Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core 7 360 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a stark contrast between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 7 360 claims victory in only 2. The margin of victory for the 251TE is substantial across most workloads, though the 360's wins reveal an interesting single-threaded strength.

Starting with Cinebench results, the 251TE dominates every rendering test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 251TE scores 2572 against the 360's 1374, a delta of 87.2%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 362 versus 193, also 87.6% ahead. This pattern holds across R20 and R23. The R20 multicore result is 10717 against 5726, and R23 multicore shows 25518 versus 13634, both with an 87.2% delta. Single-core results in R20 and R23 follow with 87.1% and 87.2% deltas respectively, with scores of 1512 versus 808 and 3602 versus 1924.

PassMark tests reveal where the 251TE's multi-threaded advantage becomes extreme. Integer math shows the largest gap: 125739 versus 34238, a 267.2% delta. Data compression follows at 134% ahead, with scores of 334399 and 142877. Random string sorting shows a 124.8% delta (39643 versus 17636). Floating point math delivers 85607 against 44963, a 90.4% advantage. Multithread scores are 30022 versus 15544, a 93.1% delta. Data encryption shows 22176 versus 11164, a 98.6% gap. Physics tests deliver 1938 versus 1213, 59.8% ahead. Extended instructions show a 37% delta (16974 versus 12390), and even the find prime numbers test, the closest multicore result, has the 251TE ahead by 16.7% (140 versus 120).

The 360's two wins come in the PassMark single-thread tests. Both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread record the same scores: 4274 for the 360 versus 3568 for the 251TE. This gives the 360 a 16.5% advantage in single-threaded PassMark performance. These are the only benchmarks where the 360 leads, and the sample size is effectively one test recorded under two labels.

Where Each One Wins

The data splits cleanly by workload type. The 251TE wins every multi-threaded and multi-core test in the database. Its 24 cores and 32 threads provide massive parallel throughput. Rendering workloads in Cinebench, data compression, encryption, integer math, floating point math, physics simulation, and string sorting all favor the 251TE by wide margins. The average benchmark score of 41650 places it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs tracked, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (avg score 41621, delta 0.1%), Intel Core i7-14650HX (41576, 0.2%), Intel Core i7-12850HX (41779, -0.3%), and Intel Core i7-14700T (41914, -0.6%). These deltas are all within 0.6%, indicating the 251TE sits firmly in a competitive desktop performance tier.

The 360's wins are confined to the PassMark single-thread metric. Its score of 4274 exceeds the 251TE's 3568 by 16.5%. This suggests the 360's architecture, despite having only 6 cores and 6 threads, delivers superior per-thread performance in this specific test. The 360's average benchmark score of 18374 places it in the 72nd percentile, with nearest rivals being the Intel Core i3-13100 (avg score 18380, delta 0%), Intel Core 5 330 (18345, 0.2%), Intel Core i3-14100 (18318, 0.3%), and Intel Core 3 305 (18302, 0.4%). These near-identical scores indicate the 360 performs like a mainstream quad-core class chip in overall averages despite its single-thread edge.

For workloads that depend primarily on single-thread responsiveness, the 360 shows an advantage in the PassMark measurement. For everything else, the 251TE is the clear choice based on recorded data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design families. The 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process node, while the 360 uses Wildcat Lake on a 3 nm node. The 251TE is a desktop part with an Intel Socket 1700, while the 360 is a mobile processor using Intel BGA 1516. This socket difference alone dictates which systems can accept each chip.

Core counts differ dramatically. The 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement with efficiency cores contributing to the thread count. The 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyperthreading support evident from the equal core and thread numbers. The 251TE's base clock is 1.40 GHz with a boost of 5.40 GHz. The 360 has a slightly higher base of 1.50 GHz but a lower boost of 4.80 GHz. The thermal design power reflects their different market segments: the 251TE is rated at 45 watts, while the 360 draws only 15 watts.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The 251TE provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The 360 offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 6 MB of shared L3. The per-core cache is larger on the 360, yet the total L3 pool is far smaller due to fewer cores.

Memory support differs substantially. The 251TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. The 360 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a single-channel configuration with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. PCIe connectivity also differs: the 251TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the 360 provides Gen 4 with only 6 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the 251TE using UHD Graphics 770 and the 360 using Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.

The 251TE has a die size of 215 mm², while the 360's die size is not recorded. The 251TE was released in January 2025, and the 360 in April 2026. Both parts remain in active production. The 251TE's launch MSRP is $384, and the 360's launch MSRP is $426.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How do their single-threaded PassMark scores compare?

A: The 360 scores 4274 in the PassMark single-thread test, which is 16.5% higher than the 251TE's score of 3568.

Q: What is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The 251TE scores 25518, while the 360 scores 13634. This gives the 251TE an 87.2% advantage in that test.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: The 251TE supports ECC memory, while the 360 does not.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The 251TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The 360 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in single-channel mode.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The 251TE boosts to 5.40 GHz, which is higher than the 360's 4.80 GHz boost clock.

The Verdict

The recorded data indicates that the Intel Core 7 251TE is the overwhelmingly stronger performer in almost every measurable workload. Its 15 benchmark wins out of 17 comparisons, combined with the 88th percentile ranking and an average benchmark score of 41650, place it in a different performance class than the 360. The 251TE's nearest rivals all score within 0.6% of it, confirming it competes with high-end desktop and mobile HX-series chips. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, 36 MB of L3 cache, dual-channel memory support, and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth make it suitable for rendering, data compression, encryption, and other parallel workloads where its deltas range from 16.7% to 267.2% over the 360.

The Intel Core 7 360, with its 72nd percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 18374, performs similarly to quad-core desktop parts like the Intel Core i3-13100 and i3-14100. Its single-thread PassMark score of 4274 is genuinely higher than the 251TE's 3568, and its 3 nm process node and larger per-core caches (192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 per core) suggest architectural efficiency. However, the 360's 6 MB total L3, single-channel memory, 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, and 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes limit its overall capability.

Users whose workloads are primarily single-threaded and who require minimal power consumption might find the 360's 15 watt TDP and single-thread advantage appealing. Yet the benchmark data shows the 251TE also wins the Cinebench single-core tests by 87.1% to 87.6%, so the 360's single-thread superiority is specific to the PassMark measurement. For any multi-threaded task, the 251TE delivers results that are at minimum 16.7% better and often more than double the 360's scores. The data supports the 251TE as the higher-performance processor for virtually all compute-intensive applications, while the 360 offers a lower-power mobile option with a specific single-thread strength.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 251TE | Intel Core 7 360 |

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

| Cores | 24 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | Not recorded |

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

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 6 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $426 |

| Part Number | SRQAXQ5ZG | SAE3E |