CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 7 255H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 355
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is a versatile mobile processor launched in January 2025, based on the Arrow Lake-H architecture. It is tailored for premium thin-and-light laptops and portable creators, featuring a 16-core, 16-thread hybrid design. The configuration includes 6 'Lion Cove' P-Cores, 10 'Skymont' E-Cores, and 2 Low-Power E-Cores (LP E-Cores) for maximum efficiency. Built on TSMC's 3nm process, with specific tiles utilizing N6 and N5 nodes, it achieves an excellent balance of performance and power efficiency. The processor operates at a 2.0 GHz base frequency and boosts up to 5.1 GHz. With a default TDP of 28W and a configurable turbo power up to 115W, it adapts dynamically to thermal constraints. It also features Arc Graphics 140T and a 13 TOPS NPU, delivering a combined 96 TOPS of AI performance, making it a highly capable chip for modern AI-accelerated workflows.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy application performance and strong multi-core scaling for a 28W chip.
Smooth multitasking with many browser tabs, office applications, and light creative applications. The hybrid core design handles mixed workloads well.
Gaming
Arc 140T graphics allow for respectable 1080p gaming at medium settings without a discrete GPU.
Capable of running e-sports titles and older games at 1080p medium settings, but modern AAA titles will require significant compromises or an external GPU.
Virtualization
Capable of running light VMs, though limited by 16 threads.
Adequate for running a couple of light VMs or containers for development, but not suited for heavy virtualization workloads.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency thanks to LP E-Cores and mixed TSMC nodes.
Excellent performance per watt, a hallmark of the 2nm process and Panther Lake architecture, enabling long battery life in thin designs.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- NPU provides 13 TOPS
- Arc GPU provides 74 TOPS
- Total platform AI reaches 96 TOPS
- 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
- Arc 140T is a massive leap over previous iGPUs
- Can handle esports titles at high framerates
- Supports XeSS upscaling for better performance
- 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
- Massive 96 TOPS AI performance
- Powerful Arc 140T integrated graphics
- Excellent 28W power efficiency
- Includes LP E-Cores for battery life
- 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- L3 cache reduced to 24 MB compared to HX
- Max memory limited to 64 GB
- Cannot match discrete GPU performance
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 7 255H
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M4Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258VRival
Mobile
Next generation with better AI performance and graphics.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Excellent alternative for macOS users seeking efficiency.
Compare head-to-head Budget-friendly alternative with similar architecture.
Compare head-to-head- Qualcomm Snapdragon X PlusAlt
Alternative for ARM-based efficiency and battery life.
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
- Compare head-to-headIntel 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
An exceptionally well-rounded mobile CPU that perfectly balances power, efficiency, and integrated graphics capabilities for premium laptops.
Best for: Premium ultrabook or thin-and-light creator laptop
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 better, Intel Core Ultra 7 255H or Intel Core Ultra 7 355?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H comes out ahead with a score of 8.7/10. 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 Ultra 7 255H or Intel Core Ultra 7 355?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 7 355 leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 7 355.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H (28 W).
Do Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 7 355 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H: Intel BGA 2049, Intel Core Ultra 7 355: FCBGA2540), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H (16 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 255H (0), Intel Core Ultra 7 355 (636). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.