heavy multitasking. The Intel Processor N250 is for users who prioritize low power draw and basic computing, such as web browsing, document editing, or media playback.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is built on a 3 nm process node and uses the Panther Lake codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 3. It features 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The processor includes a large cache hierarchy: 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Intel Processor N250 is based on the Twin Lake architecture, also known as Alder Lake-N. It uses a 10 nm process node and features 4 cores and 4 threads. Its base clock is a very low 0.10 GHz, with a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The cache configuration is much smaller: 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support differs significantly. The Core Ultra X7 358H supports LPDDR5X memory in a dual-channel configuration, providing a memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s. The N250 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory, but only in a single-channel configuration, which limits its memory bandwidth to 38.4 GB/s. This difference alone accounts for a large portion of the performance gap in memory-intensive workloads.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Core Ultra X7 358H uses Arc B390 graphics, while the N250 uses UHD Graphics 730. The PCIe support is another differentiator: the Core Ultra X7 358H offers Gen 5 with 4 lanes, while the N250 offers Gen 3 with 9 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H and the Intel Processor N250 are not available in the database. The N250 has no recorded benchmark scores, and the head-to-head benchmark array is empty. However, the Core Ultra X7 358H’s absolute scores provide a clear picture of its performance level.

In Cinebench R23, the Core Ultra X7 358H scores 18,747 points in the multi-core test and 2,080 points in the single-core test. These scores place it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score is 40,967 points, which is comparable to its nearest rivals. For example, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 has an average score of 41,208 points, a difference of -0.6%, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H scores 41,215 points, also -0.6%. The Core Ultra X7 358H is slightly ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G, which scores 40,718 points, a difference of 0.6%.

In PassMark tests, the Core Ultra X7 358H shows strong results. It scores 332,508 points in data compression, 26,046 points in data encryption, 27,274 points in extended instructions, and 103,842 points in floating point math. The integer math score is 83,147 points, and the multi-thread score is 33,802 points. The single-thread score is 4,124 points, and the physics score is 3,021 points. These numbers confirm that the Core Ultra X7 358H is a capable processor for both integer and floating-point workloads.

Without any benchmark data for the Intel Processor N250, the comparison is one-sided. The database records no wins for the N250 in any test. The Core Ultra X7 358H wins all recorded benchmarks by default, but the lack of N250 scores means the magnitude of the performance gap cannot be quantified directly.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between the two processors are extensive and define their respective market positions.

• Cores and Threads: The Core Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The N250 has 4 cores and 4 threads.
• Base Clock: The Core Ultra X7 358H runs at 1.90 GHz. The N250 runs at 0.10 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The Core Ultra X7 358H boosts to 4.80 GHz. The N250 boosts to 3.80 GHz.
• TDP: The Core Ultra X7 358H has a TDP of 25 watts. The N250 has a TDP of 6 watts.
• Process Node: The Core Ultra X7 358H is built on 3 nm. The N250 is built on 10 nm.
• Codename: The Core Ultra X7 358H uses Panther Lake. The N250 uses Twin Lake.
• Socket: The Core Ultra X7 358H uses Intel BGA 2540. The N250 uses Intel BGA 1264.
• L1 Cache: The Core Ultra X7 358H has 192 KB per core. The N250 has 96 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: The Core Ultra X7 358H has 3 MB per core. The N250 has 2 MB shared.
• L3 Cache: The Core Ultra X7 358H has 18 MB shared. The N250 has 6 MB shared.
• Memory Support: The Core Ultra X7 358H supports LPDDR5X. The N250 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5.
• Memory Bus: The Core Ultra X7 358H is dual-channel. The N250 is single-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: The Core Ultra X7 358H provides 153.6 GB/s. The N250 provides 38.4 GB/s.
• PCIe: The Core Ultra X7 358H offers Gen 5 with 4 lanes. The N250 offers Gen 3 with 9 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: The Core Ultra X7 358H uses Arc B390. The N250 uses UHD Graphics 730.
• Release Date: The Core Ultra X7 358H was released in 2026. The N250 was released in 2025.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Processor N250 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has a TDP of 25 watts, while the Intel Processor N250 has a TDP of 6 watts.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H supports LPDDR5X in a dual-channel configuration with 153.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Processor N250 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 in a single-channel configuration with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are there any benchmark scores for the Intel Processor N250?

A: No, the database contains no benchmark scores for the Intel Processor N250. It has an average benchmark score of 0 and no recorded test results.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is built on a 3 nm process node, while the Intel Processor N250 is built on a 10 nm process node.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the Intel Processor N250 has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

The Verdict

The data in the database makes the decision simple. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is a high-performance mobile processor that sits in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. Its 16 cores, 4.80 GHz boost clock, 18 MB of L3 cache, and 153.6 GB/s memory bandwidth make it suitable for demanding applications. Its average benchmark score of 40,967 points places it in the same performance class as processors like the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, both of which score within 0.6% of it.

The Intel Processor N250 is a low-power chip with a 6-watt TDP, 4 cores, and a 3.80 GHz boost clock. It has no recorded benchmark scores, meaning its performance level is unverified in the database. Its 10 nm process node and single-channel memory support indicate it is designed for efficiency rather than performance.

Users who need processing power for multi-threaded workloads, content creation, or heavy multitasking should choose the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H. Users who require minimal power consumption for basic tasks should choose the Intel Processor N250. The performance gap between them is stark, and there is no scenario in the recorded data where the N250 competes with the Core Ultra X7 358H on performance.