Intel Core 7 240H vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

The Intel Core 7 240H and Intel Core 7 251TE are two processors that, despite sharing a brand name and a 45 W TDP, occupy very different positions in the market. The 240H is a mobile part built for laptops, while the 251TE is a desktop processor. The benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the 240H does hold its own in one specific area. This analysis breaks down their recorded scores, architectural differences, and the workloads where each chip has an advantage.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are remarkably one-sided. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins 15 of the 17 recorded tests. The only exceptions are the two PassMark single-thread tests, where the 240H takes the win. This is a significant finding because it shows that the 240H's higher base clock of 2.50 GHz, compared to the 251TE's 1.40 GHz, does not translate into a universal single-core advantage. In the Cinebench single-core tests, the 251TE is actually far ahead.

The largest margin of victory for the 251TE comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3602 against the 240H's 1719. That is a delta of -52.3 percent, meaning the 240H scores roughly half of the 251TE's result. This is a massive gap. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core (362 vs 249, a -31.2 percent delta) and Cinebench R20 single-core (1512 vs 1208, a -20.1 percent delta). The 251TE's boost clock of 5.40 GHz, which is 0.20 GHz higher than the 240H's 5.20 GHz, appears to be a decisive factor in these tests.

In multi-core workloads, the 251TE's advantage is equally pronounced. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the 251TE at 25518 points versus the 240H's 15764, a -38.2 percent delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 10717 versus 8562, a -20.1 percent delta. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 2572 versus 2360, a smaller but still clear -8.2 percent delta. The 251TE's 24 cores and 32 threads simply overwhelm the 240H's 10 cores and 16 threads in heavily threaded tasks.

The PassMark suite tells a similar story. Data compression favors the 251TE (334399 vs 271774, -18.7 percent). Data encryption shows a -31.7 percent delta (22176 vs 15155). Floating point math shows a -31.2 percent delta (85607 vs 58905). Integer math shows a -36.1 percent delta (125739 vs 80396). Random string sorting shows a -27.2 percent delta (39643 vs 28866). Even the physics test, which can be sensitive to clock speed, favors the 251TE (1938 vs 1723, -11.1 percent). The closest benchmark is PassMark extended instructions, where the 251TE wins by just 0.5 percent (16974 vs 16897), effectively a tie.

The 240H's only wins are in PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread, both showing 3782 versus 3568, a 6 percent delta. This indicates that the 240H has a slight edge in lightly threaded, short-duration tasks that rely on very high clock speeds without heavy sustained load.

Looking at the broader database context, the 240H sits at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 31483. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 3 205 (31473, 0 percent delta), the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX (31495, 0 percent delta), and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H (31508, -0.1 percent delta). The 251TE, by contrast, sits at the 88th percentile with an average score of 41650. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (41621, 0.1 percent delta), the Intel Core i7-14650HX (41576, 0.2 percent delta), and the Intel Core i7-12850HX (41779, -0.3 percent delta). The 251TE is in a completely different performance class.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has an average benchmark score of 41650, while the Intel Core 7 240H has an average score of 31483. This places the 251TE at the 88th percentile of all CPUs and the 240H at the 82nd percentile.

Q: Is the 240H better than the 251TE in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the 240H wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3782, compared to the 251TE's 3568. This is a 6 percent delta in favor of the 240H. This result appears twice in the data, under both the single-thread and singlethread test names.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: The gap is substantial. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 251TE scores 25518 versus the 240H's 15764, a -38.2 percent delta. In PassMark multi-thread, the scores are 30022 versus 23975, a -20.1 percent delta. The 251TE's 24 cores and 32 threads provide a clear advantage.

Q: Why does the 240H have a higher base clock but lose most single-core tests?

A: The 240H has a base clock of 2.50 GHz, while the 251TE has a base clock of 1.40 GHz. However, the 251TE has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, which is 0.20 GHz higher than the 240H's 5.20 GHz. In Cinebench single-core tests, the 251TE wins by a wide margin, indicating that its higher boost clock and architecture are more effective in sustained single-thread performance.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor?

A: For the 240H, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 3 205 (31473, 0 percent delta), the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX (31495, 0 percent delta), and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H (31508, -0.1 percent delta). For the 251TE, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (41621, 0.1 percent delta), the Intel Core i7-14650HX (41576, 0.2 percent delta), and the Intel Core i7-12850HX (41779, -0.3 percent delta).

Q: Which processor has a higher launch MSRP?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H has a launch MSRP of $502. The Intel Core 7 251TE has a launch MSRP of $384.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The 240H uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-H codename, and belongs to the Core 7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation. Both are built on a 10 nm process node and fabricated by Intel, but they diverge in several key design elements.

