Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark data is unambiguous: Intel Core 7 251TE wins all 17 recorded comparisons. There is no test in the database where Intel Core 7 150U comes out ahead. That said, the scale of the victory varies dramatically by workload type, and that variance matters for understanding where each chip fits.

The 251TE delivers its most decisive advantages in multi-threaded and compute-heavy tasks. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 65.2% gap, the largest delta recorded between the two processors. PassMark integer math and floating point math follow closely, with the 251TE ahead by 59.4% and 59.8% respectively. Data compression, encryption, prime number finding, and random string sorting all fall in the 48.5% to 58.6% range favoring the 251TE. These are workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth, and the 251TE has the structural advantages to exploit them.

The 150U, by contrast, shows its best relative performance in single-threaded PassMark tests. The 251TE leads by only 1.7% in both PassMark single thread and PassMark singlethread, a narrow margin that places these two chips nearly on par for lightly threaded desktop responsiveness. Cinebench R15 single-core is the next closest result, with the 251TE ahead by 29.8%. So while the 150U loses every contest, its single-core showing is far more competitive than its multicore results.

The intermediate ground belongs to Cinebench R20 and R15 multicore, where the 251TE leads by 51% and 41.5% respectively. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 51.1% gap, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 47.9%. These results indicate that the 251TE's advantage is not confined to heavily parallel workloads; it also extends to moderately threaded and even single-threaded rendering tasks, though the PassMark single-thread results temper that conclusion.

For practical purposes, the 150U is a mobile-oriented processor that remains usable for everyday single-threaded tasks but falls far behind in content creation, compilation, scientific computing, and any workload that can use many cores. The 251TE is the clear choice for throughput-oriented desktop work.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the Intel 10 nm process node and the same L1 cache layout at 80 KB per core. Both use DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel support. Both have a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. Beyond those commonalities, the designs diverge substantially.

The 150U is built on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename. It has 10 cores and 12 threads, a base clock of 1.80 GHz, and a 15 W TDP. It uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and targets the mobile market segment. Its L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core and its L3 cache is 12 MB shared. The integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. PCIe support is Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. ECC memory is not supported. The release date is 2024-01-07 and the part number is SRMYP.

The 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, with the generation listed as Core 7 (Bartlett Lake). It has 24 cores and 32 threads, a base clock of 1.40 GHz, and a 45 W TDP. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 and targets the desktop market segment. Die size is 215 mm². L2 cache is identical in per-core allocation at 1.25 MB per core, but the L3 cache is three times larger at 36 MB shared. Memory bandwidth is rated at 89.6 GB/s. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. ECC memory is supported. The release date is 2025-01-12, the launch MSRP is $384, and the part number is SRQAXQ5ZG.

The core count difference is the dominant architectural factor. The 251TE has 14 additional cores and 20 additional threads. The larger L3 cache, triple the size, helps feed those cores. The 251TE also has a higher TDP ceiling, which allows sustained performance under load. The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 lanes provides more bandwidth for expansion devices. The 150U's lower TDP and BGA socket align with thin-and-light mobile designs, while the 251TE's socketed desktop format and ECC support point toward workstation or server-adjacent use.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single delta in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 multicore. The 251TE scores 25518 against the 150U's 8883, a 65.2% advantage. This is the clearest demonstration of the core count and cache difference. Cinebench R23 multicore is heavily parallel, and the 251TE's 24 cores versus 10 cores translates directly into a massive throughput lead.

PassMark floating point math shows the second largest gap at 59.8%. The 251TE scores 85607 versus 34405. PassMark integer math is close behind at 59.4%, with scores of 125739 and 51057. PassMark prime number finding shows a 58.6% delta, with 140 versus 58. These three results confirm that the 251TE's advantage extends to real-world compute patterns, not just synthetic render loops.

