Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
79Single-core80.3
86.8Multi-core57.5
44.4Efficiencyspec-based81.4
60.5iGPU70
73.9Platformspec-based58.2
12 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus3 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 68.2, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+29). Intel Core Ultra 7 356H still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 58
- 113% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 18,586
- 100% higher Max TDP: 160 W vs 80 W
- 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
- 100% higher L3 cache: 36 MB vs 18 MB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H
- Stronger iGPU score: 70 vs 61
- 55% lower Base TDP: 25 W vs 55 W
- 53% higher 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU): 2,846 vs 1,855
- 33% lower process: 2 nm vs 3 nm
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 2 nm+33% |
| Base TDP | 55 W | 25 W+55% |
| Max TDP | 160 W+100% | 80 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24+50% | 16 |
| Performance cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 16+33% | 12 |
| Threads | 24+50% | 16 |
| Base clock | 2.7 GHz+42% | 1.9 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+17% | 4.7 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB+100% | 18 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Intel Graphics (4 Xe3-cores) |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 2,450 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X, DDR5 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+100% | 128 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198Top 11% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581Top 9% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+15%Top 3% | 2,033Top 20% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+113%Top 2% | 18,586Top 21% |
| PassMark | 58,672+71%Top 1% | 34,251Top 19% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855Top 36% | 2,846+53%Top 19% |
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