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Intel Core Ultra 7 356H vs Intel Core Ultra 9 185H: Comparison
Core Ultra 7 356H vs Core Ultra 9 185H: the performance cores difference
There is no decisive spec gap here. Performance cores splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Core Ultra 7 356H 4 against Core Ultra 9 185H 6. L3 cache runs the same way, 18 MB on the Core Ultra 7 356H versus 24 MB on the Core Ultra 9 185H, another win for Core Ultra 9 185H. They differ on product line too, Core Ultra 7 on the Core Ultra 7 356H versus Core Ultra 9 on the Core Ultra 9 185H.
Core Ultra 7 356H vs Core Ultra 9 185H: which one fits your build
Take the Core Ultra 7 356H for mainstream performance laptops pairing 16 cores with a discrete GPU, using the 20 PCIe lanes. The same goes for users wanting a 50 TOPS NPU and 16 cores on Panther Lake. It is the wrong buy for buyers relying on integrated graphics, since it has only 4 Xe3 cores. Take the Core Ultra 9 185H for premium ultraportable and creator laptops wanting Intel's strongest available integrated graphics and on-device AI acceleration. It is not the one for buyers prioritizing maximum raw CPU throughput, contemporary desktop-class chips deliver more for less money. Our rating of the Core Ultra 9 185H (8.1/10): the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H is a high-end laptop chip with strong multicore speed and capable Arc graphics for thin performance laptops.
What Core Ultra 7 356H and Core Ultra 9 185H have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, total cores, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core Ultra 7 356H and Core Ultra 9 185H differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 8 on the Core Ultra 7 356H versus 10 on the Core Ultra 9 185H.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Intel
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Intel
Product Line
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Core Ultra 7
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Core Ultra 9
Form Factor
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Laptop
Model Number
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 356H
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Ultra 9 185H
Codename
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Panther Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Meteor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 2026
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 2023
TDP
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 25 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 45 W
iGPU
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Intel Arc (4 Xe3-cores)
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Intel Arc graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Panther Lake, Intel Core Ultra Series 3
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Meteor Lake, Core Ultra 100 Series
Socket
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- FCBGA2540
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- FCBGA2049
Process Node
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 18 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 4 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 16
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 16
Performance Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 4
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 6Best
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 10Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 16
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 22Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 1.9 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 2.3 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 5.1 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 18 MB-25%
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 24 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 25 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 45 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 80 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 115 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- DDR5, LPDDR5x
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Yes
NPU Peak TOPS
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 50 TOPS (NPU 5)
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 11 TOPS
Which one should you pick?
Choose 356H if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose 185H if you want the higher L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $640.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H is a high-end laptop chip with strong multicore speed and capable Arc graphics for thin performance laptops.