Data compression and encryption show deltas of 52.6% and 54.8% respectively. The 251TE scores 334399 in data compression versus 158622, and 22176 in data encryption versus 10025. Random string sorting shows a 53.9% gap, with 39643 versus 18269. These memory-intensive workloads benefit from both the larger core count and the larger shared L3 cache.

Cinebench R20 multicore shows a 51% delta with the 251TE at 10717 and the 150U at 5248. PassMark multithread also shows a 51% delta, with 30022 versus 14700. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 41.5% delta, with 2572 versus 1505.5. The consistency across different Cinebench versions reinforces the conclusion that rendering performance scales almost linearly with the architectural resources available.

Single-threaded results split into two groups. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 47.9% delta, with 3602 versus 1875.5. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 51.1% delta, with 1512 versus 740. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 29.8% delta, with 362 versus 254. These are substantial gaps. However, PassMark single thread shows only a 1.7% delta, with 3568 versus 3508. The discrepancy between Cinebench single-core and PassMark single-thread likely reflects differences in instruction mix and memory access patterns. The PassMark result suggests that for typical lightweight desktop tasks, the two processors perform nearly identically.

PassMark extended instructions shows a 48.5% delta, with 16974 versus 8748. PassMark physics shows a 47.8% delta, with 1938 versus 1012. These round out the dataset, confirming that the 251TE leads across every measured category.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a straightforward allocation of roles. The Intel Core 7 251TE is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. Its 88th percentile ranking among all CPUs, against the 150U's 71st percentile, places it clearly higher in overall performance. The average benchmark score of 41650 for the 251TE versus 17395 for the 150U reinforces this, though these averages mix different test suites and should be read as comparative rather than absolute.

Users who need multicore throughput, large L3 cache, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, or desktop socket compatibility should choose the 251TE. Its nearest rivals in the database include Intel Core Ultra 7 265H with a delta of 0.1%, Intel Core i7-14650HX with a delta of 0.2%, Intel Core i7-12850HX with a delta of -0.3%, and Intel Core i7-14700T with a delta of -0.6%. These are all processors of a similar class, and the 251TE sits comfortably among them.

The Intel Core 7 150U, despite losing every head-to-head comparison, retains a role. Its 15 W TDP and BGA 1744 socket target mobile platforms where power efficiency matters more than raw throughput. The 1.7% single-thread PassMark gap shows that for basic desktop responsiveness, the 150U is not far behind. Its nearest rivals include AMD Ryzen 5 4500 with a delta of 0.4%, AMD Ryzen 3 210 with a delta of 0.4%, AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE with a delta of -0.5%, and AMD Ryzen 5 4600G with a delta of -0.6%. The 150U is competitive within its mobile segment, but it is not a match for the 251TE in any measured category.

The data does not support any scenario where the 150U wins. The 251TE is the pick for desktop workstations, content creation, and any multithreaded workload. The 150U is the pick for mobile designs where its lower TDP and integrated Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units provide a balanced package, even if that balance comes at the cost of multicore performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How large is the L3 cache difference?

A: The 251TE has 36 MB shared L3 cache, while the 150U has 12 MB shared L3 cache. This is a threefold difference.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel memory bus support. The 251TE additionally has a rated memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and supports ECC memory, while the 150U does not support ECC.

Q: What is the largest benchmark gap between them?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the 251TE leads by 65.2% with a score of 25518 versus 8883.

Q: Is the 150U competitive in any benchmark?

A: The 150U is closest in PassMark single thread, where the 251TE leads by only 1.7% (3568 versus 3508). It still loses that test, but the margin is minimal.

Q: What are the socket and market segment differences?

A: The 150U uses Intel BGA 1744 and is in the mobile segment. The 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700 and is in the desktop segment.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 150U | Intel Core 7 251TE |

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

| Cores | 10 | 24 |

| Threads | 12 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | Not specified | 215 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB shared | 36 MB shared |

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

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

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $384 |

| Part Number | SRMYP | SRQAXQ5ZG |