Intel Core 7 150HL vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive performance gap between the Intel Core 7 150HL and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus holds the advantage in every single benchmark category where data exists, with no recorded wins for the Core 7 150HL. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus achieves a 95th percentile ranking across all CPUs, while the Core 7 150HL sits at the 50th percentile, placing it squarely in the middle of the database's performance distribution.

In multi-core workloads, the gap is substantial. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus scores 39,684 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 21,198 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 5,981 in Cinebench R15 multi-core. These figures place it in direct competition with desktop flagship processors from the previous generation. The nearest rival data confirms this positioning: the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus trails the Intel Core i9-14900KF by just 0.3%, sits 0.6% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900K, and is 1.4% behind the Intel Xeon w5-2565X. Against the AMD EPYC 7413, it leads by 0.6%. These margins are remarkably tight, indicating that the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus delivers performance comparable to high-end desktop parts despite its mobile market segment designation.

Single-core results tell a similar story. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus posts a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,356, a Cinebench R20 single-core score of 2,992, and a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 340. The PassMark single-thread score of 4,951 further reinforces the processor's strong per-core efficiency, which is notable given the high core count. The Core 7 150HL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so direct numerical comparison is impossible, but the percentile gap between the two parts is clear: 95th versus 50th.

The PassMark suite provides additional detail on the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus's capabilities. Its multithread score reaches 59,439, with integer math at 164,839 and floating-point math at 201,773. Data compression work completes at 658,724, while encryption scores 50,008. Extended instruction performance hits 51,290, and random string sorting finishes at 80,327. Prime number finding scores 519, and physics calculations reach 3,387. These figures demonstrate balanced performance across both integer-heavy and floating-point-heavy workloads, with particularly strong results in data compression and extended instruction execution.

The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is 79,574. The nearest rivals cluster tightly around this figure: the Intel Core i9-14900KF averages 79,371, the Intel Core i9-14900K averages 79,097, the AMD EPYC 7413 averages 80,041, and the Intel Xeon w5-2565X averages 80,671. This clustering indicates that the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus performs at the same tier as these established desktop and server processors, making its positioning as a mobile part particularly noteworthy.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear conclusion: the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the superior processor by every measurable metric in the database. Its 95th percentile ranking versus the Core 7 150HL's 50th percentile ranking represents a massive performance chasm. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus delivers performance that matches or exceeds several flagship desktop processors, including the Intel Core i9-14900K and Intel Core i9-14900KF, while the Core 7 150HL has no recorded benchmark scores to compare.

The Core 7 150HL is a desktop processor with 14 cores and 20 threads, built on the Raptor Lake architecture with a 10 nm process node. It targets the desktop socket 1700 platform with a 45 W TDP. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a mobile processor with 24 cores and 24 threads, built on the Arrow Lake-HX architecture with a 3 nm process node from TSMC, featuring a 55 W TDP. The combination of more cores, a newer and denser process node, and higher clock speeds gives the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus a structural advantage that the benchmark data confirms.

For workloads requiring maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the only reasonable choice based on the recorded data. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 places it firmly in desktop flagship territory. For users constrained to the LGA 1700 platform, the Core 7 150HL remains an option, but the database contains no performance measurements for it, meaning its actual capabilities cannot be verified against the Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus compare to the Intel Core i9-14900K?

A: The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 79,574, which is 0.6% higher than the Intel Core i9-14900K's average score of 79,097.

Q: What is the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus's percentile ranking?

A: The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus ranks in the 95th percentile across all CPUs in the database.

Q: Does the Core 7 150HL have any benchmark scores in the database?

A: No. The Core 7 150HL has no recorded benchmark scores and an average benchmark score of 0.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 7 150HL has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus?

A: The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported on the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The Core 7 150HL does not support ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Intel Core 7 150HL features 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus features 24 cores and 24 threads. Base clock speeds are 2.40 GHz for the Core 7 150HL and 2.70 GHz for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Boost clocks reach 5.00 GHz on the Core 7 150HL and 5.50 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Thermal design power differs by 10 W: the Core 7 150HL is rated at 45 W, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is rated at 55 W. The socket platforms are entirely different. The Core 7 150HL uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses Intel BGA 2114, a mobile soldered package. The Core 7 150HL is classified as a desktop market segment part, whereas the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is classified as mobile.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 7 150HL supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the Core 7 150HL. ECC memory is supported on the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus but not on the Core 7 150HL.

PCIe capabilities differ significantly. The Core 7 150HL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 7 150HL does not. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus lists a part number of SADSS, while the Core 7 150HL lists its part number as unknown. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP. Release dates also differ, with the Core 7 150HL released in April 2024 and the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus released in March 2026.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these processors is fundamental. The Intel Core 7 150HL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename as part of the Core Ultra Series 2, built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC. The foundry shift from Intel to TSMC and the process node shrink from 10 nm to 3 nm represent a major generational change.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus lists 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. No transistor count or die size is recorded for the Core 7 150HL. Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core 7 150HL has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus reflect its more modern core design.

Integrated graphics differ between the two parts. The Core 7 150HL uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. Despite having fewer execution units, the Arc graphics architecture on the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus represents a newer GPU generation. The Core 7 150HL is part of the Core 7 generation under Raptor Lake-PS, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is part of the Ultra 9 generation under Arrow Lake-HX.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data provides no scenarios where the Intel Core 7 150HL outperforms the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, because no benchmark scores are recorded for the Core 7 150HL. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins every measured category by default, and its 95th percentile ranking indicates it is among the top 5% of all processors in the database.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is positioned for heavy multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 and PassMark multithread score of 59,439 indicate strong performance in rendering, data compression, and scientific computing. The nearest rival comparisons reinforce this: it trades blows with the Intel Core i9-14900KF, Intel Core i9-14900K, AMD EPYC 7413, and Intel Xeon w5-2565X, all of which are high-end desktop or server processors. The 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth and Gen 5 PCIe support with 20 lanes make it suitable for memory-intensive and I/O-heavy applications. ECC memory support adds reliability for workstation-style workloads.

The Core 7 150HL's advantages are more limited and must be inferred from its specifications rather than benchmark results. It uses the desktop LGA 1700 socket, which allows for conventional desktop motherboard compatibility. Its 45 W TDP is lower than the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus's 55 W TDP, indicating lower power draw. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering flexibility in memory selection. Its Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units has more execution units than the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus's 64 EU Arc Xe-LPG graphics, though architectural differences prevent direct comparison of graphics capability. The Core 7 150HL's 14 cores and 20 threads, while fewer than the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus's 24 cores and 24 threads, still provide substantial multi-threading capability for a desktop part. However, with no recorded benchmark scores, the Core 7 150HL's actual performance cannot be validated against any competitor in the database.