Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL Comparison

Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL

The Intel Core 7 251TE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL represent two distinct approaches to desktop processing within Intel’s lineup. The Core 7 251TE, built on the Bartlett Lake architecture for Socket 1700, prioritizes raw throughput with a 24-core, 32-thread configuration and a 45W TDP. The Core Ultra 5 135UL, a Meteor Lake-PS part for Socket 1851, emphasizes efficiency with a 12-core, 14-thread design and a 15W TDP. Benchmark data confirms a significant performance gulf, with the Core 7 251TE achieving an average benchmark score of 41650 and an 88th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL holds a 50th percentile ranking with no recorded benchmark scores in the database.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL has 12 cores and 14 threads.

Q: How do the boost clock speeds compare?

A: The Core 7 251TE boosts up to 5.40 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL boosts up to 4.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Core 7 251TE features 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 135UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Core 7 251TE has a TDP of 45W. The Core Ultra 5 135UL has a TDP of 15W.

Q: Do these processors use the same socket?

A: No, the Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL uses Intel Socket 1851.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The Core 7 251TE includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU.

Where Each One Wins

The performance data clearly favors the Core 7 251TE in almost every measurable category. Its strength lies in heavily threaded workloads, where the combination of 24 cores, 32 threads, and a 5.40 GHz boost clock delivers exceptional results. In Cinebench R23 multi-core testing, the Core 7 251TE scores 25518 points, a figure that reflects its capacity for sustained parallel computation. Similarly, in PassMark multithread testing, it scores 30022, indicating strong performance in rendering, encoding, and scientific simulations.

The Core Ultra 5 135UL, with its lower core count and reduced TDP, is positioned for efficiency. While it has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, its architectural design as a 15W part suggests a focus on thermal management and power consumption rather than absolute performance. The Core 7 251TE also leads in single-core performance, scoring 3602 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 3568 in PassMark single-thread, which indicates responsiveness in everyday applications and lightly threaded tasks. The data shows no areas where the Core Ultra 5 135UL wins based on recorded measurements.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different architectures and manufacturing processes. The Core 7 251TE is based on the Bartlett Lake architecture, fabricated on a 10 nm process node. The Core Ultra 5 135UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS variant, and is fabricated on a 7 nm process node. These architectural choices influence their respective capabilities and target use cases.

Cache hierarchy also differs significantly. The Core 7 251TE allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, alongside a substantial 36 MB shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 135UL provides 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This difference in L3 capacity is a major factor in the Core 7 251TE’s superior multi-threaded performance, as it allows more data to be held closer to the cores.

The integrated graphics units also reflect different design goals. The Core 7 251TE integrates UHD Graphics 770, a conventional GPU solution. The Core Ultra 5 135UL integrates Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, which represents Intel’s more recent graphics architecture, potentially offering different media and display capabilities.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for the two processors show several clear distinctions. The Core 7 251TE has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL has a base clock of 1.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Core 7 251TE has a TDP of 45W, whereas the Core Ultra 5 135UL has a TDP of 15W.

Memory support varies, with the Core 7 251TE supporting both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL supports only DDR5, with compatibility depending on the motherboard. Both support dual-channel memory and share the same memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core 7 251TE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL does not.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 7 251TE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 135UL provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Core 7 251TE a distinct advantage for high-bandwidth expansion devices. The release dates also differ, with the Core Ultra 5 135UL released on 2024-04-07 and the Core 7 251TE released on 2025-01-12.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons are unavailable in the database, as the head-to-head table is empty and the Core Ultra 5 135UL has no recorded benchmark scores. However, the Core 7 251TE’s individual benchmark results provide a clear picture of its performance level. In Cinebench R23, it scores 25518 in multi-core and 3602 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 10717 in multi-core and 1512 in single-core. In Cinebench R15, it scores 2572 in multi-core and 362 in single-core.

PassMark results further detail its capabilities. In integer math, the Core 7 251TE scores 125739, and in floating point math, it scores 85607. Data compression scores 334399, while data encryption scores 22176. Extended instructions score 16974, and prime number finding scores 140. Random string sorting scores 39643. The average benchmark score is 41650, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs.

The nearest rivals to the Core 7 251TE, based on average score, include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H with an average score of 41621 and a delta of 0.1%, the Intel Core i7-14650HX with an average score of 41576 and a delta of 0.2%, the Intel Core i7-14700T with an average score of 41914 and a delta of -0.6%, and the Intel Core i7-12850HX with an average score of 41779 and a delta of -0.3%. These figures indicate that the Core 7 251TE sits within a competitive performance band, with its closest rival, the Core Ultra 7 265H, being only 0.1% ahead.

The Verdict

The recorded data indicates that the Intel Core 7 251TE is the clear performance leader. Its 24-core, 32-thread configuration, combined with a 5.40 GHz boost clock and a 36 MB L3 cache, delivers exceptional multi-threaded and single-threaded results. The average benchmark score of 41650 and 88th percentile ranking confirm its high-end positioning. Users requiring strong processing power for demanding workloads, such as heavy multitasking, content creation, or data analysis, would find this processor suitable based on the measurements.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL, with its 12 cores, 14 threads, and 15W TDP, presents a different profile. It has no recorded benchmark scores, so its performance cannot be quantified from the data. Its architectural focus on efficiency, indicated by the lower TDP, suggests it is designed for systems where power consumption and heat output are primary concerns. The 50th percentile ranking, while based on no direct scores, places it in the middle of the database’s CPU distribution.

For users who prioritize raw performance and have no constraints on power, the Core 7 251TE is the only choice supported by benchmark evidence. For those who need a low-power processor with a recent architecture, the Core Ultra 5 135UL has a defined specification sheet, but its performance characteristics remain unverified in the database. The data does not support any performance advantage for the Core Ultra 5 135UL.