Intel Core 7 150UL vs Intel Core 7 253PQE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, while the Intel Core 7 150UL reaches 5.00 GHz.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare between the two CPUs?

A: Both processors have 10 cores. The Core 7 253PQE supports 20 threads, whereas the Core 7 150UL supports 12 threads.

Q: Which CPU offers a larger L3 cache?

A: The Core 7 253PQE has 33 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 12 MB shared on the Core 7 150UL.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: The Core 7 253PQE supports ECC memory. The Core 7 150UL does not.

Q: What PCIe generation and lane count does each CPU provide?

A: The Core 7 253PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 7 150UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Core 7 253PQE has a TDP of 125 watts, while the Core 7 150UL has a TDP of 15 watts.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 7 150UL and Intel Core 7 253PQE diverge sharply in architecture despite sharing the same 10 nm process node from Intel. The 150UL is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS codename, while the 253PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename. This architectural split explains many of the measured differences in performance and platform capability.

The core configuration tells a clear story. Both chips have 10 cores, but the 253PQE enables 20 threads versus 12 threads on the 150UL. That thread advantage comes from simultaneous multithreading on more of the core complex, and it shows up directly in multi-threaded workloads. The cache hierarchy reinforces the gap. The 150UL provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The 253PQE also has 80 KB L1 per core but doubles L2 to 2 MB per core and raises shared L3 to 33 MB. A 21 MB difference in L3 is substantial for workloads that cycle through large data sets.

The platform features diverge as well. The 150UL uses Gen 4 PCIe with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the 253PQE steps up to Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only). Memory support remains DDR4 and DDR5 on both, and both use dual-channel memory buses. The 253PQE lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not recorded for the 150UL. ECC memory support is present only on the 253PQE. Integrated graphics differ: the 150UL carries Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the 253PQE uses UHD Graphics 770. Both fit the Intel Socket 1700 and belong to the desktop market segment, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The 150UL launched in April 2024, while the 253PQE has a release date of March 2026. The 253PQE carries a launch MSRP of $409. The production status is Active for both. The 253PQE has a part number of SA4QA; the 150UL part number is listed as unknown.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a one-sided outcome. The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins every recorded test, and the 150UL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. This is not a close contest. The 253PQE dominates in multi-threaded, single-threaded, and specialized instruction workloads.

The 253PQE is the clear choice for compute-heavy tasks. Its 20 threads, higher base clock of 3.50 GHz, and boost clock of 5.70 GHz give it a decisive edge in rendering, compilation, and any workload that scales with thread count. The Cinebench results confirm this: R15 multicore at 3163, R20 multicore at 13183, and R23 multicore at 31390. The 150UL, with 12 threads and a 1.70 GHz base clock, cannot compete in this space.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the 253PQE again leads. Its R15 single-core score is 446, R20 single-core is 1861, and R23 single-core is 4431. The PassMark single-thread score of 4389 reinforces this. The 150UL has no recorded single-thread scores, so the data gives the 253PQE an uncontested win.

Specialized workloads also fall to the 253PQE. PassMark data encryption scores 25515, extended instructions score 32390, and data compression scores 487335. Floating-point math reaches 105279, integer math 137795, and random string sorting 54222. The 253PQE also posts a PassMark physics score of 2970 and a multithread score of 41656. The 150UL has no entries in any of these categories.

The database position of the 253PQE underscores its standing. It sits in the 91st percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 55919. The 150UL sits at the 50th percentile with an average benchmark score of 0, reflecting the absence of recorded results. The 253PQE is the only option supported by measurements.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every measurable specification.

Clock speeds: the 150UL has a base clock of 1.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The 253PQE has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz.

Threads: the 150UL has 12 threads, the 253PQE has 20. Both have 10 cores.

Cache: L1 is identical at 80 KB per core. L2 differs: 1.25 MB per core on the 150UL versus 2 MB per core on the 253PQE. L3 differs: 12 MB shared versus 33 MB shared.

Power: TDP is 15 watts on the 150UL and 125 watts on the 253PQE.

Memory bandwidth: only the 253PQE has a recorded figure of 89.6 GB/s.

ECC memory: not supported on the 150UL, supported on the 253PQE.

PCIe: the 150UL uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), the 253PQE uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics: the 150UL has Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, the 253PQE has UHD Graphics 770.

Codename: Raptor Lake-PS versus Bartlett Lake.

Release date: April 2024 for the 150UL, March 2026 for the 253PQE.

Launch MSRP: not listed for the 150UL, $409 for the 253PQE.

Part number: unknown for the 150UL, SA4QA for the 253PQE.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark list in the database is empty, so direct comparisons must rely on the recorded scores for the 253PQE and the absence of scores for the 150UL. The 253PQE has 17 benchmark results covering Cinebench and PassMark suites. The 150UL has none.

The biggest wins for the 253PQE come in multi-threaded tests. Cinebench R23 multicore records a score of 31390, which is the highest Cinebench multicore result in its set. R20 multicore follows at 13183, and R15 multicore at 3163. These scores indicate strong scaling across its 20 threads.

Single-threaded results are equally decisive. Cinebench R23 single-core scores 4431, R20 single-core scores 1861, and R15 single-core scores 446. PassMark single-thread and singlethread entries both record 4389. The 253PQE delivers a consistently high single-thread result across different test generations.

PassMark specialty tests add further evidence. The data compression score of 487335 is the largest absolute number in the set. Integer math scores 137795, floating-point math 105279, and random string sorting 54222. Extended instructions score 32390 and data encryption 25515. The find prime numbers test scores 206, physics 2970, and multithread 41656.

The nearest rivals for the 253PQE provide context for its overall score. Its average benchmark score of 55919 sits 0.2% below the Intel Core i9-14900HX at 56004, 0.6% below the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 at 56273, 0.7% below the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470 at 56306, and 1.1% below the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX at 56555. The 253PQE is essentially level with these high-end parts, with all deltas under 1.2%.

The 150UL has no benchmark entries, no nearest rivals, and an average score of 0. The comparison is therefore not a matter of margin, it is a matter of data availability. The 253PQE holds every recorded performance marker.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear choice. The Intel Core 7 253PQE is the only processor in this comparison with recorded performance results, and those results place it in the 91st percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core 7 150UL has no benchmark scores, no nearest rivals, and an average score of 0. Any selection based on measured performance must favor the 253PQE.

The 253PQE delivers a 3.50 GHz base clock and 5.70 GHz boost clock, 20 threads, 33 MB of L3 cache, Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, and ECC memory support. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 31390 and single-core score of 4431 confirm strong performance across both parallel and latency-sensitive tasks. Its PassMark multithread score of 41656 and single-thread score of 4389 reinforce that pattern.

The 150UL offers lower power consumption at 15 watts TDP versus 125 watts, and its Iris Xe Graphics 96EU may suit lighter integrated graphics duties. But with no recorded scores, its performance position cannot be quantified in the database. The 253PQE also provides 20 threads versus 12, a 21 MB larger L3 cache, higher clocks, and a more capable PCIe implementation.

The 253PQE launch MSRP of $409 is the only listed price, and the 150UL has no MSRP on record. The 253PQE stands as the measured leader. The 150UL remains unmeasured and unranked in comparison. For any workload where benchmark results matter, the Core 7 253PQE is the processor with the evidence to back its selection.