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Intel Core Ultra 7 165H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX: Comparison

What is the difference between Core Ultra 7 165H and Core Ultra 7 255HX?

Expect a near tie. The closest thing to a difference is total cores, Core Ultra 7 165H 16 against Core Ultra 7 255HX 20. L3 cache runs the same way, 24 MB on the Core Ultra 7 165H versus 30 MB on the Core Ultra 7 255HX, another win for Core Ultra 7 255HX. They differ on p-core base clock too, 1.4 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 165H versus 2.4 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255HX. Tdp is not the same on both, 28 W on the Core Ultra 7 165H versus 55 W on the Core Ultra 7 255HX. Socket is not the same on both, FCBGA2049 on the Core Ultra 7 165H versus BGA 2114 on the Core Ultra 7 255HX.

Who each one is for

Buy the Core Ultra 7 165H for everyday laptop computing and on-device AI features, though it is not built for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. The Core Ultra 7 255HX suits high-end gaming laptops and mobile content creation, though it is the wrong buy for thin-and-light laptops and battery-life-focused use. Our rating of the Core Ultra 7 165H (8.7/10): the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H is the highest-binned Meteor Lake H-series chip in this catalog, well suited to premium laptops chasing maximum performance. Our rating of the Core Ultra 7 255HX (8.8/10): the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile package, suited to high-end gaming and creator laptops that can handle the higher TDP.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Core Ultra 7 165H and Core Ultra 7 255HX differ on performance cores?

Yes. Performance Cores reads 6 on the Core Ultra 7 165H versus 8 on the Core Ultra 7 255HX.

Is the Integrated Graphics the same on the Core Ultra 7 165H and Core Ultra 7 255HX?

It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Form Factor

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    Laptop
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    Laptop
  • Codename

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    Meteor Lake
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    Arrow Lake
  • Release Year

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    2023
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    2025
  • TDP

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    28 W
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    55 W
  • iGPU

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    Intel Arc graphics
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG, reduced EU count)
  • Market Segment

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    Laptop
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    Laptop
  • Microarchitecture

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    Meteor Lake
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    Arrow Lake-HX
  • Socket

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    FCBGA2049
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    BGA 2114 (BGA, soldered)
  • Process Node

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    7 nm
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    3 nm
  • Total Cores

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    16
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    20Best
  • Performance Cores

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    6
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    8Best
  • Efficiency Cores

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    10
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    12Best
  • Total Threads

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    22Best
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    20
  • SMT Enabled

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    Yes
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    No
  • P-Core Base Clock

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    1.4 GHz
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    2.4 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    5 GHz
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    5.2 GHz
  • L3 Cache

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    24 MB-20%
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    30 MBBest
  • Base Power

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    28 W
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    55 W
  • Max Turbo Power

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    115 W
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    160 W
  • Memory Type

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    DDR5 or LPDDR5X
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    DDR5
  • Integrated Graphics

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    Yes
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    Yes
  • NPU Peak TOPS

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
    11 TOPS (NPU 3)
    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
    13 TOPS (NPU 3)

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose 165H if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Choose 255HX if you want the higher L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

    Verdict

    Intel Core Ultra 7 165H

    8.7 / 10 Expert Rating

    The Intel Core Ultra 7 165H is the highest-binned Meteor Lake H-series chip in this catalog, well suited to premium laptops chasing maximum performance.

    Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX

    8.8 / 10 Expert Rating

    The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile package, suited to high-end gaming and creator laptops that can handle the higher TDP.

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