Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 238V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 7 251TE dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning 14 of the 17 recorded benchmarks. The margin is often enormous. In PassMark integer math, the 251TE scores 125739 against 38889 for the Core Ultra 5 238V, a 223.3% advantage. That is the single largest gap in the entire dataset. Data compression shows a similar story: 334399 versus 176532, a 89.4% lead. Random string sorting favors the 251TE by 83.7%, with scores of 39643 and 21585 respectively.

The Cinebench suite tells a consistent tale. Across R15, R20, and R23, both multicore and singlecore results show the 251TE ahead by roughly 63%. In R23 multicore, the 251TE scores 25518 while the 238V manages 15645. In R23 singlecore, the gap is 3602 versus 2208. The same 63.1% delta appears in R15 multicore (2572 vs 1576), R15 singlecore (362 vs 222), R20 multicore (10717 vs 6570), and R20 singlecore (1512 vs 927). This uniformity suggests a fundamental throughput difference rather than workload-specific behavior.

Data encryption favors the 251TE by 69.6% (22176 vs 13072). Floating point math shows a 61% advantage (85607 vs 53160). Multithread performance in PassMark gives the 251TE a 63.1% edge (30022 vs 18407). Physics scoring also goes to the 251TE, though by a smaller 25.4% margin (1938 vs 1546). Extended instructions is the closest win for the 251TE at just 10.4% (16974 vs 15377).

The Core Ultra 5 238V wins only three benchmarks, but they are telling. PassMark single thread (listed twice in the database as single_thread and singlethread) goes to the 238V with 3890 versus 3568, an 8.3% advantage. Prime number finding also favors the 238V: 174 versus 140, a 19.5% lead. These wins indicate that in specific single-threaded algorithmic tasks, the Lunar Lake part can outpace the Bartlett Lake part despite losing heavily elsewhere.

Where Each One Wins

The 251TE is the clear choice for any workload that scales with core count or thread count. It has 24 cores and 32 threads, and its multithread benchmark results confirm this. Integer math, data compression, encryption, and random string sorting all show massive leads. These tasks rely on parallel execution and raw throughput, areas where the 251TE's core count gives it an overwhelming advantage. The Cinebench multicore results reinforce this: a 63.1% lead across every version of the test.

The 238V wins in narrowly defined single-thread scenarios. Its PassMark single thread score of 3890 beats the 251TE's 3568. Prime number detection also favors the 238V. These are workloads where per-core efficiency matters more than core count. The 238V uses a 3 nm process from TSMC, which explains its strength in latency-sensitive single-thread operations. For users running code that cannot utilize more than one or two cores effectively, the 238V holds an edge.

The 251TE also wins in extended instructions by 10.4%, a modest margin compared to its other victories. This suggests that SIMD-heavy workloads still favor the 251TE, but not by the same factor as purely parallel tasks. Physics scoring also goes to the 251TE, though the 25.4% gap is smaller than the multithread average, indicating that physics simulation may depend on single-thread efficiency as well as core count.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design families. The 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It has 24 cores and 32 threads, which implies a hybrid arrangement of performance and efficiency cores. Its cache hierarchy is substantial: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The die size is 215 mm².

The 238V belongs to the Lunar Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 2. It is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. It has 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The cache layout differs significantly: 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches help explain its single-thread wins, while the smaller L3 limits its aggregate throughput.

Memory support diverges as well. The 251TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a measured bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the 238V. The 238V's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, with no bandwidth figure recorded. PCIe connectivity differs: the 251TE offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the 238V offers Gen 5 with only 4 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics also separate the two. The 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the 238V uses Arc 130V. The 251TE is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with a 45 W TDP. The 238V is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2833 with a 17 W TDP. The 251TE was released later, on 2025-01-12, while the 238V appeared on 2024-09-23. The 251TE has a launch MSRP of $384; no MSRP is recorded for the 238V. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The 251TE scores 25518, while the 238V scores 15645. The 251TE leads by 63.1%.

Q: In which benchmarks does the Core Ultra 5 238V outperform the Core 7 251TE?

A: The 238V wins in PassMark single thread (3890 vs 3568, an 8.3% lead) and PassMark find prime numbers (174 vs 140, a 19.5% lead).

Q: What are the manufacturing process differences?

A: The 251TE uses a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. The 238V uses a 3 nm process at TSMC.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The 251TE supports ECC memory. The 238V does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The 251TE has a TDP of 45 W. The 238V has a TDP of 17 W.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 251TE | Intel Core Ultra 5 238V |

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

| Cores | 24 | 8 |

| Threads | 32 | 8 |

| Base clock | 1.40 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| 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 | 8 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | Depends on motherboard |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 4 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc 130V |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | None recorded |

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous for most workloads. The Intel Core 7 251TE is the faster processor in 14 of 17 benchmarks, with leads that often exceed 60% and sometimes surpass 200%. Its 24 cores and 32 threads provide a decisive advantage in parallel tasks. Integer math, data compression, encryption, and multithreaded rendering all favor the 251TE by large margins. The Cinebench suite shows a consistent 63.1% lead across all versions and both singlecore and multicore tests. The 251TE also offers ECC memory support, DDR4 and DDR5 compatibility, and 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, making it a more flexible desktop platform.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is not without merit. Its 3 nm TSMC process and larger per-core caches deliver a genuine single-thread advantage in specific tests. PassMark single thread shows an 8.3% lead, and prime number finding shows a 19.5% lead. For workloads that depend on per-core latency rather than throughput, the 238V is the better choice. Its 17 W TDP also indicates far lower power consumption, which matters for mobile systems on Intel BGA 2833 sockets.

The recorded data supports a straightforward conclusion. Users whose software scales across many cores should select the 251TE. Users whose software is strictly single-threaded and latency-bound, or who require the low-power mobile form factor, should select the 238V. The 251TE sits in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the 238V sits in the 75th percentile. The average benchmark score for the 251TE is 41650, nearly double the 238V's 21981. The 251TE also compares closely to the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H, Core i7-14650HX, and Core i7-14700T, all within a 0.6% delta. The 238V's nearest rivals include the Core i7-11700F and AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, with deltas near zero. Those comparisons confirm that the 251TE competes in a higher performance class entirely.