Intel Core i7-8550U vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
37.7Single-core74.6
23.8Multi-core61.3
66.4Efficiencyspec-based81.4
25.8iGPU88.3
37.2Platformspec-based56.4
1 spec wins — Intel Core i7-8550U13 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra X9 388H wins this laptop processor face-off, 69.6 to 35.9, pulling ahead mainly in iGPU (+63) and multi-core (+38). Intel Core i7-8550U 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 i7-8550U
- 40% lower Base TDP: 15 W vs 25 W
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Stronger single-core score: 75 vs 38
- Stronger multi-core score: 61 vs 24
- Stronger iGPU score: 88 vs 26
- 1571% higher 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU): 6,501 vs 389
- 549% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 18,911 vs 2,914
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017 | 2026 |
| Process | 14 nm | 2 nm+86% |
| Base TDP | 15 W+40% | 25 W |
| Max TDP | 25 W | 80 W+220% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 16+300% |
| Performance cores | — | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | — | 12 |
| Threads | 8 | 16+100% |
| Base clock | 1.8 GHz | 2.1 GHz+17% |
| Boost clock | 4 GHz | 5.1 GHz+27% |
| L3 cache | 8 MB | 18 MB+125% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 | Intel Arc B390 |
| iGPU clock | 1,150 MHz | 2,500 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2400 / LPDDR3-2133 | LPDDR5X |
| Max memory | 32 GB | 96 GB+200% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 3,038Top 19% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 17,395Top 16% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,021Bottom 10% | 2,201+116%Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 2,914Bottom 6% | 18,911+549%Top 19% |
| PassMark | 5,794Bottom 8% | 36,409+528%Top 16% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 389Bottom 8% | 6,501+1571%Top 3% |
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