Intel Core 3 100U vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers an unambiguous result: the Intel Core 7 251TE wins every single head-to-head comparison, 17 of 17 recorded tests, against the Intel Core 3 100U. The Core 7 251TE sits at the 88th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 3 100U lands at the 70th percentile. Its average benchmark score of 41650 dwarfs the Core 3 100U's 16148, a gap that places these processors in entirely different performance tiers.

The Core 3 100U is a 15 W mobile part built for compact laptops where efficiency and modest workload capability matter more than raw throughput. The Core 7 251TE is a 45 W desktop processor with 24 cores, 32 threads, and a 5.40 GHz boost clock. The data indicates that anyone selecting the Core 3 100U should be prioritizing power-constrained mobile systems, while the Core 7 251TE is the choice for desktop builds demanding maximum multi-threaded performance.

The Core 7 251TE also edges out the Core 3 100U in single-threaded work, though by a much narrower margin. In PassMark single-thread testing, the Core 7 251TE scores 3568 against 3506 for the Core 3 100U, a modest 1.7% advantage. The single-core Cinebench results tell a different story, however, with the Core 7 251TE leading by 58.4% to 58.6% across R15, R20, and R23. The architecture differences explain this discrepancy, which the following sections detail.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 3 100U records zero benchmark wins against the Core 7 251TE. Every measured test, from Cinebench R15 multicore to PassMark integer math, favors the Core 7 251TE. There is no workload category in the recorded data where the Core 3 100U takes the lead.

The closest contest appears in single-threaded PassMark testing, where the Core 3 100U trails by only 1.7%. This suggests that for lightly threaded workloads that do not stress cache hierarchies or sustained boost behavior, the Core 3 100U is competitive. However, the Cinebench single-core results contradict this, showing the Core 7 251TE ahead by roughly 58% in all three versions. The PassMark single-thread test appears less sensitive to the architectural differences between these two processors.

The Core 7 251TE wins decisively in every multi-threaded metric. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25518 is 140% higher than the Core 3 100U's 10624. PassMark integer math shows the Core 7 251TE at 125739 versus 39580, a 68.5% advantage. Floating point math favors the Core 7 251TE by 66.9%, with scores of 85607 and 28322 respectively. Data compression, encryption, prime number finding, physics simulation, and random string sorting all show the Core 7 251TE leading by margins between 53.5% and 63.3%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families with different design goals. The Core 3 100U uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, built for mobile platforms. The Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and targets desktop systems.

The core counts differ dramatically. The Core 3 100U provides 6 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 7 251TE provides 24 cores and 32 threads. Both use a 10 nm process from Intel's foundry. The Core 7 251TE has a larger die at 215 mm², while the Core 3 100U's die size is not recorded in the database.

Cache configurations scale with the core counts. Both processors use 80 KB L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache differs substantially: the Core 3 100U has 10 MB shared, while the Core 7 251TE has 36 MB shared. This 26 MB difference in L3 capacity contributes to the Core 7 251TE's advantage in data-intensive workloads.

The Core 3 100U uses Intel BGA 1744 socket, typical for soldered mobile processors. The Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. The Core 7 251TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Core 3 100U's bandwidth is not listed. The Core 7 251TE supports ECC memory; the Core 3 100U does not.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The Core 3 100U offers Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Core 7 251TE offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 3 100U uses UHD Graphics 64EU, and the Core 7 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770.

Clock speeds favor the Core 7 251TE in both base and boost. The Core 3 100U runs at 1.20 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The Core 7 251TE runs at 1.40 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost. Thermal design power reflects the performance gap: 15 W for the Core 3 100U versus 45 W for the Core 7 251TE.

Release dates differ by roughly one year. The Core 3 100U launched on January 7, 2024, and the Core 7 251TE launched on January 12, 2025. Both remain in active production.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Core 7 251TE in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Core 7 251TE scores 25518 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Core 3 100U scores 10624. The Core 7 251TE leads by 58.4%.

Q: Do these CPUs support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. The Core 7 251TE adds ECC memory support, which the Core 3 100U lacks.

Q: What is the difference in single-threaded performance?

A: In PassMark single-thread testing, the Core 7 251TE scores 3568 versus 3506 for the Core 3 100U, a 1.7% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 7 251TE scores 3602 versus 1499, a 58.4% difference.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The Core 7 251TE has 36 MB shared L3 cache. The Core 3 100U has 10 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The Core 3 100U has a 15 W TDP. The Core 7 251TE has a 45 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the entire comparison appears in PassMark integer math. The Core 7 251TE scores 125739, the Core 3 100U scores 39580, and the delta is 68.5%. This workload exercises arithmetic operations on integer data and heavily favors the Core 7 251TE's 24-core configuration.

PassMark floating point math shows the second-largest margin at 66.9%. The Core 7 251TE scores 85607 against 28322 for the Core 3 100U. This test measures scientific and engineering calculations, where the Core 7 251TE's additional cores and higher boost clock provide a substantial advantage.

Data encryption delivers a 63.3% win for the Core 7 251TE, scoring 22176 against 8128. Prime number finding follows at 62.9%, with scores of 140 and 52. Random string sorting shows a 61.7% margin, 39643 versus 15191. Data compression completes the largest PassMark margins at 59.2%, with the Core 7 251TE scoring 334399 against 136497.

The Cinebench suite shows consistent 58.4% to 58.6% margins. Cinebench R15 multicore: 2572 versus 1070. R15 single-core: 362 versus 150. R20 multicore: 10717 versus 4462. R20 single-core: 1512 versus 629. R23 multicore: 25518 versus 10624. R23 single-core: 3602 versus 1499. The consistency across all three Cinebench versions indicates the performance gap is stable regardless of the rendering workload's complexity.

PassMark multithread shows a 58.3% margin, with scores of 30022 and 12522. Extended instructions deliver a 53.5% margin, 16974 versus 7894. Physics simulation shows a 54.8% margin, 1938 versus 876.

The smallest margin in the entire dataset is PassMark single-thread testing at 1.7%. The Core 7 251TE scores 3568, the Core 3 100U scores 3506. This near-parity suggests that for workloads limited to a single thread and not sensitive to cache capacity, the two processors perform almost identically. The larger single-core Cinebench margins indicate that Cinebench's single-threaded test benefits from the Core 7 251TE's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz and its larger 36 MB L3 cache.

Specification Differences

The recorded specification differences between these two processors are extensive.

| Specification | Intel Core 3 100U | Intel Core 7 251TE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 24 |

| Threads | 8 | 32 |

| Base clock | 1.20 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Bartlett Lake |

| Generation | Core 3 (Raptor Lake-U) | Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 10 nm |

| Die size | Not recorded | 215 mm² |

| L3 cache | 10 MB shared | 36 MB shared |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2024-01-07 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | $384 |

Both processors share identical L1 cache of 80 KB per core and L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. Both use a 10 nm process from Intel. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 3 100U launches at a higher MSRP of $426, while the Core 7 251TE carries a $384 launch MSRP, despite delivering substantially higher performance across every recorded benchmark.