Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 44,253 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core 7 150U scores 8,883. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus finishes 79.9% ahead in this test.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus leads in every single-core benchmark. In Geekbench single-core, the Core 7 150U scores 1,857 while the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus does not have a Geekbench score in the database. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 2,439 versus 1,875.5 for the Core 7 150U, a 23.1% advantage.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth rating?

A: The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has a rated memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The Core 7 150U does not have a memory bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Q: How does the average benchmark score compare between the two?

A: The Core 7 150U has an average benchmark score of 17,395, placing it in the 71st percentile of all CPUs. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has an average score of 93,785, placing it in the 96th percentile.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus supports ECC memory. The Core 7 150U does not support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 7 150U and Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus come from different design families with distinct architectural foundations. The Core 7 150U is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, and uses a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, and is manufactured on a 3 nm process node at TSMC.

The transistor counts diverge sharply. The database records 17,800 million transistors for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, while no transistor count is listed for the Core 7 150U. Die size follows a similar pattern: the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has a die size of 243 mm², while the Core 7 150U has no recorded die size.

Cache hierarchy differs substantially. The Core 7 150U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus reflect its newer design and higher core count.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Core 7 150U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a rated bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus also includes ECC memory support, which the Core 7 150U lacks.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation and lane count. The Core 7 150U provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 7 150U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Core 7 150U has more execution units in its integrated GPU, though the architectures are different generations.

Socket and market positioning are entirely different. The Core 7 150U uses Intel BGA 1744, is a mobile segment part, and has a TDP of 15 watts. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851, is a desktop part, and has a TDP of 125 watts. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 7 150U does not.

The release dates place the Core 7 150U in January 2024 and the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus in March 2026. Both processors are listed as active production parts.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus winning all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Core 7 150U records zero wins. The margins, however, vary by workload type.

The largest advantages for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus appear in integer-heavy and encryption tasks. In PassMark data encryption, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 59,097 versus 10,025 for the Core 7 150U, an 83% lead. PassMark find prime numbers shows the widest gap: 615 versus 58, a 90.6% difference. These results indicate the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus handles algorithmic and security workloads with far greater throughput.

Multi-core rendering favors the desktop chip decisively. Cinebench R23 multi-core gives the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus a 79.9% lead over the Core 7 150U. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 78.5% gap, and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 77.4% gap. The 24-core, 24-thread configuration of the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scales effectively across all cores.

Single-core performance also favors the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, though by smaller margins. The single-core deltas range from 23.1% in Cinebench R23 to 30.8% in PassMark single-thread. The Core 7 150U boost clock of 5.40 GHz is close to the 5.50 GHz boost clock of the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, which explains why single-core differences are less extreme than multi-core differences.

The Core 7 150U does hold advantages in power efficiency and platform flexibility. Its 15 watt TDP makes it suitable for thin mobile designs, while the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus at 125 watts requires desktop cooling. The Core 7 150U also supports DDR4 memory, which can reduce platform costs in mobile systems, though the database does not include pricing for the Core 7 150U.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 150U | Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus |

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

| Cores | 10 | 24 |

| Threads | 12 | 24 |

| Base clock | 1.80 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 125 W |

| 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 | 36 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 lanes | Gen 5, 20 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die size | Not recorded | 243 mm² |

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

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $299 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 6,656 against 1,505.5 for the Core 7 150U, a 77.4% margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core widens the gap slightly to 78.5%, with scores of 24,461 and 5,248. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the largest multi-core delta at 79.9%, with 44,253 versus 8,883.

Single-core Cinebench results follow the same direction with smaller margins. Cinebench R15 single-core gives the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus 354 points versus 254 for the Core 7 150U, a 28.2% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 3,453 versus 740, a 78.6% lead, though the low absolute score for the Core 7 150U in this test is notable. Cinebench R23 single-core narrows to 2,439 versus 1,875.5, a 23.1% lead.

PassMark results reinforce the pattern. Data compression shows 804,322 for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus against 158,622 for the Core 7 150U, an 80.3% gap. Data encryption at 59,097 versus 10,025 represents an 83% lead. Extended instructions score 63,506 versus 8,748, a 86.2% gap. Find prime numbers shows the steepest difference at 90.6%: 615 versus 58.

Floating point math gives the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus a 229,491 score versus 34,405, an 85% lead. Integer math shows 175,986 versus 51,057, a 71% gap. The PassMark multithread test gives 68,574 versus 14,700, a 78.6% lead. Physics scores 4,064 versus 1,012, a 75.1% gap. Random string sorting shows 96,945 versus 18,269, an 81.2% margin.

PassMark single-thread tests record 5,068 for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and 3,508 for the Core 7 150U, a 30.8% lead. The Core 7 150U has no Geekbench multi-core or single-core scores in the head-to-head comparison, so those tests do not appear in the recorded head-to-head data.

The average benchmark score difference is substantial. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus averages 93,785 across all benchmarks, while the Core 7 150U averages 17,395. This places the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 71st percentile for the Core 7 150U.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy between these two processors. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with margins ranging from 23.1% in Cinebench R23 single-core to 90.6% in PassMark find prime numbers. The Core 7 150U records zero wins across all 17 tests.

The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the stronger choice for multi-threaded workloads. Its 24 cores, 24 threads, and 36 MB of L3 cache deliver Cinebench R23 multi-core performance that is 79.9% ahead of the Core 7 150U. The desktop platform with 125 watt TDP and PCIe Gen 5 support positions it for demanding desktop applications. The launch MSRP is $299.

The Core 7 150U serves a different purpose. Its 15 watt TDP and mobile BGA socket make it appropriate for laptops where power efficiency matters more than raw throughput. The support for DDR4 memory adds flexibility for existing memory ecosystems. Its single-core performance is respectable, with a 5.40 GHz boost clock that keeps it within 23.1% of the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus in Cinebench R23 single-core.

The database places the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the Intel Xeon 6520P at a 0% delta and the AMD EPYC 4564P at a 1.5% lower average score. The Core 7 150U sits in the 71st percentile, near the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 at a 0.4% higher average score and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE at a 0.5% lower average score.

The architectural gap is the deciding factor. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses a 3 nm process at TSMC, has 17,800 million transistors, and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The Core 7 150U uses a 10 nm process at Intel, has no recorded transistor count, and supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes. These differences translate directly into the benchmark results.

For desktop users who need maximum multi-thread throughput, data encryption performance, or large-scale integer math, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clear selection from the recorded data. For mobile users who need a 15 watt processor with a compact BGA socket and DDR4 compatibility, the Core 7 150U remains a functional option, though it trails the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus in every measured workload.