Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison
Intel Core 7 251E
Core Ultra 9 285
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285
Where Each One Wins
The recorded data splits cleanly by workload type. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins every benchmark where a score exists, while the Intel Core 7 251E has no benchmark entries in the database. That means the Core Ultra 9 285 is the outright performer across all measured categories, from single-threaded tasks to heavy multi-threaded workloads.
Looking at the Core Ultra 9 285's benchmark results, the strongest showing comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 48,945, which places the chip at the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals in average benchmark score are the AMD EPYC 8224P at 75,582 (0.1% ahead), the AMD EPYC 4545P at 75,373 (0.2% behind), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D at 75,716 (0.3% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 at 75,738 (0.3% ahead). The Core Ultra 9 285's average benchmark score of 75,488 sits nearly exactly between these competitors, with deltas of only 0.1% to 0.3% in either direction. This indicates the chip is effectively tied with those server and workstation parts in aggregate performance.
For the Core 7 251E, the absence of benchmark records means the database shows no wins and no percentile placement beyond its 50th percentile standing, which is based on general CPU classification rather than measured scores. The practical interpretation is that the Core Ultra 9 285 is the only one of the two with verifiable performance data, and that data shows a dominant position in every tested workload.
Architecture Differences
The two processors diverge at the silicon level. The Intel Core 7 251E uses a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². It is built on the Bartlett Lake codename and uses the Intel Socket 1700. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 uses a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. It is built on the Arrow Lake-S codename and uses the Intel Socket 1851.
Both chips have 24 cores, but the thread counts differ. The Core 7 251E supports 32 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 285 supports 24 threads. This means the Core 7 251E implements simultaneous multithreading, while the Core Ultra 9 285 does not, relying on its physical cores alone.
Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 7 251E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9 285 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core, also with 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 9 285 reflect the newer microarchitecture.
Memory support differs as well. The Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 9 285 supports only DDR5. Both are dual-channel, but the memory bandwidth is higher on the Core Ultra 9 285 at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 7 251E. Both support ECC memory.
PCIe connectivity differs. The Core 7 251E provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 9 285 provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics also differ: the Core 7 251E uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 9 285 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.
Release dates and launch MSRP differ. The Core 7 251E launched on 2025-01-12 with a launch MSRP of $384. The Core Ultra 9 285 launched on 2024-12-31 with a launch MSRP of $579. Both are currently active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark entries between the two processors. However, the Core Ultra 9 285 has a full suite of recorded scores, and the Core 7 251E has none. This makes the comparison one-sided.
In Cinebench R15, the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 4,933 in multi-core and 696 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 20,556 multi-core and 2,901 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 48,945 multi-core and 6,909 single-core. These numbers show strong scaling from R15 to R23, with the multi-core score more than doubling from R15 to R20 and then more than doubling again from R20 to R23.
PassMark results for the Core Ultra 9 285 cover a range of workloads. Data compression scores 602,121. Data encryption scores 46,949. Extended instructions score 45,357. Prime number finding scores 459. Floating point math scores 194,988. Integer math scores 164,869. Multithread scores 56,602. Physics scores 3,598. Random string sorting scores 73,651. Single-thread scores 4,881.
The single-thread score of 4,881 in PassMark, paired with the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6,909, indicates strong per-core performance. The multithread score of 56,602 in PassMark, relative to the 24 threads, shows that the processor maintains solid scaling across all cores. The data encryption and compression results are notably high, reflecting the processor's ability to handle data-intensive tasks efficiently.
Since the Core 7 251E has no recorded benchmarks, no comparative percentage deltas can be computed between the two Intel parts. The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra 9 285 are all AMD parts, and the deltas are minimal, as noted earlier. The Core 7 251E's nearest rivals list is empty, so its competitive position is undefined in the database.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more threads?
A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 threads.
Q: What is the process node difference?
A: The Intel Core 7 251E uses a 10 nm process by Intel, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 uses a 3 nm process by TSMC.
Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?
A: The Intel Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 supports only DDR5.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each?
A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 89.6 GB/s, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 102.4 GB/s.
Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 20 Gen 5 CPU lanes, while the Intel Core 7 251E has 16 Gen 5 CPU lanes.
Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Core Ultra 9 285?
A: The average benchmark score is 75,488, placing it at the 95th percentile of all CPUs.
Q: Which processor has a larger L2 cache per core?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 3 MB per core, while the Intel Core 7 251E has 2 MB per core.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in several key specification fields.
The socket is different: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 7 251E, Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 9 285. The architecture and codename differ: Bartlett Lake versus Arrow Lake-S. The process node and foundry differ: 10 nm Intel versus 3 nm TSMC. The transistor count is listed only for the Core Ultra 9 285 at 17,800 million, and the die size differs at 257 mm² versus 243 mm².
Thread counts differ: 32 threads versus 24. Base clocks differ: 2.10 GHz versus 2.50 GHz, while boost clocks are the same at 5.60 GHz. The L1 and L2 cache per core differ: 80 KB and 2 MB versus 192 KB and 3 MB. L3 cache is the same at 36 MB shared.
Memory support differs: DDR4 and DDR5 versus DDR5 only. Memory bandwidth differs: 89.6 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. PCIe lanes differ: 16 versus 20, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.
Release dates and launch MSRP differ: 2025-01-12 and $384 versus 2024-12-31 and $579. The part numbers differ: SRQDUQ657 versus SRQD4. Both are desktop parts, active in production, with ECC support, dual-channel memory, and locked multipliers. The Core Ultra 9 285 has a series designation (Core Ultra Series 2) and a generation identifier, while the Core 7 251E has no series listed.