Intel Core 7 150U vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Core Ultra X9 also carries a higher base clock of 2.10 GHz compared to 1.80 GHz, though the Core 7 150U has a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 5.10 GHz.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H sits at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 7 150U sits at the 71st percentile. The Core Ultra X9 also has a much higher average benchmark score of 44,466 compared to 17,395 for the Core 7 150U.

Q: What process nodes do the two chips use?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U uses Intel's 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H uses Intel's 3 nm process node. Both are fabricated by Intel.

Q: Which processor offers faster memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H supports LPDDR5X memory with a rated bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s. The Intel Core 7 150U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but no bandwidth figure is recorded for it in the database.

Q: How large is the L3 cache on each chip?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra X9 also has larger per-core L1 (192 KB vs 80 KB) and L2 (3 MB vs 1.25 MB) caches.

Q: Which processor wins in every recorded head-to-head benchmark?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Core 7 150U records zero wins in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H. It wins every single benchmark in the comparison set, from Cinebench single-core tests to PassMark multi-thread workloads. The Core 7 150U has no recorded wins.

That does not mean the Core 7 150U is without purpose. Its 15 W TDP, compared to 25 W for the Core Ultra X9, positions it for thinner, lighter laptops where sustained load power is a constraint. The Core 7 150U uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, while the Core Ultra X9 uses Intel BGA 2540, so they target different chassis designs entirely.

The Core Ultra X9 dominates in multi-threaded production work. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18,911 versus 8,883 for the Core 7 150U shows a 53% advantage. PassMark multi-thread scores reinforce this: 36,811 versus 14,700.

For single-thread tasks, the gap narrows but remains clear. The Core Ultra X9 posts a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2200.5 against 1875.5 for the Core 7 150U, a 14.8% lead. PassMark single-thread results show a similar pattern: 4,280 versus 3,508.

The Core 7 150U's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz does not translate into a win in any single-thread benchmark. The Core Ultra X9's architecture and cache configuration outweigh that clock advantage in the recorded data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures. The Core 7 150U uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-U variant, while the Core Ultra X9 388H uses Panther Lake, specifically the Panther Lake-H variant. This is a generational and structural shift.

The Core 7 150U is built on a 10 nm Intel process. The Core Ultra X9 388H is built on a 3 nm Intel process. That node difference explains much of the performance gap, as the newer chip packs more transistors into the same area with lower switching losses.

Core counts differ sharply. The Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads, meaning it uses a hybrid configuration with some cores supporting simultaneous multithreading. The Core Ultra X9 388H has 16 cores and 16 threads, which means it ships without SMT, relying on physical cores alone.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 7 150U has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra X9 388H has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra X9 reduce latency for data that fits in the upper levels.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 7 150U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The Core Ultra X9 388H uses Arc B390. No benchmark scores for these iGPUs are recorded in the database, so the comparison is limited to their existence and architecture.

PCIe support differs. The Core 7 150U provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra X9 388H provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. This affects expansion options and possible bandwidth for discrete GPUs or NVMe storage.

Memory support is another architectural split. The Core 7 150U accepts DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The Core Ultra X9 388H accepts only LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but with a rated bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 150U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |

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

| Cores | 10 | 16 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base clock | 1.80 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Panther Lake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| 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) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 153.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 lanes (CPU) | Gen 5, 4 lanes (CPU) |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | Arc B390 |

| Release date | 2024-01-07 | 2026-01-04 |

| Part number | SRMYP | SA4QWQ9EK |

Both processors are mobile parts, active in production, use Intel as the foundry, and do not support ECC memory. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra X9 388H wins every recorded head-to-head test. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2200.5 against 1875.5, a 14.8% lead. The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 358 against 58, an 83.8% lead.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra X9 scores 2955 versus 1505.5, a 49.1% win. Single-core in R15 shows 309.5 versus 254, a 17.9% lead. R20 multi-core shows a 59.9% gap (13,101 versus 5,248), and R20 single-core shows a 60% gap (1,849 versus 740).

Cinebench R23 multi-core confirms the pattern: 18,911 versus 8,883 is a 53% advantage. The single-core gap in R23 is the smallest of all tests at 14.8%, indicating that the Core 7 150U's high boost clock helps in lightly threaded workloads but cannot overcome the architectural deficit.

PassMark tests show consistent wins across the board. Data compression: 361,763 versus 158,622, a 56.2% lead. Data encryption: 28,490 versus 10,025, a 64.8% lead. Extended instructions: 29,943 versus 8,748, a 70.8% lead. Floating point math: 112,550 versus 34,405, a 69.4% lead. Integer math: 90,882 versus 51,057, a 43.8% lead.

PassMark multi-thread: 36,811 versus 14,700, a 60.1% lead. Physics: 3,226 versus 1,012, a 68.6% lead. Random string sorting: 44,010 versus 18,269, a 58.5% lead. Single-thread: 4,280 versus 3,508, an 18% lead, matching the Cinebench single-core pattern of a smaller but definite gap.

The nearest rival data puts the Core Ultra X9 388H in a different performance class. Its average score of 44,466 places it 0.2% below the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D and 0.3% above the Intel Core i9-13950HX. The Core 7 150U's average of 17,395 places it 0.4% above the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 and 0.4% above the AMD Ryzen 3 210.

The Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is the clear performance choice. It wins all 17 recorded benchmarks, including every multi-thread test by at least 43.8% and every single-thread test by at least 14.8%. Its 88th percentile standing and average score of 44,466 put it in the company of desktop-class processors like the Intel Core i9-13950HX and AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D.

The Core 7 150U serves a different role. Its 15 W TDP and 71st percentile standing indicate a lower-power mobile part for everyday use. The data shows it is competitive with the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 and Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE, which are older or lower-tier desktop chips, but it cannot touch the Core Ultra X9 in any recorded workload.

For a user selecting between these two, the decision comes down to power envelope and chassis. The Core Ultra X9 requires a 25 W TDP and the BGA 2540 socket, which means a larger laptop with more cooling. The Core 7 150U fits the BGA 1744 socket and a 15 W design, which allows for thinner, lighter machines.

Benchmark data shows the Core Ultra X9 is the better processor for demanding tasks: video encoding, 3D rendering, data science, heavy multitasking. The Core 7 150U is the better fit for battery-sensitive designs where the performance deficit is acceptable.

The database records zero wins for the Core 7 150U. That is a decisive result. No benchmark in the comparison set favors the older chip, not even the single-core tests where its higher boost clock might have helped. The Core Ultra X9 388H is the superior processor in every measured dimension.