Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus Comparison

Intel Core 7 150U is a 10-core, 12-thread mobile processor built on Intel's 10 nm Raptor Lake-U architecture, with a 1.80 GHz base clock and 5.40 GHz boost clock. Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is an 18-core, 18-thread desktop processor built on TSMC's 3 nm process under the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, with a 4.20 GHz base clock and 5.30 GHz boost clock. The benchmark data shows the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons, often by massive margins, while the Core 7 150U records zero wins. The Core 7 150U sits in the 71st percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 17,395, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus sits in the 93rd percentile with an average score of 66,159.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins every single recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is not about workload type but about performance class. The Core 7 150U has no wins in any of the 17 head-to-head tests, meaning it loses in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, in integer math, floating-point math, encryption, compression, and physics simulations. The data indicates the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is simply a higher-tier processor, and its wins are not concentrated in any one area: it dominates across the board.

For single-threaded tasks, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads by 25.3% in PassMark single-thread (4,698 vs. 3,508), which is the narrowest margin of any head-to-head test. This suggests the Core 7 150U is relatively closer in lightly threaded work but still loses. In multi-threaded work, the gap widens dramatically: Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 42,718 versus 8,883, a 79.2% lead. The Core 7 150U is a mobile part with a 15 TDP, designed for efficiency, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is a desktop part with a 125 TDP, designed for raw throughput.

The Core 7 150U does have integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics (N/A). This is the only workload-related advantage for the Core 7 150U, though no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database. For systems requiring a display output without a discrete GPU, the Core 7 150U is the only one of the two that can function without an add-in card.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The Core 7 150U uses Raptor Lake, specifically Raptor Lake-U, on Intel's 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses Arrow Lake Refresh, with the generation listed as Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake), and is manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 7 150U has no transistor count or die size recorded.

Core counts differ substantially: the Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The thread-to-core ratio indicates the Core 7 150U uses hyper-threading (12 threads on 10 cores), while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no hyper-threading (18 threads on 18 cores). Cache hierarchy also differs: the Core 7 150U has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3.

Memory support diverges: the Core 7 150U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports only DDR5 in dual-channel mode, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus also supports ECC memory, while the Core 7 150U does not. PCIe connectivity differs: the Core 7 150U offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

The sockets are incompatible: the Core 7 150U uses Intel BGA 1744 (mobile), while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses Intel Socket 1851 (desktop). The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Core 7 150U does not. Release dates also differ: the Core 7 150U launched on 2024-01-07, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus launched on 2026-03-10. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a launch MSRP of $184, while the Core 7 150U has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire head-to-head set is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 452 versus 58, an 87.2% lead. This test is highly sensitive to raw integer throughput and memory bandwidth, both of which favor the desktop part. The next largest margin is in PassMark extended instructions, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 42,880 versus 8,748, a 79.6% lead. This indicates a massive advantage in SIMD and vectorized workloads.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 42,718 versus 8,883, a 79.2% lead. This is the largest Cinebench margin and reflects the 18-core versus 10-core count, plus the 30 MB versus 12 MB L3 cache. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 70.7% lead (17,941 vs. 5,248), and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 65% lead (4,305 vs. 1,505.5). The single-core Cinebench results also favor the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus: R23 single-core is 6,030 versus 1,875.5 (68.9% lead), R20 single-core is 2,532 versus 740 (70.8% lead), and R15 single-core is 607 versus 254 (58.2% lead).

PassMark multi-thread shows a 70.7% lead for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus (50,146 vs. 14,700). PassMark physics shows a 68.2% lead (3,183 vs. 1,012). PassMark integer math shows a 58.5% lead (123,030 vs. 51,057), which is the smallest multi-threaded margin. PassMark floating-point math shows a 78.5% lead (159,824 vs. 34,405). PassMark data compression shows a 71.3% lead (553,155 vs. 158,622), and PassMark data encryption shows a 75.7% lead (41,292 vs. 10,025). PassMark random string sorting shows a 72.8% lead (67,209 vs. 18,269).

The narrowest overall margin is in PassMark single-thread, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads by 25.3% (4,698 vs. 3,508). This is the only head-to-head test where the gap is under 50%, indicating that the Core 7 150U's single-core boost clock of 5.40 GHz (versus 5.30 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus) helps close the gap, though the newer architecture of the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus still wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores, while the Intel Core 7 150U has 10 cores.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-threaded PassMark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 4,698, which is 25.3% higher than the Intel Core 7 150U's 3,508.

Q: Does the Intel Core 7 150U support ECC memory?

A: No, the Intel Core 7 150U does not support ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus does.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U has Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics (N/A).

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads by 87.2% (452 vs. 58).

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 Ultra 5 250KF Plus has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 150U | Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus |

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

| Cores | 10 | 18 |

| Threads | 12 | 18 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 15 | 125 |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | N/A |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2026-03-10 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $184 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins every recorded test, with margins ranging from 25.3% to 87.2%. The Core 7 150U records zero wins across all 17 head-to-head benchmarks. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus delivers a 79.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (42,718 vs. 8,883) and a 70.7% lead in PassMark multi-thread (50,146 vs. 14,700), confirming its dominance in heavily threaded workloads. Its 93rd percentile ranking versus the Core 7 150U's 71st percentile further separates the two in overall performance class.

The Core 7 150U is a mobile processor with a 15 TDP and integrated graphics, suited for systems where a discrete GPU is absent and power draw is a constraint. Its boost clock of 5.40 GHz is the only specification where it exceeds the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, yet it still loses single-threaded tests by 25.3% due to the newer 3 nm architecture of the desktop part. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is a desktop processor with a 125 TDP, no integrated graphics, an unlocked multiplier, and support for DDR5 and ECC memory, making it the clear choice for performance-focused desktop builds.

For workloads requiring integrated graphics, ECC memory, or a mobile form factor, the Core 7 150U is the only viable option of the two. For all other purposes, the data indicates the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the superior processor, with an average benchmark score of 66,159 versus 17,395, a 93rd percentile ranking, and wins in every single head-to-head test. The selection between these two is not a matter of workload tuning but of platform: mobile efficiency versus desktop performance.