Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Processor N150 Comparison

The Intel Core 7 251E and the Intel Processor N150 occupy opposite ends of Intel’s current lineup, and the recorded data confirms a fundamental split in purpose. The Core 7 251E is a desktop part with 24 cores, 32 threads, and a 65 W power envelope, built for sustained throughput on the Intel Socket 1700 platform. The N150 is a 6 W mobile processor with 4 cores and 4 threads, soldered to Intel BGA 1264, designed for minimal power draw in compact systems. Benchmark results are only available for the N150, but the specification differences alone establish clear performance boundaries. The Core 7 251E carries a launch MSRP of $384, while the N150 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is stark. The Core 7 251E wins outright on raw compute capacity. Its 24 cores and 32 threads dwarf the N150’s 4 cores and 4 threads. Any workload that scales with parallel execution, such as rendering, compilation, or data processing, belongs to the Core 7 251E. The N150 cannot match that core count, and the data does not include any benchmarks for the Core 7 251E to quantify the gap, but the structural advantage is decisive.

The N150 wins on power efficiency and platform flexibility. Its 6 W TDP is a fraction of the Core 7 251E’s 65 W TDP. That makes it suitable for always-on systems, thin clients, or mobile devices where heat and battery life are primary constraints. The N150 also supports LPDDR5 memory, which the Core 7 251E does not list, making it a better fit for low-power memory configurations. The N150’s single-channel memory bus is a limitation, but in its intended segment, low power matters more than bandwidth.

The Core 7 251E wins on memory bandwidth. It supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s of peak bandwidth, while the N150 is limited to single-channel memory at 38.4 GB/s. For memory-intensive tasks, the Core 7 251E has more than twice the theoretical bandwidth. The Core 7 251E also supports ECC memory, which the N150 does not. That makes the Core 7 251E the appropriate choice for error-sensitive workloads such as file servers or scientific computing.

The N150 wins on platform simplicity. It is a mobile part with integrated UHD Graphics 730, and its Gen 3 PCIe with 9 lanes is sufficient for modest expansion. The Core 7 251E uses Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, which is far more capable for discrete GPUs or NVMe storage, but it requires a full desktop motherboard and cooler. The N150’s BGA socket means it comes attached to a board, reducing user assembly effort.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Core 7 251E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The N150 uses the Twin Lake architecture and belongs to the Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) generation. Both are built on a 10 nm process at Intel’s own foundry, so the manufacturing node is identical. The architectural divergence lies in core design and cache organization.

The Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, indicating a hybrid or multi-threaded design that allows some cores to handle two threads. The N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multi-threading. Cache distribution reflects the different designs. The Core 7 251E provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 36 MB L3 cache. The N150 provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, but its L2 is shared at 2 MB total, and its L3 is only 6 MB shared. Per-core cache is larger on the N150, but total cache is dramatically larger on the Core 7 251E.

The die size is recorded only for the Core 7 251E at 257 mm². The N150 has no recorded die size. The Core 7 251E’s larger die supports its higher core count and larger shared cache. The N150’s smaller footprint and lower power draw suggest a more compact design, but the database does not provide a measurement.

Memory support differs. The Core 7 251E supports DDR4 and DDR5, with dual-channel operation. The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but only in single-channel mode. ECC memory is available on the Core 7 251E only. PCIe capabilities also diverge: the Core 7 251E uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the N150 uses Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well, with the Core 7 251E using UHD Graphics 770 and the N150 using UHD Graphics 730.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Processor N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the N150 support ECC memory?

A: No, the N150 does not support ECC memory. The Core 7 251E supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the power draw difference?

A: The Core 7 251E has a TDP of 65 W, while the N150 has a TDP of 6 W.

Q: Which processor supports faster PCIe?

A: The Core 7 251E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the N150 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What is the N150’s average benchmark score?

A: The N150 has an average benchmark score of 1025, placing it in the 28th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Does the N150 have a higher base clock than the Core 7 251E?

A: No, the N150 has a base clock of 0.10 GHz, while the Core 7 251E has a base clock of 2.10 GHz.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data.

| Field | Intel Core 7 251E | Intel Processor N150 |

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

| Cores | 24 | 4 |

| Threads | 32 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 0.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.60 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 6 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Twin Lake |

| Generation | Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) | Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRQDUQ657 | SRPNR |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains benchmark results only for the N150. The Core 7 251E has no recorded benchmark scores, and the head-to-head benchmark list is empty. That limits direct comparison, but the N150’s scores provide a reference point for its performance class.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the N150 scores 422.5. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 153.15. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 2590.5. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 935. These numbers are low in absolute terms, which is expected for a 4-core, 4-thread processor with a 6 W TDP and a base clock of 0.10 GHz.

The N150’s average benchmark score is 1025, placing it in the 28th percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database are all close in average score. The AMD Phenom II X6 1075T scores 1024, which is 0.1% higher than the N150. The Intel Core i3-4340 scores 1026, which is 0.1% lower. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U scores 1024, also 0.1% higher. The Intel Core i7-5650U scores 1027, which is 0.2% lower. These tiny deltas place the N150 in a narrow performance band around the 1025 average, roughly equivalent to older desktop and mobile parts from a decade earlier.

No such data exists for the Core 7 251E, so its percentile and average score are unknown. Its 50th percentile ranking is recorded, but that is a placeholder in the absence of benchmarks, not a measured result. The Core 7 251E’s 24-core, 32-thread configuration, 5.60 GHz boost clock, and 36 MB L3 cache point to a far higher performance ceiling. Its 65 W TDP and dual-channel 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth support sustained heavy workloads. The N150 cannot approach those resources.

The biggest win for the Core 7 251E is structural: 6 times the cores, 8 times the threads, and 6 times the L3 cache. The biggest win for the N150 is power efficiency: 6 W versus 65 W, a difference that allows fanless or battery-powered designs. The N150 also supports LPDDR5 memory, which the Core 7 251E does not, giving it an edge in low-power memory configurations.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct buyers. The Intel Core 7 251E is for desktop users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, 5.60 GHz boost clock, 36 MB L3 cache, and dual-channel memory at 89.6 GB/s make it a high-capacity part. ECC memory support and Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes add server-like capabilities. The launch MSRP of $384 positions it as a premium desktop processor.

The Intel Processor N150 is for low-power, compact systems. Its 4 cores, 4 threads, 6 W TDP, and support for LPDDR5 make it suitable for small mobile devices or embedded systems. Its single-channel memory at 38.4 GB/s is a clear limitation, but its 28th percentile ranking and average score of 1025 show it sits alongside older mid-range parts like the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T and Intel Core i3-4340. That is adequate for light workloads, not for heavy compute.

Users who prioritize raw performance should choose the Core 7 251E. Users who prioritize power draw and platform simplicity should choose the N150. The two processors do not compete on the same metrics, and the recorded data does not support any other conclusion.