Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL Comparison

The Intel Core 7 251TE is the decisive performer in this comparison, winning all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL. The 251TE delivers an average benchmark score of 41,650, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the 105UL records an average of 13,061, landing in the 68th percentile. The performance gap is substantial, with the 251TE often doubling or tripling the 105UL's scores, particularly in multi-threaded workloads. The data indicates the 251TE is for users who prioritize raw compute throughput, while the 105UL serves as a low-power alternative with its 15 W TDP and integrated Arc graphics.

The Verdict

The Intel Core 7 251TE is the clear choice for compute-intensive tasks. Its 24 cores and 32 threads provide a massive parallel processing advantage, reflected in a 191.9% lead over the 105UL in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 25,518 versus 8,742. The 251TE also holds a significant edge in single-core performance, with a 191.9% delta in Cinebench R23 single-core (3,602 vs 1,234), making it suitable for both heavily threaded and lightly threaded applications.

The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL is positioned for efficiency-focused builds. Its 15 W TDP is one-third of the 251TE's 45 W TDP, and it uses the newer Intel Socket 1851 platform with Meteor Lake architecture. The 105UL's average benchmark score of 13,061 places it near the Intel Core i5-9400F (13,041, 0.2% delta) and Intel Core i7-10750H (13,024, 0.3% delta), indicating it competes with older mainstream desktop and mobile parts, not with the 251TE's tier. The 251TE, by contrast, sits within 0.6% of the Intel Core i7-14700T (41,914) and 0.1% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (41,621), showing it belongs in a much higher performance class.

The verdict is straightforward: the 251TE for performance, the 105UL for low power consumption. There is no benchmark category where the 105UL wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design families. The Core 7 251TE uses Bartlett Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, built for Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 3 105UL uses Meteor Lake architecture on a 7 nm process, built for Intel Socket 1851. The process node difference is notable: the 105UL's 7 nm node is denser than the 251TE's 10 nm node, which contributes to its lower power profile.

Core counts differ sharply. The 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads. This is the primary driver of the 251TE's multi-threaded dominance. The 251TE also has a larger L3 cache at 36 MB shared, versus 10 MB shared on the 105UL. Per-core L1 and L2 caches differ as well: the 251TE has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while the 105UL has 112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core. The 105UL's larger per-core caches do not compensate for its far fewer cores.

The 251TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 105UL supports DDR5 only, with compatibility dependent on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory support is present on the 251TE but absent on the 105UL. PCIe connectivity differs: the 251TE provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, the 105UL provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. The 251TE includes UHD Graphics 770, while the 105UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 48EU, which is a more modern GPU architecture. The 105UL's lower TDP and newer graphics make it a viable option for compact, low-power systems where the iGPU is the primary display output.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The 251TE wins every recorded head-to-head test. The largest margins appear in PassMark data compression, where the 251TE scores 334,399 versus 93,961, a 255.9% delta. PassMark random string sorting shows a 254.6% delta (39,643 vs 11,179), and PassMark data encryption shows a 249% delta (22,176 vs 6,354). These results indicate that the 251TE is dramatically faster in memory-intensive and cryptographic workloads.

Cinebench results are consistent across all versions. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the 251TE leads by 191.9% in both multi-core and single-core tests. For example, Cinebench R20 multi-core scores 10,717 for the 251TE and 3,671 for the 105UL. Cinebench R15 single-core scores 362 versus 124. This uniform delta across rendering workloads suggests the 251TE's architectural advantage is consistent, not workload-specific.

PassMark math tests reinforce the pattern. Integer math shows a 205.4% delta (125,739 vs 41,171), floating point math shows a 178.4% delta (85,607 vs 30,750), and extended instructions show a 201.3% delta (16,974 vs 5,634). Prime number finding shows a 218.2% delta (140 vs 44), and PassMark physics shows a 169.9% delta (1,938 vs 718).

The closest contest is PassMark single-thread performance. The 251TE scores 3,568 and the 105UL scores 3,382, a 5.5% delta. This is the only test where the two processors are near parity, indicating that the 105UL's Meteor Lake cores have competitive single-thread efficiency despite the overall performance gap. However, even here the 251TE wins.

PassMark multi-thread scores are 30,022 for the 251TE and 10,285 for the 105UL, a 191.9% delta, matching the Cinebench multi-core margins.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every core specification. The 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads; the 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads. Base clocks are 1.40 GHz for the 251TE and 1.50 GHz for the 105UL. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for the 251TE and 4.20 GHz for the 105UL. The 251TE's higher boost clock and far higher core count explain its benchmark dominance.

TDP is a major differentiator: 45 W for the 251TE, 15 W for the 105UL. The 105UL consumes considerably less power, which is its main advantage. Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1700 for the 251TE, Intel Socket 1851 for the 105UL, so they are not platform-compatible.

Process nodes differ: 10 nm for the 251TE, 7 nm for the 105UL. Die size is listed at 215 mm² for the 251TE; no die size is recorded for the 105UL. Cache configurations differ: L3 is 36 MB shared on the 251TE and 10 MB shared on the 105UL. L1 is 80 KB per core on the 251TE and 112 KB per core on the 105UL. L2 is 1.25 MB per core on the 251TE and 2 MB per core on the 105UL.

Memory support differs: the 251TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, the 105UL supports DDR5 only. ECC support is present on the 251TE, absent on the 105UL. PCIe is Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the 251TE, Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the 105UL. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 on the 251TE and Arc Xe-LPG 48EU on the 105UL. The 251TE has a launch MSRP of $384; the 105UL has a launch MSRP of $295. Release dates differ: the 251TE released in January 2025, the 105UL in April 2024. Both are active production parts with locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The 251TE scores 25,518, and the 105UL scores 8,742. The 251TE leads by 191.9%.

Q: Which CPU has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL has a 15 W TDP. The Intel Core 7 251TE has a 45 W TDP.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 7 251TE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL does not.

Q: What are the integrated graphics on each CPU?

A: The 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770. The 105UL uses Arc Xe-LPG 48EU.

Q: How close is single-thread performance?

A: In PassMark single-thread, the 251TE scores 3,568 and the 105UL scores 3,382, a 5.5% delta. It is the closest benchmark between the two.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins every recorded benchmark. It is the appropriate choice for multi-threaded rendering, data compression, encryption, and mathematical workloads. Its 191.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 205.4% lead in integer math show it handles parallel tasks with a large margin. The 251TE's 88th percentile ranking and proximity to the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (41,621, 0.1% delta) confirm it operates in a high-performance desktop class.

The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL has no benchmark wins, but its advantages are structural. Its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for low-power and compact systems. Its 7 nm process node and Meteor Lake architecture represent a newer design. Its Arc Xe-LPG 48EU integrated graphics are a more modern iGPU than the 251TE's UHD Graphics 770. The 105UL's 68th percentile ranking places it alongside the Intel Core i7-7700K (13,291, -1.7% delta) and Intel Core i5-8500 (13,142, -0.6% delta), indicating it targets mainstream workloads at reduced power consumption.

For users who need maximum compute, the 251TE is the only option in this pair. For users who prioritize low power and modern platform features, the 105UL serves that role, but it cannot match the 251TE in any measured performance category. The data is unambiguous across all 17 head-to-head tests.