Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core i7-1255U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1255U and Intel Core 7 150U are both 10-core, 12-thread mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops. The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Core 7 150U wins every single head-to-head comparison, taking all 17 tested workloads. The Core i7-1255U, despite its older Alder Lake architecture, holds its own in raw multi-threaded throughput, but the Core 7 150U consistently delivers higher performance across Cinebench and Passmark suites. For users who prioritize maximum compute performance in a 15 W envelope, the Core 7 150U is the clear choice. The Core i7-1255U remains a viable option only if availability or platform considerations favor the older part, as its performance deficit is uniform but modest in several workloads.

The Verdict

The data shows the Intel Core 7 150U as the definitive winner, outperforming the Intel Core i7-1255U in 17 out of 17 benchmark comparisons. Its most significant advantages appear in single-threaded and physics-based workloads, where the newer Raptor Lake architecture and higher boost clock provide a substantial edge. For example, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 7 150U scores 1875.5 versus 1647 for the Core i7-1255U, a 12.2% lead. Similarly, in Passmark physics, the Core 7 150U achieves 1012 versus 789, a 22% advantage. These results indicate that the Core 7 150U is better suited for tasks that rely on high-frequency single-core performance, such as everyday application responsiveness and lightly-threaded productivity software.

However, the Core i7-1255U is not a poor performer; its average benchmark score of 17656 is nearly identical to the Core 7 150U's 17395, placing both in the 71st percentile of all CPUs. The Core i7-1255U's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-13100F with a deltaPct of 0, showing that it competes with desktop-class parts in aggregate performance. The Core 7 150U's nearest rivals are AMD Ryzen 5 4500 and Ryzen 3 210, with deltas of 0.4% and 0.4% respectively, indicating it sits in a similar performance tier. For a buyer choosing between these two specific mobile chips, the Core 7 150U is the superior pick in every measured metric. The only reason to select the Core i7-1255U would be if the system design, BIOS support, or price difference (not assessed here) makes it the only available option, but from a pure performance standpoint, the Core 7 150U is unequivocally faster.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a common foundation but differ in their core microarchitecture generation. The Intel Core i7-1255U is built on Alder Lake (codename Alder Lake-U), while the Intel Core 7 150U uses Raptor Lake (codename Raptor Lake-U). Both are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node, and both have the same core configuration: 10 cores and 12 threads. This implies a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficiency cores, though the exact core counts are not specified in the data. The cache hierarchy is identical, with 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

The most impactful architectural difference is the boost clock. The Core i7-1255U boosts up to 4.70 GHz, while the Core 7 150U reaches 5.40 GHz. That 0.7 GHz advantage directly explains the Core 7 150U's superior single-threaded scores. The base clocks also differ slightly: 1700 MHz for the Core i7-1255U versus 1800 MHz for the Core 7 150U. Both processors have a 15 W TDP, which is standard for ultraportable designs. The integrated graphics are similar, with the Core i7-1255U featuring Iris Xe 96EU and the Core 7 150U featuring Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, indicating the same execution unit count. The PCIe configuration diverges: the Core i7-1255U supports Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 150U supports Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), a notable difference for bandwidth-hungry peripherals.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core 7 150U wins every benchmark in the comparison, but the margin varies significantly across workload types. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core 7 150U scores 1505.5 versus 1387 for the Core i7-1255U, a 7.9% lead. The gap widens in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Core 7 150U scores 5248 versus 4635, an 11.7% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the lead narrows to 6.7%, with scores of 8883 and 8285 respectively. This pattern suggests that the Core 7 150U's advantage is more pronounced in shorter, bursty multi-threaded workloads, but it still maintains a clear edge in sustained rendering.

Single-threaded performance is where the Core 7 150U shines brightest. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 254 versus 237.5, a 6.5% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the gap expands to 11.6% (740 versus 654). The largest single-threaded delta is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core 7 150U leads by 12.2% (1875.5 versus 1647). This is consistent with the higher 5.40 GHz boost clock, which provides a substantial frequency advantage over the 4.70 GHz Core i7-1255U.

In Passmark tests, the Core 7 150U shows its biggest wins in physics and prime number finding. Passmark physics scores 1012 for the Core 7 150U versus 789 for the Core i7-1255U, a 22% difference. Passmark find prime numbers shows a 31% advantage (58 versus 40). These results indicate that the Core 7 150U has a significant edge in integer-heavy and floating-point-heavy computational tasks. In Passmark integer math, the lead is 5% (51057 versus 48498), while in floating-point math it is 5.2% (34405 versus 32618). The Core 7 150U also leads in data compression by 7.1% (158622 versus 147320) and data encryption by 7.6% (10025 versus 9262). In Passmark multi-thread, the Core 7 150U scores 14700 versus 13234, a 10% advantage. The single-thread Passmark score is 3508 versus 3192, a 9% lead. Across all 17 benchmarks, the Core 7 150U never loses, and its smallest margin is 5% in Passmark integer math.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | Intel Core i7-1255U | Intel Core 7 150U |

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

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Raptor Lake |

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

| Generation | Core i7 (Alder Lake-U) | Core 7 (Raptor Lake-U) |

| Base Clock | 1700.00 MHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe 96EU | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU |

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

| Part Number | SRLFP | SRMYP |

Both processors share the same 10 nm process node, 10 cores, 12 threads, 15 W TDP, Intel BGA 1744 socket, 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, 12 MB L3 cache, DDR4/DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, and lack of ECC support. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 7 150U has a higher base and boost clock, but the Core i7-1255U offers more PCIe lanes (20 versus 8), which could matter for external GPU or NVMe expansion. The integrated GPU names differ slightly, but both are 96EU parts. The release date shows the Core 7 150U is newer by nearly two years.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U is faster in every multi-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 8883 versus 8285 for the Core i7-1255U, a 6.7% lead. In Passmark multi-thread, it scores 14700 versus 13234, a 10% advantage.

Q: Is the Core 7 150U significantly better for single-threaded tasks?

A: Yes. The largest single-threaded gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core 7 150U leads by 12.2% (1875.5 versus 1647). The Passmark single-thread score shows a 9% advantage (3508 versus 3192).

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 10 cores and 12 threads. They also share the same cache configuration: 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest delta is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the Core 7 150U scores 58 versus 40 for the Core i7-1255U, a 31% advantage. The second-largest is in Passmark physics, with a 22% lead (1012 versus 789).

Q: Are there any advantages to the Core i7-1255U?

A: The Core i7-1255U supports 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only), compared to 8 lanes for the Core 7 150U. This could provide more bandwidth for expansion devices, but it loses every performance benchmark.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-1255U boosts to 4.70 GHz. The base clock is also higher on the Core 7 150U (1.80 GHz versus 1700 MHz).