Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows no direct head-to-head benchmark results between the Intel Core 7 251E and the Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL. Both processors hold identical percentile rankings against all CPUs in the database, each sitting at the 50th percentile. The average benchmark scores for both parts are recorded as zero, indicating that no standardized performance measurements have been logged for either unit in the current database state.

Without direct comparison scores, the available specification data must form the basis for performance projection. The Intel Core 7 251E delivers 24 cores and 32 threads, a substantial raw thread count advantage over the Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL, which provides 14 cores and 18 threads. The Core 7 251E boosts to 5.60 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 135HL reaches 4.60 GHz. That 1.00 GHz boost clock difference represents a significant frequency headroom advantage for the Core 7 251E in lightly threaded workloads.

The Core 7 251E also holds a larger shared L3 cache at 36 MB versus 18 MB on the Core Ultra 5 135HL. The per-core L1 cache figures differ as well, with the Core Ultra 5 135HL using 112 KB per core and the Core 7 251E using 80 KB per core. Both processors feature 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The Core 7 251E uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, while the Core Ultra 5 135HL uses Intel Socket 1851, meaning no motherboard compatibility exists between the two.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 251E wins decisively on multi-threaded capacity. Its 24 cores and 32 threads outnumber the Core Ultra 5 135HL's 14 cores and 18 threads by 10 cores and 14 threads. Applications that scale across many threads, such as rendering, compilation, and heavy multitasking, should favor the Core 7 251E based on this structural advantage alone. The 36 MB shared L3 cache provides a larger pool for frequently accessed data across those threads.

The Core 7 251E also leads in single-thread frequency. Its 5.60 GHz boost clock is 1.00 GHz higher than the Core Ultra 5 135HL's 4.60 GHz. Workloads that depend on single-core responsiveness, including many legacy applications and lightly threaded games, should show a measurable advantage for the Core 7 251E.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL counters with a lower thermal design power of 45 W, compared to 65 W for the Core 7 251E. The 20 W difference indicates that the Core Ultra 5 135HL draws less power under sustained load, which may translate into lower cooling requirements in constrained chassis. The Core Ultra 5 135HL also uses a 7 nm process node, while the Core 7 251E uses a 10 nm node, suggesting denser transistor integration for the Core Ultra 5 135HL.

The Core Ultra 5 135HL features a more advanced integrated graphics solution with Arc Xe-LPG 128EU, while the Core 7 251E uses UHD Graphics 770. For systems that rely on integrated graphics for display output or light media acceleration, the Arc Xe-LPG 128EU architecture is a distinct advantage. The Core Ultra 5 135HL also carries a larger per-core L1 cache at 112 KB, which may benefit certain latency-sensitive workloads.

The Verdict

The Intel Core 7 251E is the choice for workloads that demand high core counts and maximum boost frequency. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, and 5.60 GHz boost clock position it firmly ahead of the Core Ultra 5 135HL for multi-threaded productivity and high-frequency single-thread tasks. The 36 MB L3 cache reinforces this positioning. The Core 7 251E also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Core Ultra 5 135HL, making it suitable for reliability-sensitive applications.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL suits scenarios where lower power draw and superior integrated graphics matter more than raw core count. Its 45 W TDP represents a 20 W reduction from the Core 7 251E, and the Arc Xe-LPG 128EU graphics solution outclasses the UHD Graphics 770 in the Core 7 251E. The 7 nm process node indicates a more modern manufacturing approach.

The Core 7 251E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 135HL supports DDR5 only, with capacity depending on the motherboard. Both processors use a dual-channel memory bus and share an identical memory bandwidth rating of 89.6 GB/s. The Core 7 251E offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 135HL offers PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, giving the Core 7 251E a bandwidth and lane-count advantage for expansion devices.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not officially supported on either part. The Core 7 251E launched on 2025-01-12 with a launch MSRP of $384. The Core Ultra 5 135HL launched earlier on 2024-04-07 and has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL has 14 cores and 18 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E boosts to 5.60 GHz, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL boosts to 4.60 GHz, a difference of 1.00 GHz in favor of the Core 7 251E.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL uses Arc Xe-LPG 128EU.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL uses Intel Socket 1851. They are not socket-compatible.

Q: Which processor has a lower thermal design power?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL has a TDP of 45 W, which is 20 W lower than the Intel Core 7 251E at 65 W.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 7 251E is built on the Bartlett Lake codename within the Core 7 generation, manufactured on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The die size is recorded at 257 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL uses the Meteor Lake architecture with the Meteor Lake-PS codename, belonging to the Core Ultra Series 1 generation. It is manufactured on a 7 nm process node, also at Intel's foundry, with no die size recorded in the database.

The Core 7 251E uses a per-core L1 cache of 80 KB and a per-core L2 cache of 2 MB, with 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 135HL uses a per-core L1 cache of 112 KB and a per-core L2 cache of 2 MB, with 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 7 251E therefore provides double the L3 cache capacity of the Core Ultra 5 135HL, while the Core Ultra 5 135HL provides 32 KB more L1 cache per core.

The Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 135HL supports DDR5 with capacity dependent on the motherboard. Both processors use a dual-channel memory bus with an identical 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth rating. The Core 7 251E provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 135HL provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. The Core 7 251E supports ECC memory; the Core Ultra 5 135HL does not.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several core specification fields. The Intel Core 7 251E offers 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135HL offers 14 cores and 18 threads. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for the Core 7 251E and 1.70 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 135HL, a 0.40 GHz difference. Boost clocks are 5.60 GHz and 4.60 GHz respectively. TDP ratings are 65 W for the Core 7 251E and 45 W for the Core Ultra 5 135HL.

The Core 7 251E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 135HL uses Intel Socket 1851. The process nodes differ at 10 nm for the Core 7 251E and 7 nm for the Core Ultra 5 135HL. The Core 7 251E has a recorded die size of 257 mm², while the Core Ultra 5 135HL has no die size recorded. The Core 7 251E has a launch MSRP of $384, while the Core Ultra 5 135HL has no launch MSRP recorded.

Memory support differs: the Core 7 251E supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 135HL supports DDR5 only. ECC memory support is present on the Core 7 251E and absent on the Core Ultra 5 135HL. PCIe capability differs with Gen 5 and 16 lanes on the Core 7 251E versus Gen 4 and 8 lanes on the Core Ultra 5 135HL. Integrated graphics differ with UHD Graphics 770 on the Core 7 251E and Arc Xe-LPG 128EU on the Core Ultra 5 135HL. Both processors have locked multipliers. Release dates are 2025-01-12 for the Core 7 251E and 2024-04-07 for the Core Ultra 5 135HL.