Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Intel Core 7 150U and Intel Core Ultra 5 338H are both active mobile processors from Intel, but they occupy different tiers within the 2024 to 2026 release window. The Core 7 150U, released in January 2024, is built on the older Raptor Lake architecture, while the Core Ultra 5 338H, released in January 2026, uses the newer Panther Lake architecture. The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap between the two, with the Core Ultra 5 338H winning every single head-to-head test in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 338H dominates the Core 7 150U across all 17 recorded benchmark comparisons. The largest margin appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 5 338H scores 304 against 58, a delta of -80.9% for the Core 7 150U. This indicates a substantial advantage in integer-heavy, single-threaded workloads that rely on rapid prime number calculations.

Cinebench results reinforce this pattern. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core Ultra 5 338H scores 16331 versus 8883, a -45.6% delta. The single-core R23 test shows a smaller but still significant gap: 2044 versus 1875.5, a -8.2% delta. The Core Ultra 5 338H also wins Cinebench R20 multicore with 10213 against 5248 (-48.6%) and R20 single-core with 1441 against 740 (-48.6%). Cinebench R15 multicore shows 2504 versus 1505.5 (-39.9%), while R15 single-core shows 305 versus 254 (-16.7%).

PassMark integer math favors the Core Ultra 5 338H by 64934 to 51057, a -21.4% delta. Floating point math shows a larger gap: 84067 versus 34405, a -59.1% delta. Extended instructions, which test SIMD and cryptographic workloads, favor the Core Ultra 5 338H by 23906 to 8748, a -63.4% delta. Data compression scores are 276539 versus 158622 (-42.6%), and data encryption scores are 21367 versus 10025 (-53.1%). Random string sorting shows 34082 versus 18269 (-46.4%). Physics simulation in PassMark shows 2697 versus 1012 (-62.5%). Multithreaded PassMark scores are 28717 versus 14700 (-48.8%). Single-thread PassMark scores are 4180 versus 3508 (-16.1%).

The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 338H is 33989, compared to 17395 for the Core 7 150U. The Core Ultra 5 338H sits at the 84th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Core 7 150U sits at the 71st percentile. The Core Ultra 5 338H's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H (avg score 34083, delta -0.3%), the Intel Core i7-12800HX (33875, delta 0.3%), the Intel Xeon 6353P (33844, delta 0.4%), and the AMD EPYC 4244P (34220, delta -0.7%). The Core 7 150U's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 (17333, delta 0.4%), the AMD Ryzen 3 210 (17321, delta 0.4%), the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE (17482, delta -0.5%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G (17507, delta -0.6%). These rival deltas are all within 1%, indicating that each processor is closely matched to its immediate competitors, but the two CPUs themselves are far apart in absolute performance.

Architecture Differences

The architecture gap explains the performance disparity. The Core 7 150U uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, on a 10 nm process node. The Core Ultra 5 338H uses Panther Lake, the Panther Lake-H codename, on a 3 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the process shrink from 10 nm to 3 nm delivers significantly better transistor density and power efficiency.

Core counts differ: the Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The Core Ultra 5 338H has no hyperthreading benefit per core, but its additional physical cores contribute to its multicore lead. Base clocks are close, with the Core 7 150U at 1.80 GHz and the Core Ultra 5 338H at 1.90 GHz. Boost clocks favor the Core 7 150U at 5.40 GHz versus 4.70 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 338H, yet the Core Ultra 5 338H still wins single-core tests, indicating that the newer architecture delivers more instructions per clock despite a lower peak frequency.

Cache allocations also differ sharply. The Core 7 150U provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 338H provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 5 338H improve data locality and reduce memory latency, especially in workloads that repeatedly access the same working set.

Memory support differs. The Core 7 150U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The Core Ultra 5 338H supports only LPDDR5X memory over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The Core 7 150U has no memory bandwidth figure recorded in the database. PCIe support also differs: the Core 7 150U uses Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 338H uses Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 7 150U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the Core Ultra 5 338H uses Arc B370 graphics.

