CPU Comparison
Intel Core 7 350 vs Core Ultra 7 258V
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
Responsive for office, web, and light productivity workloads; strong single-thread performance for a low-power SoC, but not a replacement for higher-wattage creator chips.
32GB of RAM ensures excellent multitasking capabilities.
Gaming
Not designed for gaming; integrated Xe3 graphics can handle older or lightweight titles at low resolution, but modern AAA games are beyond its comfort zone.
Good for light gaming, though slightly lower clocks than 268V marginally impact FPS.
Virtualization
VT-x and VT-d are present, but limited cores and memory bandwidth make it best suited for light virtualization or container use rather than large VM farms.
Sufficient memory and cores for light VM usage.
Efficiency
Excellent performance-per-watt within its 15–35 W envelope; early Wildcat Lake data shows significant efficiency gains over older Core 7 150U designs.
Top-tier power efficiency identical to other Lunar Lake chips.
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
- 47 TOPS NPU is more than enough for Copilot+
- Total 115 TOPS platform performance
- 32GB RAM is highly beneficial for local AI models
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
- Arc 140V handles esports titles well
- Slightly lower dynamic GPU frequency (1950 MHz)
- 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
- 32GB of integrated memory
- Excellent power efficiency
- 47 TOPS NPU for AI
- Great value compared to 268V
- Arc 140V graphics
Cons
- Slightly lower clocks than 268V
- Non-upgradeable memory
- Limited to 8 threads
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.
Core Ultra 7 258V
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X PlusRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 228VRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840URival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 268VAlt
For slightly higher clock speeds and 1 extra NPU TOP.
- Intel Core Ultra 7 266VAlt
If 16GB of RAM is enough for your needs.
- Apple MacBook Air M3Alt
For a different premium OS experience.
For a cheaper Lunar Lake option.
Compare head-to-head
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 reviewThe 258V offers nearly identical performance to the 268V at a potentially lower price, making it a smart choice for 32GB ultrabooks.
Best for: The Core Ultra 7 258V is exclusively found in pre-built laptops and is a fantastic choice for users who need a highly portable machine with plenty of memory. If you want 32 GB of RAM for multitasking, coding, or light creative work, but don't necessarily need the absolute maximum clock speeds of the 268V, the 258V offers excellent value. It is perfect for students, professionals, and writers who want all-day battery life without worrying about running out of RAM. Just remember that neither the CPU nor the memory can be upgraded. If you find a laptop with the 258V at a good price, it is a highly recommended purchase for everyday productivity and AI tasks.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core 7 350 or Core Ultra 7 258V?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core Ultra 7 258V comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. 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 Core Ultra 7 258V?
For gaming, the Core Ultra 7 258V leads with a gaming performance score of 68/100 among Intel Core 7 350 and Core Ultra 7 258V.
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), Core Ultra 7 258V (17 W).
Do Intel Core 7 350 and Core Ultra 7 258V use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core 7 350: FCBGA1516, Core Ultra 7 258V: Intel BGA 2833), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Core Ultra 7 258V has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core 7 350 (6 cores), Core Ultra 7 258V (8 cores).
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), Core Ultra 7 258V (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.