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Intel Core Ultra 7 356H vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388H: Comparison
Core Ultra 7 356H vs Core Ultra X9 388H: the p-core boost clock difference
P-core boost clock is the dividing line, Core Ultra 7 356H 4.7 GHz against Core Ultra X9 388H 5.1 GHz. P-core base clock is not the same on both, 1.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 356H versus 2.1 GHz on the Core Ultra X9 388H. E-core base clock is not the same on both, 1.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 356H versus 1.6 GHz on the Core Ultra X9 388H. They differ on product line too, Core Ultra 7 on the Core Ultra 7 356H versus Core Ultra X9 on the Core Ultra X9 388H. They differ on igpu too, Intel Arc on the Core Ultra 7 356H versus Intel Arc B390 on the Core Ultra X9 388H. There is a split on memory type as well, DDR5, LPDDR5x on the Core Ultra 7 356H versus LPDDR5x on the Core Ultra X9 388H.
Which should you buy, Core Ultra 7 356H or Core Ultra X9 388H?
Take the Core Ultra 7 356H for mainstream performance laptops pairing 16 cores with a discrete GPU, using the 20 PCIe lanes. It is equally the pick for users wanting a 50 TOPS NPU and 16 cores on Panther Lake. Avoid it for buyers relying on integrated graphics, since it has only 4 Xe3 cores. Buy the Core Ultra X9 388H for thin laptops needing 12 Xe3-core Arc B390 graphics. It also earns its place with users wanting a boost clock up to 5.1 GHz, 16 cores and a 50 TOPS NPU. It is not the one for laptops needing DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, since this chip is listed for LPDDR5x.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, low power efficiency cores and total threads are identical here. They match on 12 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TDP the same on the Core Ultra 7 356H and Core Ultra X9 388H?
It is. Both are listed at 25 W, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Intel
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Intel
Product Line
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Core Ultra 7
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Core Ultra X9
Form Factor
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Laptop
Model Number
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 356H
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 388H
Codename
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Panther Lake
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Panther Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 2026
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 2026
TDP
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 25 W
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 25 W
iGPU
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Intel Arc (4 Xe3-cores)
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Intel Arc B390 (12 Xe3-cores)
Market Segment
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Panther Lake, Intel Core Ultra Series 3
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Panther Lake, Intel Core Ultra Series 3
Socket
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- FCBGA2540
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- FCBGA2540
Process Node
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 18 nm
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 18 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 16
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 16
Performance Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 4
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 4
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 8
Total Threads
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 16
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 16
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- No
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 1.9 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 2.1 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 5.1 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 1.5 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 1.6 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 18 MB
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 18 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 25 W
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 25 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 80 W
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 80 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- DDR5, LPDDR5x
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- LPDDR5x
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Yes
NPU Peak TOPS
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 50 TOPS (NPU 5)
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 50 TOPS (NPU 5)
Low Power Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- 4
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 4
Which one should you pick?
Choose 356H if you want the higher L3 cache (18 MB vs 18 MB).
Choose 388H if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.