Intel Core 5 223PQE vs Intel Core 7 150HL Comparison

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts for the Intel Core 5 223PQE and the Intel Core 7 150HL?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 7 150HL has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE boosts to 5.50 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core 7 150HL's 5.00 GHz boost.

Q: How does the power draw differ between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE has a TDP of 125, while the Intel Core 7 150HL has a TDP of 45, making the latter far more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, only the Intel Core 5 223PQE supports ECC memory; the Intel Core 7 150HL does not.

Q: What integrated graphics are included on each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Intel Core 7 150HL uses Iris Xe Graphics 96EU.

Q: Which processor provides more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Intel Core 7 150HL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Where Each One Wins

The two processors split their advantages along clear lines: compute density versus power efficiency. The Intel Core 5 223PQE wins in raw single-thread and lightly threaded workloads due to its 5.50 GHz boost clock, which is 500 MHz higher than the Core 7 150HL. For applications that rely on high per-core frequency, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity tools, the Core 5 223PQE is the stronger choice.

The Intel Core 7 150HL wins in heavily threaded workloads because it has 14 cores and 20 threads, a 6-core and 4-thread advantage over the Core 5 223PQE. This extra parallelism makes it suitable for rendering, encoding, compilation, and multitasking scenarios where scaling across many cores is the primary driver. The Core 7 150HL also has a dramatically lower TDP of 45 versus 125, giving it a decisive advantage in thermally constrained environments, small form factor builds, and systems where energy draw matters.

The Core 5 223PQE additionally wins on memory bandwidth, with a rated 89.6 GB/s compared to the Core 7 150HL's unlisted figure. The Core 5 223PQE also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Core 7 150HL is limited to PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes, favoring the former for high-bandwidth expansion such as current generation graphics cards or NVMe storage.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 223PQE is built on the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The Intel Core 7 150HL is built on the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename and the Core 7 (Raptor Lake-PS) generation. Both processors are fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel, so the underlying transistor dimensions are identical. The architectural divergence appears in their design goals: Bartlett Lake targets desktop performance with higher clocks and full PCIe Gen 5 support, while Raptor Lake-PS is oriented toward power-scaled desktop usage with a 45 TDP ceiling.

Cache configurations are identical on a per-core basis, with each core having 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, and both share 24 MB of L3. The difference in core count means the Core 7 150HL accesses the same L3 capacity across more cores, which can reduce per-core cache availability under heavy load. Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel operation, but only the Core 5 223PQE has a published memory bandwidth figure of 89.6 GB/s.

The integrated graphics differ: the Core 5 223PQE ships with UHD Graphics 770, while the Core 7 150HL ships with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, indicating a different iGPU tier. ECC memory support is present only on the Core 5 223PQE. The production status for both is Active, though their release dates are far apart: the Core 5 223PQE launched on 2026-03-08, while the Core 7 150HL launched on 2024-04-07.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 223PQE | Intel Core 7 150HL |

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

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 125 | 45 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-PS |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Core 7 (Raptor Lake-PS) |

| Architecture | Not listed | Raptor Lake |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2024-04-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $319 | Not listed |

The base clock difference is substantial: 4.00 GHz for the Core 5 223PQE versus 2.40 GHz for the Core 7 150HL. The boost clocks are closer, but the Core 5 223PQE still leads by 500 MHz. The TDP gap of 125 versus 45 is the largest specification divide, reflecting the Core 7 150HL's power-scaled positioning. The Core 5 223PQE is the only one of the two with ECC support, a published memory bandwidth figure, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. The Core 7 150HL counters with more cores, more threads, and a lower power envelope. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark scores for these two processors, and neither has individual benchmark results or nearest rivals listed. The analysis must therefore rely on the specification data provided. What the data shows is a clear tradeoff rather than a single dominant processor.

In single-thread potential, the Core 5 223PQE leads by virtue of its 5.50 GHz boost clock. That 500 MHz advantage over the Core 7 150HL's 5.00 GHz boost is meaningful for workloads that scale with frequency. The Core 5 223PQE also starts from a much higher base clock of 4.00 GHz, meaning even its sustained all-core frequency is likely closer to its boost ceiling than the Core 7 150HL's 2.40 GHz base. This makes the Core 5 223PQE the stronger candidate for responsiveness in bursty, frequency-sensitive tasks.

In multi-thread potential, the Core 7 150HL has a 75% core count advantage (14 versus 8) and a 25% thread count advantage (20 versus 16). For applications that scale well across cores, this additional parallelism can overcome the clock deficit. However, the Core 7 150HL's lower TDP of 45 may limit sustained all-core performance in unrestricted desktop environments, whereas the Core 5 223PQE's 125 TDP budget allows for more sustained power draw under load.

Memory bandwidth favors the Core 5 223PQE, which has a rated 89.6 GB/s. The Core 7 150HL has no listed memory bandwidth, so it cannot be directly compared on this metric. PCIe connectivity also favors the Core 5 223PQE, with Gen 5 and 16 lanes versus Gen 4 and 8 lanes. This is a major difference for systems with high-bandwidth peripherals.

Both processors share the same L3 cache capacity of 24 MB, but the Core 7 150HL distributes that across 14 cores, while the Core 5 223PQE distributes it across 8 cores. The effective per-core L3 share is higher on the Core 5 223PQE, which can benefit latency-sensitive workloads.

The Verdict

The data supports a split decision based on workload type and system constraints. The Intel Core 5 223PQE is the choice for users who prioritize high clock speeds, memory bandwidth, PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, and ECC memory support. Its 5.50 GHz boost clock and 4.00 GHz base clock make it suitable for frequency-sensitive desktop applications, and its 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth plus 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes give it a clear expansion and data throughput advantage. The $319 launch MSRP provides a fixed reference point for this processor, and its 125 TDP indicates a conventional desktop power envelope.

The Intel Core 7 150HL is the choice for users who need more cores and threads within a much lower power budget. Its 14 cores and 20 threads provide significantly more parallelism than the Core 5 223PQE, and its 45 TDP makes it suitable for power-conscious desktop systems or compact builds. The lower base clock of 2.40 GHz and boost clock of 5.00 GHz mean it will trail in single-thread performance, and its PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes plus lack of ECC support narrow its applicability for high-bandwidth or reliability-critical workloads.

Both processors share the same 10 nm Intel process, the same per-core cache hierarchy, and the same DDR4/DDR5 dual-channel memory support. The Core 5 223PQE leads in frequency, bandwidth, PCIe generation, and ECC capability. The Core 7 150HL leads in core and thread count, power efficiency, and integrated graphics tier with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU. Neither processor has unlocked multipliers, and both are listed as Active production parts. The Core 5 223PQE is the higher-clocked, more feature-complete desktop part; the Core 7 150HL is the higher-core-count, power-scaled alternative. The choice between them depends entirely on whether the workload demands more frequency or more cores within a tighter power envelope.