Intel Core 7 253PE vs Intel Core i7-12850HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a genuine split between the Intel Core i7-12850HX and the Intel Core 7 253PE. The Core i7-12850HX wins 8 of the 17 recorded tests, while the Core 7 253PE wins 9. The distribution of those wins, however, is not even: the 253PE tends to win by larger margins in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads, while the 12850HX secures its victories with moderate but consistent leads in several multi-threaded and specialized tasks.

The single largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the Core 7 253PE in Cinebench R23 single-core. It scores 3512 against the 12850HX’s 1720.5, a delta of -51% (meaning the 12850HX trails by 51%). This is a dominant result, nearly doubling the older chip’s score. A similarly decisive gap appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the 253PE scores 354 versus 260.5, a 26.4% advantage. The 253PE also leads by 6.9% in PassMark single-thread (3955 vs 3683).

The most surprising reversal comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here the 253PE wins decisively with 24880 points, beating the 12850HX’s 16301.5 by 34.5%. This is unexpected given the 12850HX has more cores, and it indicates that the 253PE’s higher boost clock and architectural efficiency more than compensate for its lower core count in this workload. However, in the older Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests, the result flips: the 12850HX wins by 6.9% (2679 vs 2507) and 4.4% (10907 vs 10449) respectively.

In PassMark’s comprehensive multi-threaded test, the 12850HX takes the lead with 30627 points versus 29271, a 4.6% advantage. The 12850HX also shows strength in data compression, scoring 365829 against 339133, a 7.9% lead. The biggest percentage win for the 12850HX is in random string sorting, where it scores 40327 versus 32777, a 23% advantage. Data encryption also favors the 12850HX, with a 14.9% lead (21120 vs 18385).

The 253PE counters with wins in several math-oriented PassMark tests. It leads in integer math by 5.3% (114158 vs 108076), in find prime numbers by 19.6% (138 vs 111), and in floating point math by 1.9% (80870 vs 79337). The 253PE also edges ahead in physics (1845 vs 1813, a 1.7% lead) and extended instructions (21806 vs 22227, but the 12850HX wins this one by 1.9%). In Cinebench R20 single-core, the 12850HX wins by 4.3% (1539 vs 1475), which is an outlier against the other single-thread results. Overall, the data shows the 253PE as the clear leader in pure single-thread performance and in the most modern multi-core render test, while the 12850HX holds advantages in older multi-core tests and several specialized PassMark workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design eras and target different market segments, which explains much of the benchmark divergence. The Intel Core i7-12850HX is a mobile processor from the Core 12th Gen series, built on Intel’s Alder Lake architecture (codename Alder Lake-HX). It was released on May 9, 2022, and remains in active production. The Intel Core 7 253PE, in contrast, is a desktop processor from the Core 7 series, built on the Bartlett Lake architecture. Its release date is recorded as March 8, 2026, and it is also in active production.

Both chips are manufactured on a 10 nm process node at Intel’s own foundry. The 12850HX has a die size of 215 mm², while the 253PE’s die size is not recorded. The core configuration differs significantly: the 12850HX offers 16 cores and 24 threads, whereas the 253PE provides 10 cores and 20 threads. The 12850HX has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the 253PE runs at a base of 2.50 GHz and boosts to 5.50 GHz. This higher boost clock is likely a key factor in the 253PE’s single-thread dominance.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both have an L1 cache of 80 KB per core. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the 12850HX, but 2 MB per core on the 253PE. The shared L3 cache is 25 MB on the 12850HX and 33 MB on the 253PE. The larger L3 and per-core L2 on the 253PE contribute to its efficiency in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support is identical in type: both support DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus. The 253PE, however, has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the 12850HX’s memory bandwidth is not listed. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: the 12850HX offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the 253PE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well: the 12850HX comes with UHD Graphics 770, while the 253PE uses UHD Graphics 730.

The socket types are entirely different, confirming their distinct platforms. The 12850HX uses Intel BGA 1964 (a mobile socket), while the 253PE uses Intel Socket 1700 (a desktop socket). The 12850HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the 253PE is locked. The market segments are recorded as Mobile for the 12850HX and Desktop for the 253PE. The TDP also differs: 55 W for the 12850HX and 65 W for the 253PE.

