Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core i5-1240U Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U records an average benchmark score of 17395, placing it at the 71st percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-1240U averages 16957, sitting at the 70th percentile. The Core 7 150U leads by roughly 2.6% in average score.

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core i5-1240U wins only one test, PassMark find prime numbers, with a score of 63 versus 58 for the Core 7 150U, a delta of -7.9% in favor of the i5.

Q: What is the single biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Core 7 150U scores 1505.5 against 1242 for the i5-1240U, a 21.2% advantage. The second-largest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, at 20.3% (1875.5 vs 1559).

Q: Do both chips share the same core count and memory support?

A: Yes. Both have 10 cores, 12 threads, dual-channel memory support, and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory. Both also use the same L1 cache size of 80 KB per core, L2 of 1.25 MB per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How do their integrated graphics differ?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U features Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The Intel Core i5-1240U uses Iris Xe with 80 execution units. The database does not record separate graphics benchmark scores, so this difference is structural rather than measured.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-1240U boosts to 4.40 GHz. The base clock of the Core 7 150U is listed as 1.80 GHz, while the i5-1240U has a base clock of 1100.00 MHz (1.10 GHz).

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 7 150U belongs to the Raptor Lake family, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, while the Intel Core i5-1240U is based on Alder Lake, with the Alder Lake-U codename. Both are built on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel as the foundry, but the architecture generation differs.

The Core 7 150U fits the Intel BGA 1744 socket, whereas the i5-1240U uses Intel BGA 1781. This means the two are not socket-compatible, so system designers cannot swap them in the same motherboard. The Core 7 150U lists PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only); the i5-1240U lists PCIe Gen 4 without a lane count in the database.

Both chips have identical core topology: 10 cores and 12 threads. The cache hierarchy matches exactly, with 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers (no overclocking).

The integrated graphics differ: the Core 7 150U carries Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the i5-1240U carries Iris Xe with 80 execution units. The database does not provide separate iGPU benchmark data, so the performance impact of those 16 extra EUs cannot be quantified here.

The power envelope also diverges. The Core 7 150U has a TDP of 15 W, while the i5-1240U has a TDP of 9 W. That 6 W difference suggests the Core 7 150U is designed for slightly thicker or better-cooled chassis, while the i5-1240U targets more power-sensitive designs.

Release timing differs as well: the Core 7 150U launched on January 7, 2024, while the i5-1240U launched on February 22, 2022. Both remain listed as Active in production status. The Core 7 150U has a recorded part number (SRMYP), while the i5-1240U does not list one.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear winner for most workloads: the Intel Core 7 150U. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, with double-digit advantages in several key metrics. For users who prioritize multi-core rendering, single-thread responsiveness, or encryption and compression tasks, the Core 7 150U is the stronger choice.

However, the i5-1240U is not without a niche. Its one victory in PassMark find prime numbers (63 vs 58, a 7.9% edge) suggests a specific algorithmic advantage in certain integer-heavy loops. Additionally, the i5-1240U draws 6 W less at TDP (9 W vs 15 W), which can matter for fanless designs or extreme battery-saving configurations. The database records no efficiency benchmarks, so the actual power consumption difference under load is not quantified, but the TDP gap is real.

For buyers who can tolerate a slightly higher power envelope, the Core 7 150U delivers meaningfully better performance across almost every recorded test. For those who need the absolute lowest power draw and can accept lower scores, the i5-1240U remains a viable option, especially given its one specialized win.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 150U | Intel Core i5-1240U |

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

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Alder Lake-U |

| Generation | Core 7 (Raptor Lake-U) | Core i5 (Alder Lake-U) |

| Base clock | 1.80 GHz | 1100.00 MHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 9 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 1781 |

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

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | Iris Xe 80EU |

| Release date | 2024-01-07 | 2022-02-22 |

| Part number | SRMYP | Not listed |

Identical fields: 10 cores, 12 threads, 10 nm process, Intel foundry, 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, 12 MB shared L3, DDR4/DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC, no unlocked multiplier, mobile market segment, Active production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 7 150U dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1505.5 versus 1242, a 21.2% lead. The R15 single-core test shows 254 against 226, a 12.4% advantage. Cinebench R20 shows smaller gaps: 5248 vs 5013 in multi-core (4.7%) and 740 vs 707 in single-core (4.7%). Cinebench R23 returns to double digits: multi-core 8883 vs 7902 (12.4%) and single-core 1875.5 vs 1559 (20.3%).

PassMark results follow the same pattern. Data compression: 158622 vs 143102, a 10.8% edge for the Core 7 150U. Data encryption: 10025 vs 8964, an 11.8% lead. Extended instructions: 8748 vs 7932, a 10.3% difference. Floating point math: 34405 vs 29726, a 15.7% gap. Integer math: 51057 vs 44968, a 13.5% advantage. Multithread: 14700 vs 13406, a 9.7% lead. Physics: 1012 vs 981, a modest 3.2% edge. Random string sorting: 18269 vs 15996, a 14.2% difference. Single-thread: 3508 vs 3239, an 8.3% lead in both the passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread entries.

The sole i5-1240U win is PassMark find prime numbers: 63 vs 58, a -7.9% delta from the Core 7 150U perspective. No Geekbench multi-core or single-core scores are recorded for the i5-1240U, so the comparison cannot include those tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 150U wins across rendering, general computation, and memory-intensive tasks. Its strongest margins appear in Cinebench R15 multi-core (21.2%), Cinebench R23 single-core (20.3%), and floating point math (15.7%). For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, spreadsheet crunching, or any workload that stresses the CPU cores, the data consistently favors the Core 7 150U.

The Intel Core i5-1240U wins exactly one test: PassMark find prime numbers. This test measures a specific prime-number search algorithm, and the i5-1240U scores 63 versus 58, a 7.9% advantage. This suggests a slight edge in certain integer loops that do not scale with the Core 7 150U's higher boost clock. For workloads that resemble prime-number sieving or similar modular arithmetic, the i5-1240U may be marginally better.

The i5-1240U also has a structural advantage in power consumption, with a 9 W TDP versus 15 W for the Core 7 150U. The database does not include battery-life or efficiency benchmarks, so this cannot be quantified further, but for ultra-portable devices where every watt counts, the i5-1240U may be preferable despite its lower performance.