Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235T Comparison

The Verdict

The database contains benchmark results for only one of these two processors: the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T. For the Intel Core 7 251E, no benchmark scores, average score, or percentile ranking are recorded. Consequently, the recorded data cannot support a direct performance comparison between the two parts. The analysis must therefore rely on their architectural and specification differences, which are substantial.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T, with its 86th percentile ranking among all CPUs and an average benchmark score of 38,561, is positioned as a strong performer within its own data set. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-14500, scores 38,531, a negligible 0.1% difference. The Core 7 251E has no such recorded data, leaving its competitive position undefined in the database.

For buyers choosing between these two on paper, the Core Ultra 5 235T offers a modern 3 nm TSMC-built Arrow Lake design, a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, and a PCIe Gen 5 implementation with 20 lanes. The Core 7 251E counters with 24 cores and 32 threads versus 14 cores and 14 threads, a higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz versus 5.00 GHz, a larger shared L3 cache of 36 MB versus 24 MB, ECC memory support, and compatibility with both DDR4 and DDR5. The Core 7 251E also has a launch MSRP of $384.

The choice between them depends on which set of features the workload prioritizes. The Core 7 251E targets scenarios needing many threads, ECC, and legacy DDR4 support. The Core Ultra 5 235T targets scenarios needing newer process technology, higher memory bandwidth, and more PCIe lanes. Without benchmark data for the Core 7 251E, any verdict on raw speed remains unsubstantiated.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge at the fundamental architecture level. The Intel Core 7 251E is built on the Bartlett Lake codename, belongs to the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation, uses a 10 nm process node, and is fabricated by Intel. Its die size is 257 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T uses the Arrow Lake-S codename, belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 and the Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) generation, and is built on a 3 nm process node by TSMC with a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm².

Core and thread counts differ sharply. The Core 7 251E provides 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235T provides 14 cores and 14 threads. The Core 7 251E therefore supports simultaneous multithreading; the Core Ultra 5 235T does not, as evidenced by its equal core and thread counts.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 7 251E has an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, an L2 cache of 2 MB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 36 MB. The Core Ultra 5 235T has a larger L1 cache of 192 KB per core, a larger L2 cache of 3 MB per core, but a smaller shared L3 cache of 24 MB.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and ECC memory support. The Core Ultra 5 235T supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s and no ECC support.

PCIe capabilities differ. The Core 7 251E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core Ultra 5 235T provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ: the Core 7 251E uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 235T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU.

The sockets are incompatible. The Core 7 251E uses Intel Socket 1700; the Core Ultra 5 235T uses Intel Socket 1851. Release dates are close, with the Core 7 251E released on 2025-01-12 and the Core Ultra 5 235T released on 2025-01-06. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T does not.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has a shared L3 cache of 36 MB. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T has a shared L3 cache of 24 MB.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T supports DDR5 only.

Q: Which processor has a higher recorded average benchmark score?

A: Only the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T has a recorded average benchmark score of 38,561, with an 86th percentile ranking. The Intel Core 7 251E has no recorded benchmark scores in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Cores: 24 (Core 7 251E) versus 14 (Core Ultra 5 235T)
• Threads: 32 versus 14
• Base clock: 2.10 GHz versus 2.20 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.60 GHz versus 5.00 GHz
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel Socket 1851
• Codename: Bartlett Lake versus Arrow Lake-S
• Generation: Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) versus Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake)
• Process node: 10 nm versus 3 nm
• Foundry: Intel versus TSMC
• Transistors: not listed versus 17,800 million
• Die size: 257 mm² versus 243 mm²
• L1 cache: 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core
• L2 cache: 2 MB per core versus 3 MB per core
• L3 cache: 36 MB shared versus 24 MB shared
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 versus DDR5
• Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s
• ECC memory: true versus false
• PCIe: Gen 5, 16 lanes versus Gen 5, 20 lanes
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU
• Launch MSRP: $384 versus $247
• Part number: SRQDUQ657 versus SRQES
• Release date: 2025-01-12 versus 2025-01-06

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for this pair, and the Intel Core 7 251E has no individual benchmark scores recorded. The only performance data available belongs to the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T, which can be examined in absolute terms and against its nearest rivals.

The Core Ultra 5 235T achieves a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 26,232 and a single-core score of 3,703. In Cinebench R20, it scores 11,017 multicore and 1,555 single-core. In Cinebench R15, it scores 2,644 multicore and 373 single-core. These results show a progressive scaling across Cinebench versions, consistent with the processor's core configuration.

PassMark results for the Core Ultra 5 235T show a multithread score of 30,918 and a single-thread score of 4,339. The integer math score is 84,244, while floating point math reaches 106,546. Data compression scores 295,100, and data encryption scores 23,457. Extended instructions score 23,212, and find prime numbers scores 318. Random string sorting scores 35,377, and physics scores 2,157.

The average benchmark score of 38,561 places the Core Ultra 5 235T at the 86th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-14500, has an average score of 38,531, a delta of only 0.1%. The Intel Xeon w3-2525 scores 38,392, a 0.4% delta. The Intel Core 9 270H scores 38,335, a 0.6% delta. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H scores 38,312, a 0.7% delta. These margins indicate that the Core Ultra 5 235T sits at the top of a very tight cluster of comparable processors, with no rival in its nearest set exceeding a 0.7% difference. The data indicates that the Core Ultra 5 235T holds a narrow but consistent lead over all four nearest rivals in average score.

For the Core 7 251E, no such measurements exist. The database records no Cinebench scores, no PassMark scores, and no average benchmark score for it. Its percentile versus all CPUs is listed at 50, but with an average benchmark score of zero, this percentile cannot be interpreted as a measured performance result. The absence of data means no head-to-head wins can be assigned to either processor. The wins count for both is zero in the recorded head-to-head field.

The architectural advantages of the Core 7 251E in thread count, boost clock, L3 cache size, and ECC support are factual specifications, but they are not corroborated by any benchmark results. Conversely, the Core Ultra 5 235T has a complete benchmark profile demonstrating strong absolute performance and a narrow margin over its nearest rivals. Any comparative performance statement between these two specific processors would require additional measurements that the database does not currently contain.