The core counts are dramatically different. The 240H has 10 cores and 16 threads, which is typical for a mid-range mobile processor. The 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, a much higher count that explains its multi-core dominance. This core difference is the primary driver of the benchmark results.

Cache allocation also differs. Both processors have an L1 cache of 80 KB per core. The L2 cache is 2 MB per core on the 240H, while the 251TE has 1.25 MB per core. However, the L3 cache is larger on the 251TE: 36 MB shared versus 24 MB shared on the 240H. This larger shared cache helps the 251TE in workloads that benefit from more data being held close to the cores.

The integrated graphics are different as well. The 240H uses Iris Xe Graphics with 64 execution units, a capable solution for a laptop. The 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770, which is the standard desktop integrated solution. The memory support is the same, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The 251TE also lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not provided for the 240H.

PCIe support is another differentiator. The 240H offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the 251TE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). This means the desktop part has more available PCIe bandwidth for expansion cards, storage, and other devices.

The 251TE supports ECC memory, which is a notable feature for workstation or server-adjacent use cases. The 240H does not support ECC memory. The physical socket also differs: the 240H uses Intel BGA 1744, which is a soldered mobile socket, while the 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700, a standard desktop socket. The die size is listed for the 251TE at 215 mm², but no die size is listed for the 240H.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows a clear split between mobile and desktop design goals. The 240H has 10 cores and 16 threads, a base clock of 2.50 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, a base clock of 1.40 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. Both have a TDP of 45 W, but the 251TE achieves this with far more cores, which implies different power distribution per core.

The process node is identical at 10 nm for both parts. The 240H has an L2 cache of 2 MB per core, while the 251TE has 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache is 24 MB shared on the 240H and 36 MB shared on the 251TE. Memory support is identical: DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel. The 251TE has a listed memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the 240H does not have a listed figure. ECC memory is supported only on the 251TE.

The sockets are different: Intel BGA 1744 for the 240H and Intel Socket 1700 for the 251TE. The integrated graphics differ, with Iris Xe Graphics 64EU on the 240H and UHD Graphics 770 on the 251TE. PCIe capabilities differ, with 8 lanes on the 240H and 16 lanes on the 251TE, both Gen 5. The market segment is Mobile for the 240H and Desktop for the 251TE. The release dates are close, with the 240H released on December 17, 2024, and the 251TE released on January 12, 2025. The launch MSRP is $502 for the 240H and $384 for the 251TE. Both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 251TE is the clear winner in almost every category. The data shows it ahead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core. It is ahead in PassMark data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, integer math, multi-thread, physics, and random string sorting. Its 24 cores and 32 threads make it the obvious choice for rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, and any workload that scales with core count. The -38.2 percent delta in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a strong indicator of its capability in heavily threaded tasks.

The 251TE's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz also gives it an advantage in many single-threaded applications. Despite its much lower base clock, it outperforms the 240H in all three Cinebench single-core tests. This suggests that the 251TE can sustain high clocks when needed, even if its idle or low-load clocks are lower.

The Intel Core 7 240H wins in exactly one category: PassMark single-thread, with a 6 percent delta. This is a narrow win, but it indicates that the 240H has slightly better performance in very short, single-threaded bursts. This could matter for tasks like UI responsiveness, simple scripting, or older software that only uses one core. However, the margin is small, and the 251TE is not far behind in this metric.

The 240H's mobile design, with its BGA 1744 socket and Iris Xe Graphics, makes it suitable for laptops where power efficiency and integrated graphics quality matter. The 251TE, with its desktop socket, 16 PCIe lanes, and ECC support, is better suited for a desktop workstation or a system where expansion and memory reliability are priorities.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core 7 251TE is the faster processor in 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, and it holds a substantial lead in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench workloads. Its average benchmark score of 41650 places it at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the 240H's average of 31483 places it at the 82nd percentile. The 251TE also has a lower launch MSRP of $384, compared to the 240H's $502.

The 240H is not without merit. It wins the PassMark single-thread test, and its mobile form factor, with a lower power footprint in a laptop context, makes it a reasonable choice for portable systems that need decent all-around performance. Its 10 cores and 16 threads are sufficient for everyday tasks and moderate productivity.

However, for anyone choosing between these two in a system that can accommodate either, the 251TE is the superior choice based on the recorded data. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, larger L3 cache, higher boost clock, and broader PCIe support make it the more capable processor across nearly all measured workloads. The only scenario where the 240H might be preferred is if the user requires a mobile processor on a BGA socket, or if the slight PassMark single-thread edge is critical for a specific application. Otherwise, the 251TE delivers more performance in almost every category, and it does so at a lower launch MSRP.