The Verdict

The recorded data provides a clear, albeit nuanced, decision framework. The Intel Core 7 253PE is the superior choice for workloads that depend on single-thread performance. Its 51% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 26.4% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core are decisive. The 253PE also wins in the most demanding multi-threaded render test, Cinebench R23 multi-core, by 34.5%, despite having fewer cores. For users running modern rendering engines, video encoding, or any task that leverages the latest instruction sets and high boost clocks, the 253PE is the stronger option based on these measurements.

The Intel Core i7-12850HX, however, should not be dismissed. It wins in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, indicating better performance in older or differently optimized multi-threaded applications. It also leads in PassMark’s aggregate multi-thread test by 4.6%, and wins decisively in data compression (7.9%), data encryption (14.9%), and random string sorting (23%). For database workloads, file compression, and encryption tasks, the 12850HX’s higher core count (16 vs 10) delivers tangible benefits.

The overall average benchmark score favors the 12850HX: it records an average of 41779, while the 253PE records 40557. The 12850HX also ranks slightly higher in the percentile vs all CPUs, at 88th percentile versus the 253PE’s 87th. The nearest rivals for the 12850HX include the Intel Core 7 251TE (delta 0.3%), Intel Core i7-14700T (delta -0.3%), Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (delta 0.4%), and AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS (delta -0.4%). The 253PE’s nearest rivals are the Intel Core 5 223PE (delta -0.1%), Intel Core Ultra X7 368H (delta 0.1%), Intel Xeon 6357P (delta -0.2%), and AMD Ryzen 9 7940H (delta 0.3%). These close deltas indicate both processors sit in a tightly contested performance tier.

For a desktop user prioritizing raw single-thread speed and the latest multi-core render performance, the Core 7 253PE is the data-backed choice. For a mobile user or anyone running older multi-threaded benchmarks, compression, or encryption workloads, the Core i7-12850HX remains competitive and often ahead. The 253PE’s launch MSRP is $384, while the 12850HX’s launch MSRP is $428.

Specification Differences

The following specification fields differ between the Intel Core i7-12850HX and the Intel Core 7 253PE:

• Series: Core 12th Gen (12850HX) vs null (253PE)
• Cores: 16 (12850HX) vs 10 (253PE)
• Threads: 24 (12850HX) vs 20 (253PE)
• Base Clock: 2.10 GHz (12850HX) vs 2.50 GHz (253PE)
• Boost Clock: 4.80 GHz (12850HX) vs 5.50 GHz (253PE)
• TDP: 55 W (12850HX) vs 65 W (253PE)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1964 (12850HX) vs Intel Socket 1700 (253PE)
• Architecture: Alder Lake (12850HX) vs null (253PE)
• Codename: Alder Lake-HX (12850HX) vs Bartlett Lake (253PE)
• Generation: Core i7 (Alder Lake-HX) (12850HX) vs Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) (253PE)
• Die Size: 215 mm² (12850HX) vs null (253PE)
• L2 Cache: 1.25 MB (per core) (12850HX) vs 2 MB (per core) (253PE)
• L3 Cache: 25 MB (shared) (12850HX) vs 33 MB (shared) (253PE)
• Memory Bandwidth: null (12850HX) vs 89.6 GB/s (253PE)
• PCIe: Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) (12850HX) vs Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) (253PE)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 770 (12850HX) vs UHD Graphics 730 (253PE)
• Market Segment: Mobile (12850HX) vs Desktop (253PE)
• Release Date: 2022-05-09 (12850HX) vs 2026-03-08 (253PE)
• Launch MSRP: $428 (12850HX) vs $384 (253PE)
• Multiplier Unlocked: true (12850HX) vs false (253PE)
• Part Number: SRLGH (12850HX) vs SA4QE (253PE)

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-12850HX has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-12850HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor performs better in Cinebench R23 single-core?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE scores 3512, which is 51% higher than the Intel Core i7-12850HX’s score of 1720.5.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has 33 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i7-12850HX has 25 MB.

Q: Are both processors manufactured on the same process node?

A: Yes, both are manufactured on a 10 nm process node at Intel’s foundry.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-12850HX has an average benchmark score of 41779, compared to the Intel Core 7 253PE’s average of 40557.