Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K delivers a commanding performance profile across every recorded benchmark in the database. Its average benchmark score of 83,807 places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 7 251E holds a 50th percentile position with an average score of 0. The Core Ultra 9 285K posts a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42,522, a Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 24,003, and a Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 6,494. Single-core results show the same pattern: Cinebench R23 single-core at 2,377, Cinebench R20 single-core at 3,388, and Cinebench R15 single-core at 359. Geekbench results reinforce the gap, with a multi-core score of 26,702 and a single-core score of 2,870.

PassMark subtests further quantify the Core Ultra 9 285K's strengths. Data compression reaches 790,052, data encryption hits 57,745, extended instructions score 62,277, and floating point math records 224,324. Integer math posts 172,379, prime number finding returns 541, multithread performance reaches 67,260, physics scores 3,938, random string sorting records 94,927, and single-thread performance sits at 5,087. These figures represent the only benchmark entries in the database for either processor, so the comparison is one-sided in terms of recorded scores.

The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra 9 285K provide context for its standing. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus averages 84,003, a 0.2% advantage, which effectively places the two processors at parity. The AMD EPYC 4584PX sits 0.9% behind with an average of 83,090, and the AMD EPYC 9135 trails by 1.0% with 82,980. The AMD EPYC 7F72 leads by 1.5% at 85,072. In short, the Core Ultra 9 285K competes at the top of the desktop and server-class spectrum, while the Core 7 251E has no benchmark entries and no nearest rivals recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge at the architectural level. The Intel Core 7 251E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation, built on Intel's 10 nm process node with a 257 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K uses the Arrow Lake-S codename under the Arrow Lake architecture, belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation, and is fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm node with a 243 mm² die. The Core Ultra 9 285K integrates 17,800 million transistors, a figure not recorded for the Core 7 251E.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core 7 251E offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 9 285K doubles the L1 to 192 KB per core, raises L2 to 3 MB per core, and matches the L3 at 36 MB shared. Both processors support ECC memory, but the Core 7 251E accepts both DDR4 and DDR5 across a dual-channel bus at 89.6 GB/s, while the Core Ultra 9 285K is limited to DDR5 with a wider 102.4 GB/s dual-channel bandwidth.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 7 251E exposes Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 9 285K provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics separate the two: the Core 7 251E uses UHD Graphics 770, whereas the Core Ultra 9 285K carries Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Core 7 251E is socketed for Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 9 285K requires Intel Socket 1851. The Core 7 251E has a locked multiplier, while the Core Ultra 9 285K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The Core 7 251E launched on January 12, 2025, and the Core Ultra 9 285K launched earlier on October 23, 2024.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear separation. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is the only processor of the two with benchmark entries in the database, and its 96th percentile ranking confirms high-end placement. Its 42,522 Cinebench R23 multi-core score and 26,702 Geekbench multi-core score indicate strong multi-threaded throughput, while the 5,087 PassMark single-thread score and 2,870 Geekbench single-core score demonstrate solid single-thread capability. The 125 TDP and 3.70 GHz base clock to 5.70 GHz boost clock align with a performance-oriented desktop part that expects robust cooling and power delivery.

The Intel Core 7 251E, with no recorded benchmarks and a 50th percentile rank, cannot be positioned with the same confidence. Its 65 TDP, 2.10 GHz base clock to 5.60 GHz boost clock, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 point toward a lower-power desktop part with broader memory compatibility. The 24 cores and 32 threads give it a thread count advantage over the Core Ultra 9 285K's 24 cores and 24 threads, but without benchmark scores, the practical impact of that thread count remains unmeasured.

For users selecting between the two, the data supports the Core Ultra 9 285K for workloads that rely on high multi-core and single-core throughput, given its verified scores across Cinebench, Geekbench, and PassMark. The Core 7 251E is the only option for Socket 1700 platforms and for systems that need DDR4 support or a lower 65 W TDP. The Core Ultra 9 285K carries a 125 W TDP and requires Socket 1851, so platform choice will constrain the decision regardless of raw performance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 251E | Intel Core Ultra 9 285K |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Series | None listed | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Architecture | None listed | Arrow Lake |

| Generation | Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) | Ultra 9 (Arrow Lake) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die size | 257 mm² | 243 mm² |

| Cores | 24 | 24 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.60 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 36 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-10-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $589 |

| Part number | SRQDUQ657 | SRQD5 |

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 32 threads versus 24 threads on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, despite both having 24 cores.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has an average benchmark score of 83,807, while the Intel Core 7 251E has an average benchmark score of 0 with no recorded benchmark entries.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E boosts to 5.60 GHz, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K boosts slightly higher to 5.70 GHz. The base clocks differ more significantly: 2.10 GHz for the Core 7 251E versus 3.70 GHz for the Core Ultra 9 285K.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 7 251E and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K support ECC memory.

Q: What memory types does each CPU support?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K supports DDR5 only. The Core Ultra 9 285K has a higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 7 251E.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is 0.2% faster, the AMD EPYC 7F72 is 1.5% faster, the AMD EPYC 4584PX is 0.9% slower, and the AMD EPYC 9135 is 1.0% slower, all based on average benchmark scores.

Q: Which CPU has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while the Intel Core 7 251E provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.