CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 7 255H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
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.
16 hybrid cores and strong multi-core PassMark (≈34k) deliver snappy application responsiveness and good throughput in office, development, and light creative workloads.
Gaming
Arc 140T graphics allow for respectable 1080p gaming at medium settings without a discrete GPU.
The 4-core Xe3 iGPU is noticeably faster than older UHD/Iris Xe but not in the same league as the 12-core Arc B-series iGPUs or modern discrete mobile GPUs. Expect playable 1080p low/medium in e-sports titles, but not smooth 1080p ultra in modern AAA games.
Virtualization
Capable of running light VMs, though limited by 16 threads.
Capable for light VM usage, but 16 threads and 96 GB max memory are more than sufficient for most client-side virtualization scenarios.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency thanks to LP E-Cores and mixed TSMC nodes.
At 25 W base, the 356H is efficient for its performance level; NanoReview rates power efficiency around 83/100, reflecting good performance per watt in typical laptop workloads.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- NPU provides 13 TOPS
- Arc GPU provides 74 TOPS
- Total platform AI reaches 96 TOPS
- NPU 5 up to 50 TOPS INT8 aligns with Intel’s Copilot+ PC requirements
- Good for local AI assistants, background blur, noise cancellation, and light on-device inference
- Not aimed at large-scale model training, but very capable for client AI workloads
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
- 4-core Xe3 iGPU is a solid step over 11th/12th-gen UHD but below Arc B390/B370
- Suitable for 1080p low/medium in e-sports and older titles
- For serious gaming, pair with a discrete GPU or choose a Panther Lake SKU with more Xe cores
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
- 16 hybrid cores with strong multi-threaded performance for a 25–80 W mobile SoC
- Intel 18A compute tile and modern core designs improve performance per watt vs prior generations
- Xe3 4-core iGPU is a notable upgrade over UHD/Iris Xe for light gaming and media
- NPU 5 with 50 TOPS INT8 supports Copilot+ and local AI workloads
- 20 PCIe 5.0/4.0 lanes and LPDDR5X-8533/DDR5-7200 support modern laptop and mini-PC designs
Cons
- 4-core Xe3 iGPU is still far behind the 12-core Arc B390/B370 found in higher Panther Lake SKUs
- No unlocked multiplier; performance ceiling depends on OEM power tuning
- Max 96 GB memory may feel limiting for some professional workloads
- Not intended for heavy sustained multi-threaded workloads without robust cooling
- Actual power and behavior can vary significantly between laptop designs
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 356H
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370Rival
High-Performance Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840HSRival
Thin-and-Light Performance
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 7 255HRival
Prior-Gen Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 9 275HXRival
High-End Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M4 ProRival
Premium Thin-and-Light
Same family with more Xe3 iGPU cores for better integrated gaming performance.
Compare head-to-headPrevious-gen Arrow Lake-H option often at lower prices with still-solid performance.
Compare head-to-head
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 very capable mobile SoC for users who want strong CPU performance, modern AI acceleration, and good efficiency, but who don’t need the fastest integrated gaming graphics and are comfortable with OEM-configured power limits.
Best for: Premium productivity or AI-focused laptop where you want strong CPU performance, modern NPU, and good efficiency, but don’t rely heavily on integrated gaming graphics.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 7 255H or Intel Core Ultra 7 356H?
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 356H?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H leads with a gaming performance score of 68/100 among Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 7 356H.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H (28 W), Intel Core Ultra 7 356H (25 W).
Do Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 7 356H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H: Intel BGA 2049, Intel Core Ultra 7 356H: FCBGA2540), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H (0), Intel Core Ultra 7 356H (33,903). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.