Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core 7 253PQE Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 7 253PQE is the clear performance leader in every recorded benchmark. The database shows 17 wins for the 253PQE and zero wins for the Intel Core 7 150U. The 253PQE sits at the 91st percentile among all CPUs, while the 150U sits at the 71st percentile. The average benchmark score of 55919 for the 253PQE is more than triple the 150U's 17395.

The 150U remains the appropriate choice for low-power mobile systems. It runs at a 15 W TDP, uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, and is classified under the Mobile market segment. The 253PQE targets desktop systems with a 125 W TDP, Intel Socket 1700, and a Desktop market segment. Anyone building a desktop machine should choose the 253PQE without hesitation, while the 150U fits thin-and-light laptops where power draw matters more than raw throughput.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 10 nm process node and Intel foundry, but their underlying designs diverge significantly. The 150U uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, while the 253PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename with no architecture field recorded. Both chips feature 10 cores, but the 253PQE doubles the thread count to 20 threads compared to the 150U's 12 threads.

Cache configurations differ in both L2 and L3 capacity. The 150U provides 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The 253PQE offers 2 MB of L2 per core and 33 MB of shared L3. L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core. The larger cache hierarchy on the 253PQE contributes to its substantial performance advantage in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support is similar on the surface: both accept DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The 253PQE adds a recorded memory bandwidth figure of 89.6 GB/s, while the 150U has no bandwidth figure listed. ECC memory support separates the two, with the 253PQE supporting ECC and the 150U lacking it. PCIe connectivity also differs: the 253PQE uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the 150U uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 150U carries Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the 253PQE uses UHD Graphics 770. Neither part unlocks its multiplier. The 150U released on 2024-01-07, while the 253PQE launched later on 2026-03-08 with a recorded launch MSRP of $409.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The 253PQE dominates every single benchmark category, with the smallest margin appearing in single-threaded PassMark tests. In passmark_single_thread, the 253PQE scores 4389 against the 150U's 3508, a 20.1% advantage. The same margin appears in the duplicate passmark_singlethread entry.

Cinebench results show the largest gaps in multi-core workloads. The cinebench_r23_multicore test records 31390 for the 253PQE versus 8883 for the 150U, a 71.7% deficit for the 150U. The r20_multicore test shows a 60.2% gap, with scores of 13183 and 5248 respectively. The r15_multicore test records 3163 versus 1505.5, a 52.4% difference.

Single-core Cinebench results also favor the 253PQE heavily. The r23_singlecore test shows 4431 against 1875.5, a 57.7% gap. The r20_singlecore test records 1861 versus 740, a 60.2% gap. The r15_singlecore test shows 446 versus 254, a 43% difference.

PassMark workloads reinforce the pattern. The extended_instructions test shows the largest relative gap at 73%, with scores of 32390 and 8748. The find_prime_numbers test shows a 71.8% gap, scoring 206 versus 58. Data compression results show 487335 versus 158622, a 67.5% gap. Floating point math scores 105279 versus 34405, a 67.3% gap. Random string sorting records 54222 versus 18269, a 66.3% gap. Physics tests score 2970 versus 1012, a 65.9% gap. The multithread test shows 41656 versus 14700, a 64.7% gap. Integer math scores 137795 versus 51057, a 62.9% gap. Data encryption records 25515 versus 10025, a 60.7% gap.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has 20 threads, while the Intel Core 7 150U has 12 threads. Both have 10 cores.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the 253PQE?

A: The 253PQE has 33 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 12 MB on the 150U. The L2 cache is also larger at 2 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core.

Q: Do both processors support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The 253PQE additionally supports ECC memory and has a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: What is the biggest benchmark gap between the two?

A: The largest gap appears in the passmark_extended_instructions test, where the 253PQE scores 32390 against the 150U's 8748, a 73% deficit for the 150U.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The 253PQE boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the 150U boosts to 5.40 GHz. The base clocks are 3.50 GHz and 1.80 GHz respectively.

Q: Are these processors aimed at different market segments?

A: Yes. The 150U is a Mobile segment part with a 15 W TDP and Intel BGA 1744 socket. The 253PQE is a Desktop segment part with a 125 W TDP and Intel Socket 1700.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins every recorded benchmark category, so the use-case split is not about performance niches but about platform requirements. The 253PQE suits desktop builds where the 125 W TDP, Socket 1700, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and ECC memory support are available. Its 91st percentile ranking places it alongside high-end parts like the Intel Core i9-14900HX, which scores 56004 and trails the 253PQE by only 0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 at 56273, which leads by 0.6%.

The Intel Core 7 150U serves mobile systems that require the 15 W TDP and the compact Intel BGA 1744 package. Its 71st percentile ranking places it near parts like the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 at 17333, which trails by 0.4%, and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE at 17482, which leads by 0.5%. The 150U's Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units provides integrated graphics capability for thin laptops, while the 253PQE's UHD Graphics 770 covers desktop display output.

For workloads that stress single-thread performance, the 253PQE still holds a 20.1% lead in PassMark single-thread tests, despite the 150U's higher boost clock relative to its power envelope. The 253PQE's advantage grows to between 52.4% and 71.7% in multi-core Cinebench tests, confirming that the extra threads, larger caches, and higher power budget translate directly into throughput gains.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 150U | Intel Core 7 253PQE |

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

| Cores | 10 | 10 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Not recorded |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 33 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

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

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | Active |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2026-03-08 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $409 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | SRMYP | SA4QA |