Intel Core 7 253PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a dominant performance profile for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX, which wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The single exception is a notable one: the Intel Core 7 253PE takes the PassMark integer math test with a score of 114,158 against 92,150, a 23.9% advantage. That result indicates the desktop part has a specific strength in integer-heavy workloads, but it is an isolated victory in an otherwise one-sided comparison.

Across the Cinebench suite, the Core Ultra 5 245HX is consistently ahead by a similar margin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ultra 5 scores 3,261 versus 2,507, a 23.1% lead. The single-core R15 result is 460 against 354, also a 23% gap. The R20 multicore test shows 13,590 versus 10,449, and the single-core test shows 1,918 versus 1,475, both with the same 23.1% delta. The R23 multicore score is 32,358 versus 24,880, and the R23 single-core score is 4,568 versus 3,512, again a 23.1% difference. This consistency across all three Cinebench versions suggests a uniform architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

The PassMark suite reveals a wider spread of margins. The largest deficit for the Core 7 253PE is in the find prime numbers test, where it scores 138 versus 359, a 61.6% shortfall. Data encryption shows a 38.8% gap, with the Ultra 5 scoring 30,022 versus 18,385. Extended instructions favor the Ultra 5 by 30.1%, with scores of 31,212 versus 21,806. Random string sorting goes to the Ultra 5 by 31.2%, 47,616 versus 32,777. Floating point math shows a 33% lead for the Ultra 5, 120,735 versus 80,870. Physics tests show a 27% gap, 2,526 versus 1,845.

The multithread PassMark score favors the Ultra 5 at 38,069 versus 29,271, a 23.1% delta that matches the Cinebench multicore pattern. Data compression is closer, with the Ultra 5 leading 393,071 versus 339,133, a 13.7% margin. Single-thread PassMark scores show an 11.7% gap, 4,481 versus 3,955. The average benchmark score for the Ultra 5 is 48,287, compared to 40,557 for the Core 7 253PE, placing the Ultra 5 in the 90th percentile of all CPUs versus the 87th percentile for the desktop part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design families and target different market segments. The Intel Core 7 253PE is a desktop processor based on the Bartlett Lake codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process node and fabricated by Intel. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform and carries a 65 TDP. The Core Ultra 5 245HX is a mobile processor from the Arrow Lake-HX family, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC. It uses the Intel BGA 2114 socket and has a 55 TDP.

Core configuration differs substantially. The Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX has 14 cores and 14 threads. The desktop part uses simultaneous multithreading to double its thread count, whereas the mobile part does not. Base clock speeds favor the Ultra 5 at 3.10 GHz versus 2.50 GHz, but the boost clock favors the Core 7 at 5.50 GHz versus 5.10 GHz.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The Core 7 253PE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 245HX has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 on the desktop part is offset by the larger per-core L1 and L2 on the mobile part. The Ultra 5 also has a documented transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the Core 7 has no listed transistor or die size data.

Memory support diverges. The Core 7 253PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the memory bandwidth differs: 89.6 GB/s for the Core 7 versus 102.4 GB/s for the Ultra 5. ECC memory is supported on the Core 7 but not on the Ultra 5. PCIe lanes also differ, with the Core 7 offering Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes and the Ultra 5 offering Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics are different as well. The Core 7 253PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 48 execution units. The multiplier is locked on the Core 7 and unlocked on the Ultra 5. Release dates place the Core 7 at 2026-03-08 and the Ultra 5 at 2025-01-12. The Core 7 has a launch MSRP of $384, while the Ultra 5 has no listed launch MSRP. The Core 7 carries part number SA4QE, and the Ultra 5 carries SRVFM.

The Verdict

The recorded data points clearly toward the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX for most applications. Its average benchmark score of 48,287 exceeds the Core 7 253PE's 40,557 by a substantial margin, and its 90th percentile ranking versus 87th confirms the gap. The Ultra 5 wins every Cinebench test, every PassMark test except integer math, and does so with a lower TDP of 55 versus 65. The mobile part also offers higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s and more PCIe lanes at 20 versus 16.

The Core 7 253PE has specific advantages that matter in select scenarios. Its 23.9% lead in PassMark integer math suggests strength in integer-heavy computation. The larger shared L3 cache of 33 MB versus 24 MB could benefit workloads with large working sets. ECC memory support makes it suitable for reliability-sensitive desktop builds. The higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 5.10 GHz gives it a peak frequency advantage, and the dual memory support for DDR4 and DDR5 offers platform flexibility.

The Ultra 5's wins are broad and consistent. The 61.6% margin in prime number finding, the 38.8% gap in encryption, and the 30.1% lead in extended instructions all point to a processor with stronger per-core execution capabilities. The single-thread PassMark score of 4,481 versus 3,955 confirms that the Ultra 5's slower boost clock does not translate into slower single-threaded performance. Its 14 physical cores without hyperthreading still deliver higher multicore throughput than the 10-core, 20-thread configuration of the Core 7.

For mobile platforms, the Ultra 5 is the only option of the two, given its BGA 2114 socket and mobile market segment. The Core 7's desktop socket and desktop segment make it the choice for Socket 1700 builds. The unlocked multiplier on the Ultra 5 versus the locked multiplier on the Core 7 is a differentiating factor for overclocking, though the data does not include overclocked results. The release timeline favors the Ultra 5 as the earlier product, with the Core 7 arriving later.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 253PE | Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX |

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

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 20 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 | 55 |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-HX |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 243 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 33 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | Not listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SA4QE | SRVFM |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX has an average benchmark score of 48,287, compared to 40,557 for the Intel Core 7 253PE.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: In PassMark single-thread testing, the Core Ultra 5 245HX scores 4,481 versus 3,955 for the Core 7 253PE, an 11.7% lead. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a 23.1% gap, with scores of 4,568 versus 3,512.

Q: Does the Core 7 253PE win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Core 7 253PE wins the PassMark integer math test with a score of 114,158 versus 92,150 for the Core Ultra 5 245HX, a 23.9% advantage.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.