Tag: Core Ultra X7

  • Core Ultra 7 355 Benchmarks Fall Short of Core Ultra X7

    Core Ultra 7 355 Benchmarks Fall Short of Core Ultra X7

    Key Takeaways

    1. The 2026 Dell XPS 14 offers two processor options: Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra X7, with significant performance differences.
    2. The Core Ultra 7 355 is 30 to 50 percent slower than the Core Ultra X7 358H during multi-threaded tasks.
    3. Despite being a newer model, the Core Ultra 7 355 has similar power draw to the Core Ultra X7 and previous generation processors.
    4. The performance gap between the two processors does not result in a proportional reduction in power consumption.
    5. The Core Ultra 7 355’s performance-per-watt is noticeably lower compared to the Core Ultra X7 358H.

    The 2026 Dell XPS 14 is now available for purchase, allowing buyers to select between the Core Ultra 7 or the Core Ultra X7 Panther Lake processors. We recently had the opportunity to examine both models, and it’s important to note that the lower-priced Core Ultra 7 configuration presents a significant performance gap that potential customers should consider.

    Performance Discrepancies

    According to our comparison charts, the new U-series Core Ultra 7 355 in the XPS 14 is about 30 to 50 percent slower than the Core Ultra X7 358H during multi-threaded tasks. The more significant performance drop is especially evident in the first minute of CPU stress tests, where the Core Ultra X7 can take advantage of its higher Turbo Boost capabilities compared to the U-series model. Even after factoring in any throttling, the 30 percent difference is still quite substantial.

    Processor Comparison

    When we look at overall performance, the Core Ultra 7 355 is more comparable to the previous generation Lunar Lake Core Ultra 7 258V, but it shows slightly lower NPU TOPS performance. Many might think that the Core Ultra 7 355 would operate with a lower power draw than the Core Ultra X7 or the Core Ultra 7 258V since Panther Lake-U is slower and more recent than Panther Lake-H. Sadly, this assumption doesn’t hold true. For instance, when using CineBench R23 xT on an external monitor, the Core Ultra 7 XPS 14 requires nearly the same power as the Core Ultra X7 XPS 14 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 once Turbo Boost speeds have leveled off.

    Power Draw Insights

    This means that the 30 percent performance gap does not translate into a 30 percent reduction in power consumption, leading to a noticeable decrease in performance-per-watt when comparing the Core Ultra 7 355 and Core Ultra X7 358H.

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  • Core Ultra X7 358H vs. Core Ultra 7 255H: Panther Lake Performance

    Core Ultra X7 358H vs. Core Ultra 7 255H: Panther Lake Performance

    Key Takeaways

    1. Intel is launching Panther Lake-H with two new models: Core Ultra X7 358H and Core Ultra X9 388H, replacing the Arrow Lake-H series.
    2. The integrated Arc B390 GPU shows significant improvement over the previous Arc 140T/140V series.
    3. The Asus ExpertBook Ultra with Core Ultra X7 outperforms older 14-inch laptops, maintaining stable Turbo Boost clock rates during heavy use.
    4. Panther Lake CPUs, while performant, can reach high temperatures (around 89 C) under prolonged heavy loads, which is hotter than many competitors.
    5. More laptops with Panther Lake are expected in Q2, with the MSI Prestige series being a notable upcoming release.

    Intel is launching Panther Lake-H with two strong SKUs: the Core Ultra X7 358H and the Core Ultra X9 388H. These are set to take the place of the previous Arrow Lake-H models, the Core Ultra 7 255H and Core Ultra 9 285H. Although the new integrated Arc B390 GPU is being praised for its significant improvement over the Arc 140T/140V series, the performance gains in the CPU department from one generation to the next are not as marked. Still, the immediate benefits are certainly noteworthy.

    Performance Comparison

    The graphs below demonstrate that the Asus ExpertBook Ultra equipped with the Core Ultra X7 outpaces and outperforms other 14-inch laptops that have the older Core Ultra 7 255H. This indicates that Turbo Boost clock rates remain stable for longer durations on the Asus, while they tend to decrease more quickly in Arrow Lake-H subnotebooks. For instance, when running CineBench R15 xT repeatedly, the Asus maintains relatively stable scores, in contrast to the Lenovo Yoga Book 9 14, which experiences a performance drop of nearly 25 percent.

    Heat Management Issues

    However, this improved and consistent performance comes at a cost. Under heavy loads for prolonged periods, the Panther Lake CPU in the Asus tends to stabilize at about 89 C, making it noticeably hotter than many other 14-inch laptops, which typically range from mid 70 C to mid 80 C. Moreover, there is no assurance that upcoming models featuring Panther Lake will maintain the same performance levels as the Asus, especially since the CPU is engineered to operate dynamically across various power envelopes to accommodate different screen sizes.

    Future Availability

    More laptops utilizing Panther Lake are anticipated to be released in the second quarter of this year, with the completely revamped MSI Prestige series being a significant highlight. Until then, users can explore our review of the ExpertBook Ultra for additional early benchmarks and comparisons.

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