Intel Core 7 253PE vs Intel Core 7 350 Comparison

The Intel Core 7 253PE and the Intel Core 7 350 occupy distinct positions in the desktop and mobile markets respectively, and the benchmark data reflects this split clearly. The 253PE, a 10-core desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the 350, a 6-core mobile processor on Intel BGA 1516, claims only 2 wins, both in single-threaded PassMark tests. The 253PE’s average benchmark score of 40557 places it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, whereas the 350’s 17779 average sits in the 71st percentile. This performance gap is not a marginal one; it is a structural difference in design intent, with the 253PE delivering raw multi-threaded throughput and the 350 prioritizing efficiency and compact integration.

Where Each One Wins

The 253PE dominates every multi-core heavy workload in the database. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 24880 against the 350’s 8030, a 209.8% advantage. PassMark integer math shows its largest lead at 238.4% (114158 versus 33734), and data compression follows at 137% (339133 versus 143123). These results indicate the 253PE is the clear choice for rendering, compilation, scientific computing, and any task that scales with thread count. Its 20 threads, enabled by Hyper-Threading on 10 cores, allow it to process parallel workloads far more effectively than the 350’s 6 threads.

The 350’s only victories come in PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, where it scores 4100 against the 253PE’s 3955, a 3.5% lead. This is a narrow margin, but it is consistent across both recorded instances of the test. The 350 also shows a smaller deficit in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 292 versus 354, a 21.2% gap, which is its closest single-core result in the Cinebench suite. For workloads that are strictly latency-bound and use a single thread, such as some legacy applications or lightly threaded games, the 350 holds a slight edge. However, this advantage is minimal and does not offset its substantial multi-core deficit.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different nodes and use different core designs. The 253PE is fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process and uses the Bartlett Lake architecture, while the 350 uses a 3 nm process with the Wildcat Lake architecture. The 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The 253PE’s higher boost clock, combined with twice the cores and over three times the threads, explains its dominance in multi-threaded benchmarks.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The 253PE provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The 350 provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 6 MB of shared L3. While the 350 has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, its total L3 is far smaller, which limits its ability to share data across cores. The 253PE’s 33 MB L3 is a major asset for multi-threaded workloads that require frequent data exchange between threads.

Memory support diverges as well. The 253PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and ECC support. The 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a single-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s and no ECC support. The 253PE’s dual-channel memory and higher bandwidth give it a further advantage in memory-intensive tasks. The 350’s single-channel bus is a deliberate trade-off for lower power consumption and smaller physical footprint.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The 253PE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 350 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). This makes the 253PE suitable for high-bandwidth expansion cards, such as discrete GPUs or NVMe storage, while the 350 is limited to more modest connectivity. The integrated graphics differ too: the 253PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the 350 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). The 350’s newer graphics architecture may offer better media capabilities, but the benchmark data does not include graphics tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the 253PE is in PassMark integer math, where it scores 114158 against the 350’s 33734, a delta of 238.4%. This test measures raw ALU throughput, and the 253PE’s combination of more cores, higher clocks, and larger L3 cache delivers a massive advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 253PE scores 24880 versus 8030, a 209.8% delta, which is the second-largest gap. This benchmark is heavily threaded, and the 253PE’s 20 threads overwhelm the 350’s 6.

Data compression shows a 137% delta (339133 versus 143123), reflecting the 253PE’s superior memory bandwidth and cache capacity. Floating-point math is 88.9% faster (80870 versus 42809), and random string sorting is 90.1% faster (32777 versus 17238). The 253PE also leads in Cinebench R20 multi-core by 94.5% (10449 versus 5373) and in R15 multi-core by 105.5% (2507 versus 1220). PassMark multithread shows a 93% delta (29271 versus 15170), and extended instructions show an 81% delta (21806 versus 12045). Data encryption is 68.2% faster (18385 versus 10933), and physics is 57.3% faster (1845 versus 1173). Even in Cinebench R20 single-core, the 253PE leads by 94.6% (1475 versus 758), which is surprising given the 350’s PassMark single-thread win; this suggests the 253PE’s higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz helps it in some single-threaded workloads.

The 350’s only wins are in PassMark single-thread and singlethread, both with a score of 4100 versus 3955, a 3.5% delta in its favor. This indicates that the 350’s Wildcat Lake cores, despite lower clocks, have a higher per-cycle instruction throughput in certain integer workloads. The 350 also shows a smaller relative deficit in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 107 versus 138, a 29% gap, which is the 253PE’s smallest win across all tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has an average benchmark score of 40557, while the Intel Core 7 350 has an average of 17779. The 253PE also ranks in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 350’s 71st percentile.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The 253PE has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, while the 350 has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The 253PE also has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 1.50 GHz for the 350.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 7 350 does not.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth figures?

A: The 253PE has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s with dual-channel support for DDR4 and DDR5. The 350 has a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s with single-channel support for DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: In which test does the Core 7 350 beat the Core 7 253PE?

A: The 350 wins PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread tests, scoring 4100 against the 253PE’s 3955, a 3.5% lead in both cases.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ.

| Specification | Intel Core 7 253PE | Intel Core 7 350 |

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

| Cores | 10 | 6 |

| Threads | 20 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Wildcat Lake |

| Generation | Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) | Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 33 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $469 |

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 7 253PE is the superior processor for compute-intensive tasks. Its 209.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 238.4% lead in PassMark integer math are decisive. Any workload that can use multiple threads will be dramatically faster on the 253PE. Its larger L3 cache, dual-channel memory, and higher boost clock provide a comprehensive advantage across rendering, compression, encryption, and physics simulations. The 253PE’s 87th percentile ranking versus the 350’s 71st percentile confirms its overall higher standing in the database.

The Intel Core 7 350 is not without merit. Its 3.5% win in PassMark single-thread shows that its Wildcat Lake cores are efficient, and its 3 nm process node and 15 W TDP indicate a design focused on low power and mobile integration. Its single-channel memory and 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes are appropriate for a mobile part. However, its 6 MB of L3 cache and 6 threads severely limit its multi-threaded performance, as evidenced by its 8030 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core. For users who need maximum throughput, the 253PE is the clear selection. For those who prioritize low power consumption and a small footprint, the 350 is the only one of the two designed for that purpose, but it cannot compete on raw performance. The 253PE wins 15 out of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, and that is the final verdict.