CPU Comparison
Intel Core 7 350 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 332
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core 7 350 is a low-power mobile SoC from Intel’s Core Series 3 (Wildcat Lake) family, combining two Cougar Cove performance cores and four Darkmont low-power efficient cores with integrated Xe3 graphics and an 18 TOPS NPU, aimed at thin-and-light laptops and edge AI systems within a 15 W–35 W power envelope.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 17 TOPS NPU for on-device AI effects
- 21 GPU TOPS for AI-assisted media tasks
- Targeted at edge AI inference and client AI features rather than large-scale training
- 46 TOPS NPU5 for efficient on‑device AI
- Good for Windows Studio Effects and local AI assistants
- Not aimed at large‑scale model training
Content Creation
Gaming
- 2 Xe3 iGPU cores not aimed at gaming
- Suitable for casual or older games only
- Modern AAA titles will require low settings and resolution
- 2‑core Xe3 iGPU is entry‑level for gaming
- Suitable for eSports and older titles at 1080p
- Not intended for AAA gaming at high settings
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Strong single-thread performance for a 15 W-class SoC
- Good efficiency and battery life in thin designs
- Integrated NPU and modern AI features
- Xe3 iGPU with AV1 decode and modern display outputs
- Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7 R2 support on Wildcat Lake platforms
Cons
- Only six threads and single-channel memory
- Limited gaming and heavy compute capability
- BGA package means no CPU upgrades
- Not intended for high-end workstation or gaming use
- Max turbo power and performance depend on OEM cooling implementation
Pros
- Strong AI capabilities with 46 TOPS NPU5
- vPro enterprise security and manageability
- Efficient 18A process for good battery life
- Modern I/O including PCIe 5.0, Thunderbolt 4, Wi‑Fi 7
- Full AV1 encode/decode and modern display outputs
Cons
- Only 6 cores / 6 threads limits heavy multi‑tasking and rendering
- 2‑core Xe3 iGPU is entry‑level for gaming and GPU compute
- No overclocking headroom
- Higher‑core Panther Lake SKUs offer significantly more multi‑threaded performance
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core 7 350
- AMD Ryzen AI 7 350Rival
Low-Power AI Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258VRival
Premium Low-Power Laptop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core 7 360Rival
SIPP-Validated Wildcat Lake
- Apple M3 / A19 Pro-class ARM SoCsRival
Premium ARM Laptops
- Snapdragon X2 Plus 6-coreRival
Windows on ARM Copilot+ PC
Slightly lower clocks and fewer GPU/AI resources for a more budget-friendly Wildcat Lake option.
Compare head-to-head- Older Intel Core 7 150U laptops (discounted)Alt
Cheaper on the used market if you don’t need Wildcat Lake’s AI features or 18A efficiency.
Intel Core Ultra 5 332
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840HSRival
Mainstream Mobile (Zen 4, 8 cores / 16 threads)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 335Rival
Mainstream Mobile (4P+4LP‑E, 8 cores)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 325Rival
Mainstream Mobile (4P+4LP‑E, 8 cores, higher clocks)
- AMD Ryzen 5 8640HSRival
Mainstream Mobile (Zen 4, 6 cores / 12 threads)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 PlusRival
Arm‑based Always Connected PC
- Intel Core Ultra 7 355HAlt
Higher‑end Panther Lake SKU with more cores and a stronger iGPU if you need better creator or gaming performance.
- Intel Core Ultra 5 225UAlt
Lower‑power Lunar Lake alternative if you prioritize maximum battery life over AI TOPS and vPro features.
Our Verdict on Each
A strong step forward for low-power x86, offering competitive single-thread and solid multi-thread performance alongside meaningful AI acceleration, though it is not intended for heavy sustained gaming or workstation workloads.
Best for: Thin-and-light laptop or mini PC where battery life, AI features, and modern connectivity matter more than gaming or heavy compute.
Read the full reviewA capable, efficiency‑focused mobile chip for business and mainstream laptops, offering strong AI and security features via NPU5 and vPro, but not aimed at heavy creators or gamers who need more cores and a stronger iGPU.
Best for: Business or mainstream laptop with vPro, where AI features, security, and battery life matter more than heavy multi‑thread performance or high‑end gaming.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core 7 350 or Intel Core Ultra 5 332?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 332 comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core 7 350 or Intel Core Ultra 5 332?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 332 leads with a gaming performance score of 60/100 among Intel Core 7 350 and Intel Core Ultra 5 332.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core 7 350 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core 7 350 (15 W), Intel Core Ultra 5 332 (25 W).
Do Intel Core 7 350 and Intel Core Ultra 5 332 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core 7 350: FCBGA1516, Intel Core Ultra 5 332: FCBGA2540), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core 7 350 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core 7 350 (16,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.