CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 322 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 355
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 5 322 is a 6-core, 6-thread mainstream mobile processor from Intel’s Panther Lake (Core Ultra Series 3) family, built on the Intel 18A process and targeting thin-and-light laptops with configurable TDP from 25 W up to 55 W and integrated Intel Graphics plus a 46 TOPS NPU for AI workloads.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 46 TOPS NPU supports Windows Studio Effects and Copilot+ features.
- CPU and GPU also expose Intel DL Boost and OpenVINO/DirectML/WebNN.
- Not intended for training large models; focused on inference and AI‑enhanced experiences.
- Dedicated 50 TOPS NPU for efficient AI inference
- Accelerates Windows Studio Effects (background blur, eye contact)
- Supports local AI assistant and small model execution
- Not designed for training large AI models
Content Creation
Gaming
- 2 Xe3‑core iGPU is a step up from older UHD graphics but below Arc B390 / discrete GPUs.
- AV1 encode/decode is useful for streaming and video playback.
- Best suited for esports and older titles at 1080p medium; modern AAA titles may need low settings or FSR/DLSS equivalents.
- Dependent on integrated Xe3 Graphics (512 shading units)
- Suitable for e-sports (CS2, Valorant) and casual titles at 1080p
- Not intended for high-refresh-rate AAA gaming
- Ray tracing is not supported
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 6‑core hybrid design balances performance and efficiency.
- Intel 18A process improves performance per watt for a modern mobile platform.
- 46 TOPS NPU enables Copilot+ and AI‑enhanced experiences.
- Integrated Intel Graphics with AV1 encode/decode and DP 2.1 / HDMI 2.1 outputs.
- Support for fast LPDDR5X and DDR5 memory.
- 12 PCIe lanes (Gen5 + Gen4) and Thunderbolt 4 provide modern I/O.
Cons
- Only 6 threads; weaker in heavily multi‑threaded workloads vs 8–12 core competitors.
- iGPU is entry‑level; not a replacement for discrete GPUs for serious gaming or heavy creative work.
- Locked multiplier; no manual overclocking headroom.
- Platform is new; long‑term software maturity is still developing.
- Higher‑end Panther Lake SKUs offer much more GPU and CPU performance for not much more money.
Pros
- Excellent performance per watt from 2nm process
- Strong integrated Xe3 graphics for an iGPU
- Dedicated NPU accelerates AI tasks efficiently
- Good single-core and multi-threaded responsiveness for everyday use
- Supports fast LPDDR5X memory for high bandwidth
- Configurable TDP suits various laptop designs
Cons
- Not intended for CPU-intensive gaming or heavy workloads
- Only 8 threads limit extreme multi-tasking capability
- Locked multiplier prevents enthusiast overclocking
- Soldered BGA socket means no CPU upgrades
- Limited PCIe lanes compared to desktop platforms
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core Ultra 5 322
- AMD Ryzen AI 5 340Rival
Mainstream Mobile AI APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 332Rival
Mainstream Mobile (Same Generation)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 325Rival
Higher‑TDP Mainstream Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 8540URival
Thin‑and‑Light Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HRival
Higher‑End Mainstream Mobile
Intel Core Ultra 7 355
- AMD Ryzen AI 7 350Rival
Thin & Light Laptop
- Apple M5 (10-Core)Rival
Premium Laptop
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 EliteRival
Always-Connected PC
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 7 365Rival
Thin & Light Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255HRival
Thin & Light Laptop (Previous Gen)
- Intel Core Ultra 7 355HAlt
Higher-wattage 'H' variant with better sustained multi-core performance for creator laptops.
- Intel Core Ultra 5 325HAlt
Lower-cost option with similar architecture but fewer cores, suitable for less demanding tasks.
Our Verdict on Each
A solid mainstream mobile CPU with a modern 18A process, capable integrated graphics, and strong AI acceleration for its power envelope, though 6 threads limit heavy multi-threaded workloads.
Best for: Thin‑and‑light or mainstream laptops where you want good efficiency, modern AI features, and integrated graphics capable of light gaming and AV1 media.
Read the full reviewA capable and efficient mobile processor with a strong feature set for its segment, including integrated Xe3 graphics and an NPU. Its 8-core design offers good multi-threaded responsiveness, though it's not intended for high-end gaming or extreme workstation loads.
Best for: Purchasing a premium thin-and-light laptop (e.g., Dell XPS 14, ASUS Zenbook) where you need strong everyday performance, light creator capability, and excellent battery life in a portable form factor.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core Ultra 5 322 or Intel Core Ultra 7 355?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 322 leads with a gaming performance score of 75/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 322 and Intel Core Ultra 7 355.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 322 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 5 322 (25 W).
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 322 and Intel Core Ultra 7 355 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the FCBGA2540 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core Ultra 7 355 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core Ultra 5 322 (6 cores), Intel Core Ultra 7 355 (8 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core Ultra 7 355 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core Ultra 7 355 (636). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.