Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core i7-12850HX Comparison

The Intel Core i7-12850HX and Intel Core 7 251TE are two very different Intel processors that nevertheless land in nearly the same performance tier. The i7-12850HX, a mobile Alder Lake-HX part from 2022, and the Core 7 251TE, a desktop Bartlett Lake part from 2025, are separated by under a single percentage point in average benchmark score, yet their architectural and physical characteristics produce distinctly different workload profiles. The data shows a 16-core mobile processor trading blows with a 24-core desktop processor, with the final head-to-head tally at 9 wins for the i7-12850HX and 8 wins for the Core 7 251TE.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-12850HX has an average benchmark score of 41779, while the Intel Core 7 251TE scores 41650. This puts the i7-12850HX just 0.3% ahead of the Core 7 251TE, according to the nearestRivals data.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core rendering performance?

A: The results are mixed across different Cinebench versions. The i7-12850HX wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 4.2% (2679 vs 2572) and R20 multicore by 1.8% (10907 vs 10717), but the Core 7 251TE wins Cinebench R23 multicore by a massive 36.1% (25518 vs 16301.5).

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE boosts to 5.40 GHz, which is higher than the i7-12850HX's 4.80 GHz boost clock. This contributes to the Core 7 251TE's large lead in single-core Cinebench R23, where it scores 3602 versus 1720.5 for the i7-12850HX.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i7-12850HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the i7-12850HX still manages to win 9 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both processors support ECC memory. They also both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, though the Core 7 251TE lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s while the i7-12850HX does not have a listed memory bandwidth figure.

Q: How do the processors compare in PassMark integer math performance?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE leads in PassMark integer math with a score of 125739, which is 14% higher than the i7-12850HX's score of 108076. This aligns with the Core 7 251TE's higher core count.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split between these two processors is generational and functional. The Intel Core i7-12850HX is built on the Alder Lake-HX architecture, using the Alder Lake codename and belonging to the Core 12th Gen series. It is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². In contrast, the Intel Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is also on a 10 nm process with the same 215 mm² die size, but it represents a newer desktop-oriented design. Both are manufactured by Intel.

The core configurations differ significantly. The i7-12850HX packs 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Core 7 251TE offers 24 cores and 32 threads. This 50% increase in core count for the Core 7 251TE is paired with a lower base clock of 1.40 GHz compared to the i7-12850HX's 2.10 GHz, but a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. The cache hierarchy is also distinct: both share an L1 cache of 80 KB per core and an L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core, but the L3 cache differs substantially. The i7-12850HX has 25 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

The socket and market positioning further separate the two. The i7-12850HX uses Intel BGA 1964 and is classified as a mobile processor, while the Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop processor. This explains the TDP difference: the i7-12850HX has a 55 W TDP, and the Core 7 251TE has a 45 W TDP. PCIe support also differs, with the i7-12850HX offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only) versus the Core 7 251TE's Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Both integrate UHD Graphics 770, and both support ECC memory. The i7-12850HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 7 251TE does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-12850HX dominates in legacy multi-core workloads and several specific PassMark sub-tests. Its wins in Cinebench R15 multicore (4.2% ahead) and R20 multicore (1.8% ahead) suggest it handles older rendering engines efficiently. The i7-12850HX also shows clear superiority in PassMark data compression, scoring 365829 versus 334399 for a 9.4% lead, and in extended instructions, where it posts 22227 versus 16974 for a 30.9% advantage. It also wins PassMark multithread (30627 vs 30022, 2% ahead), random string sorting (40327 vs 39643, 1.7% ahead), and single-thread (3683 vs 3568, 3.2% ahead). This makes it the stronger choice for compression workloads, SIMD-heavy tasks, and general single-threaded responsiveness.

The Intel Core 7 251TE, on the other hand, wins decisively in modern multi-core rendering and raw computational throughput. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25518 crushes the i7-12850HX's 16301.5, a 36.1% margin that reflects its higher core count and larger L3 cache. The Core 7 251TE also takes PassMark integer math (125739 vs 108076, 14% ahead), floating-point math (85607 vs 79337, 7.3% ahead), and physics (1938 vs 1813, 6.4% ahead). It wins PassMark data encryption (22176 vs 21120, 4.8% ahead) and find prime numbers (140 vs 111, 20.7% ahead). Single-core Cinebench results are split oddly: the Core 7 251TE wins R15 singlecore by 28% (362 vs 260.5) and R23 singlecore by 52.2% (3602 vs 1720.5), but loses R20 singlecore by 1.8% (1512 vs 1539).

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge across several key specification fields. The most obvious difference is core count: the Intel Core i7-12850HX has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clock speeds differ, with the i7-12850HX at 2.10 GHz and the Core 7 251TE at 1.40 GHz, but the boost clock favors the Core 7 251TE at 5.40 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. TDP also differs, with the i7-12850HX rated at 55 W and the Core 7 251TE at 45 W.

The socket is a major differentiator: the i7-12850HX uses Intel BGA 1964 (mobile), while the Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700 (desktop). This is reflected in their market segments, with the i7-12850HX listed as Mobile and the Core 7 251TE as Desktop. The L3 cache differs, with the i7-12850HX offering 25 MB and the Core 7 251TE offering 36 MB. PCIe lanes also differ: the i7-12850HX provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while the Core 7 251TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The i7-12850HX has an unlocked multiplier; the Core 7 251TE does not. Memory bandwidth is listed for the Core 7 251TE at 89.6 GB/s, while no such figure is provided for the i7-12850HX. Release dates are about two and a half years apart, with the i7-12850HX launching in May 2022 and the Core 7 251TE in January 2025. The launch MSRP for the i7-12850HX is $428, and the launch MSRP for the Core 7 251TE is $384.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results paint a picture of two processors that trade blows across the benchmark suite. The biggest win for the Intel Core i7-12850HX comes in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 22227 versus 16974 for the Core 7 251TE, a 30.9% advantage that indicates stronger SIMD and instruction-set optimization. The i7-12850HX also wins PassMark data compression by 9.4%, scoring 365829 versus 334399, and Cinebench R15 multicore by 4.2% (2679 vs 2572). Its other wins are narrower: Cinebench R20 multicore by 1.8% (10907 vs 10717), R20 singlecore by 1.8% (1539 vs 1512), PassMark multithread by 2% (30627 vs 30022), random string sorting by 1.7% (40327 vs 39643), and single-thread by 3.2% (3683 vs 3568).

The Intel Core 7 251TE's largest victory is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 25518 against the i7-12850HX's 16301.5, a 36.1% margin that reflects its superior core count and cache. It also wins Cinebench R23 singlecore by 52.2% (3602 vs 1720.5) and R15 singlecore by 28% (362 vs 260.5). In PassMark, the Core 7 251TE leads in find prime numbers by 20.7% (140 vs 111), integer math by 14% (125739 vs 108076), floating-point math by 7.3% (85607 vs 79337), physics by 6.4% (1938 vs 1813), and data encryption by 4.8% (22176 vs 21120).

The overall tally shows the i7-12850HX winning 9 benchmarks and the Core 7 251TE winning 8. Average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 41779 for the i7-12850HX versus 41650 for the Core 7 251TE, a 0.3% gap. Both processors sit at the 88th percentile among all CPUs. The data suggests the i7-12850HX excels at compression, SIMD, and legacy rendering tasks, while the Core 7 251TE dominates in modern multi-core rendering and math-heavy workloads.