Socket compatibility is not shared. The Core 7 150U uses Intel BGA 1744, and the Core Ultra 5 338H uses Intel BGA 2540. Thermal design power differs, with the Core 7 150U rated at 15 W and the Core Ultra 5 338H rated at 25 W. The higher TDP on the Core Ultra 5 338H allows for sustained performance under load, while the Core 7 150U targets lower-power scenarios. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Core Ultra 5 338H belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3, while the Core 7 150U has no series designation. The part numbers are SRMYP for the Core 7 150U and SA4REQ9EW for the Core Ultra 5 338H. Both are marked as active production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the database?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core 7 150U has zero wins in the database.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The PassMark find prime numbers test shows the largest gap. The Core Ultra 5 338H scores 304, and the Core 7 150U scores 58, a delta of -80.9% for the Core 7 150U.

Q: Does the Core 7 150U have a higher boost clock?

A: Yes, the Core 7 150U boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 338H boosts to 4.70 GHz. Despite the lower boost clock, the Core Ultra 5 338H wins single-core tests, such as Cinebench R23 single-core with 2044 versus 1875.5.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: The Core Ultra 5 338H has larger caches at every level: 192 KB L1 per core versus 80 KB, 2.5 MB L2 per core versus 1.25 MB, and 18 MB shared L3 versus 12 MB.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The Core 7 150U supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 338H supports only LPDDR5X, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Core 7 150U has an average score of 17395, with its nearest rival being the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G at 17507 (delta -0.6%). The Core Ultra 5 338H has an average score of 33989, with its nearest rival being the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H at 34083 (delta -0.3%).

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the stronger processor in every measured benchmark. Its average benchmark score of 33989 is roughly double the Core 7 150U's 17395. The Core Ultra 5 338H is placed at the 84th percentile of all CPUs, versus the 71st percentile for the Core 7 150U. The nearest rival data places each processor in a different performance class: the Core 7 150U competes with AMD Ryzen 4000-series desktop chips, while the Core Ultra 5 338H competes with Intel Core Ultra 7 and Core i7-12800HX parts.

The architecture differences support this outcome. The Core Ultra 5 338H uses a 3 nm process node versus 10 nm for the Core 7 150U, has 12 cores versus 10, has larger caches at every level, and supports faster LPDDR5X memory with a recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The Core 7 150U retains advantages in boost clock (5.40 GHz versus 4.70 GHz) and PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes versus Gen 5 with 4 lanes, but these do not translate into benchmark wins.

The Core Ultra 5 338H also has a higher TDP at 25 W versus 15 W, which reflects its positioning as a higher-performance part. The Core 7 150U is suited for systems that prioritize lower power consumption, while the Core Ultra 5 338H is suited for workloads that benefit from higher multicore throughput, larger caches, and newer architecture features. The benchmark data is unambiguous: for compute-intensive tasks, the Core Ultra 5 338H is the superior choice, while the Core 7 150U is the lower-power alternative.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors, based on recorded data:

• Cores: 10 (Core 7 150U) versus 12 (Core Ultra 5 338H)
• Threads: 12 (both), no difference
• Base clock: 1.80 GHz versus 1.90 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.40 GHz versus 4.70 GHz
• TDP: 15 W versus 25 W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1744 versus Intel BGA 2540
• Architecture: Raptor Lake versus Panther Lake
• Codename: Raptor Lake-U versus Panther Lake
• Generation: Core 7 (Raptor Lake-U) versus Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H)
• Process node: 10 nm versus 3 nm
• L1 cache: 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core
• L2 cache: 1.25 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core
• L3 cache: 12 MB shared versus 18 MB shared
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 versus LPDDR5X
• Memory bandwidth: not recorded versus 136.5 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 4, 8 lanes versus Gen 5, 4 lanes
• Integrated graphics: Iris Xe Graphics 96EU versus Arc B370
• Release date: 2024-01-07 versus 2026-01-04
• Part number: SRMYP versus SA4REQ9EW

Fields that are identical include manufacturer (Intel), foundry (Intel), dual-channel memory bus, no ECC memory support, mobile market segment, active production status, locked multiplier, and no launch MSRP recorded for either part.