Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 268V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core 7 251TE, which wins 14 of the 17 recorded comparisons. The margin is not subtle. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 251TE scores 25,518 against the Core Ultra 7 268V's 10,653, a 139.5% advantage. That is the largest single-test gap in the dataset. The integer math workload tells a similar story: 125,739 versus 42,669, a 194.7% delta. The 251TE's 24 cores and 32 threads simply overwhelm the 268V's 8 cores and 8 threads in heavily parallel tasks.

The single-core picture is more nuanced. The 268V actually wins PassMark single-thread with 4,051 versus 3,568, a margin of 11.9%. That result is consistent with its higher base clock of 2.20 GHz against 1.40 GHz. Yet in Cinebench R23 single-core, the 251TE turns the tables: 3,602 versus 1,921, an 87.5% lead. The discrepancy between workloads suggests the two processors have very different performance scaling patterns depending on instruction mix and thermal behavior.

The 251TE also dominates memory-sensitive and data-heavy tests. Data compression shows 334,399 versus 181,443, a 84.3% delta. Random string sorting goes 39,643 versus 22,416, a 76.9% gap. Data encryption produces 22,176 versus 13,779, a 60.9% advantage. These are not marginal differences; they indicate a processor that can sustain high throughput across sustained workloads.

The 268V's wins are concentrated in two areas: the PassMark single-thread tests already mentioned, and find prime numbers, where it scores 192 against 140, a 27.1% advantage. The prime number test is a lightweight, latency-sensitive workload, and the 268V's faster base clock and newer architecture help it there. Extended instructions are close: 16,974 versus 15,323, a 10.8% win for the 251TE, which is the narrowest margin among the 251TE's victories.

Where Each One Wins

The data splits cleanly by workload type. The 251TE is the pick for multi-threaded rendering, scientific computing, and data processing. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 2,572 versus 1,616 (59.2% delta) and R20 multi-core of 10,717 versus 6,887 (55.6% delta) confirm consistent scaling across Cinebench versions. PassMark multi-thread shows 30,022 versus 19,297, a 55.6% gap. Physics simulation also favors the 251TE: 1,938 versus 1,617, a 19.9% lead. Floating point math goes 85,607 versus 57,628, a 48.6% delta.

The 268V's niche is single-thread responsiveness and light integer workloads. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4,051 beats the 251TE's 3,568. The prime number test result (192 versus 140) reinforces this pattern. For tasks that depend on low-latency single-core execution, such as interactive scripting or lightweight database queries, the 268V holds an edge.

The 251TE's average benchmark score of 41,650 places it at the 88th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The 268V's average of 20,897 places it at the 74th percentile. The nearest rivals for the 251TE are the Core Ultra 7 265H (average 41,621, delta 0.1%), the Core i7-14650HX (41,576, 0.2%), and the Core i7-14700T (41,914, -0.6%). The 268V sits alongside the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE (20,900, 0%), the Core i5-12600T (20,917, -0.1%), and the Core Ultra 5 125U (20,826, 0.3%). In both cases, the two processors occupy very different performance tiers.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from opposite ends of Intel's design philosophy. The 251TE is built on Bartlett Lake, a 10 nm Intel process, with a die size of 215 mm². It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform and targets the desktop segment. The 268V is Lunar Lake, fabricated on a 3 nm TSMC process, and uses the Intel BGA 2833 mobile socket. The process node difference is substantial: 10 nm versus 3 nm, which explains part of the 268V's efficiency advantage despite its lower performance.

Core counts diverge sharply. The 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The 268V has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no hyperthreading. Cache hierarchies reflect this. The 251TE carries 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 268V has only 12 MB. Per-core L1 and L2 are larger on the 268V: 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 per core, versus 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core on the 251TE. The 268V's per-core cache design suits its low-core-count, high-frequency approach.

Memory support differs as well. The 251TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The 268V's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, and it does not support ECC. PCIe lane counts also separate them: the 251TE provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the 268V provides Gen 5 with only 4 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ. The 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the 268V uses Arc 140V. The 268V's TDP of 17 watts is far below the 251TE's 45 watts, a direct consequence of the smaller process node and reduced core count. The 251TE boosts to 5.40 GHz versus the 268V's 5.00 GHz, but the 268V starts from a much higher base clock of 2.20 GHz.

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes the choice straightforward for most use cases. The Intel Core 7 251TE delivers roughly double the multi-threaded performance of the Core Ultra 7 268V in several key tests, including 139.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core and 194.7% higher integer math. Its 88th percentile standing versus the 268V's 74th confirms a higher overall performance tier. Its launch MSRP is $384. For desktop workloads that scale across cores, rendering, compression, encryption, and floating point, the 251TE is the clear selection.

The Core Ultra 7 268V is not without purpose. Its 17 watt TDP, 3 nm process, and single-thread PassMark win of 4,051 versus 3,568 indicate a processor optimized for efficiency and responsiveness in light tasks. Its 27.1% lead in the prime number test shows strength in latency-sensitive workloads. But the 268V's 8 threads cannot compete with the 251TE's 32 threads in any sustained multi-core scenario. The 268V also lacks ECC support and offers only 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, limiting its role in workstation or server contexts.

The data does not support a "one size fits all" conclusion. The 251TE wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the 268V wins the two single-thread PassMark tests and the prime number test. Users prioritizing raw throughput should select the 251TE. Users prioritizing low power draw and single-thread responsiveness in a mobile form factor should consider the 268V. The average benchmark scores, 41,650 versus 20,897, quantify the overall gulf between them.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE. It wins all multi-core tests in the head-to-head data, including 25,518 versus 10,653 in Cinebench R23 multi-core (139.5% delta) and 30,022 versus 19,297 in PassMark multi-thread (55.6% delta).

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V win any benchmarks?

A: Yes. It wins PassMark single-thread (4,051 versus 3,568, an 11.9% delta) and the PassMark find prime numbers test (192 versus 140, a 27.1% delta).

Q: How do their core counts compare?

A: The Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Core Ultra 7 268V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference?

A: The Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 268V has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Core 7 251TE supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 7 268V does not.

Q: What are their power ratings?

A: The Core 7 251TE has a TDP of 45 watts. The Core Ultra 7 268V has a TDP of 17 watts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 251TE | Intel Core Ultra 7 268V |

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

| Cores | 24 | 8 |

| Threads | 32 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.00 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 |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | Not listed |

| 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) | 12 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc 140V |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Launch MSRP | $384 | Not listed |

| Average Benchmark Score | 41,650 | 20,897 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 88 | 74 |