Intel Core 7 253PE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 7 253PE and Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL occupy different positions in the database, and the recorded measurements make the separation clear. The Core 7 253PE holds an average benchmark score of 40557, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The Core Ultra 7 155HL, by contrast, has an average benchmark score of 0, which places it in the 50th percentile. That gap is not a subtle one; it reflects a processor with a full suite of recorded results versus one with no recorded benchmark entries at all.

Because the head-to-head benchmark table is empty, the comparison relies on the individual benchmark suite recorded for the Core 7 253PE. In Cinebench R23, the Core 7 253PE scores 24880 in multi-core and 3512 in single-core. Those numbers indicate a processor that can handle heavily threaded workloads and still deliver strong single-thread responsiveness. In Cinebench R20, the same chip scores 10449 multi-core and 1475 single-core. The R15 results follow the same pattern: 2507 multi-core and 354 single-core. The single-core scores across all three Cinebench versions are consistent with the 5.50 GHz boost clock recorded in the specification data.

PassMark results for the Core 7 253PE reinforce the multi-threaded strength. The multithread score is 29271, while single-thread sits at 3955. Integer math reaches 114158, floating point math reaches 80870, and extended instructions score 21806. Data compression scores 339133, and data encryption scores 18385. Random string sorting hits 32777, and the physics test records 1845. Find prime numbers is the outlier at 138, a modest result that suggests the workload does not scale as well on this architecture.

The nearest rival data in the database places the Core 7 253PE in a tight cluster. The Intel Core 5 223PE has an average score of 40585, which is 0.1% below the 253PE. The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H scores 40518, 0.1% above. The Intel Xeon 6357P scores 40630, 0.2% below. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940H scores 40431, 0.3% above. These deltas are all within a fraction of a percent, meaning the Core 7 253PE trades blows with those chips rather than dominating or being dominated. The Core Ultra 7 155HL has no nearest rival data in the database, so no comparable positioning is possible.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different nodes and different underlying designs. The Core 7 253PE uses a 10 nm process and carries the codename Bartlett Lake. It is part of the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation and uses Intel Socket 1700. It has 10 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The thermal design power is 65 W, and the multiplier is locked.

The Core Ultra 7 155HL uses a 7 nm process and carries the codename Meteor Lake-PS. It belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1 and the Ultra 7 (Meteor Lake-PS) generation. It uses Intel Socket 1851. It has 16 cores and 22 threads, with a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The thermal design power is 45 W, and the multiplier is also locked.

The cache layouts differ. The Core 7 253PE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 7 155HL has 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core 7 253PE therefore carries more total L3, while the Core Ultra 7 155HL has a larger per-core L1.

Memory support also separates them. The Core 7 253PE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 7 155HL supports DDR5 with a note that it depends on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory and both record the same memory bandwidth figure of 89.6 GB/s. The Core 7 253PE supports ECC memory; the Core Ultra 7 155HL does not.

PCIe connectivity is another point of divergence. The Core 7 253PE uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the CPU. The Core Ultra 7 155HL uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the CPU. That is a meaningful difference for expansion and storage bandwidth, especially for users who plan to run multiple Gen 5 devices.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 7 253PE uses UHD Graphics 730. The Core Ultra 7 155HL uses Arc Xe-LPG 128EU, which is a substantially more capable integrated GPU on paper. The release dates are also different: the Core Ultra 7 155HL launched in April 2024, while the Core 7 253PE launched in March 2026. Both processors are listed as Active in production status, and both target the desktop market segment.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 253PE wins on raw CPU performance based on the recorded data. Its Cinebench and PassMark scores show a processor that is strong in both single-thread and multi-thread workloads. The 5.50 GHz boost clock gives it an edge in lightly threaded tasks, and the 20 threads allow it to sustain heavy parallel loads. The 33 MB of shared L3 helps with workloads that benefit from a larger cache footprint. The Gen 5 PCIe support also makes it the better choice for users who need maximum bandwidth to storage or discrete GPUs.

The Core Ultra 7 155HL wins on efficiency and integrated graphics. The 45 W TDP is lower than the 65 W TDP of the Core 7 253PE, which means less heat to manage in compact systems. The Arc Xe-LPG 128EU integrated GPU is a more capable iGPU than UHD Graphics 730, so systems that rely on integrated graphics for media playback, light gaming, or GPU-accelerated tasks will see a benefit. The 16 cores and 22 threads give it more physical cores, even though the boost clock is lower. The 7 nm process node is newer than the 10 nm node used by the Core 7 253PE, which typically translates to better power efficiency per transistor.

The Core 7 253PE also wins on memory flexibility. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 7 155HL is limited to DDR5. For a builder with existing DDR4 memory, the Core 7 253PE offers a path that the Core Ultra 7 155HL cannot match. ECC support on the Core 7 253PE is another advantage for workstation or server-adjacent use cases where memory corruption is a concern.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL has 16 cores and 22 threads, while the Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL does not.

Q: What are the TDP values for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has a TDP of 65 W. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the PCIe configuration for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the CPU. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the CPU.

The Verdict

The data in the database points to a clear split. The Intel Core 7 253PE is the stronger CPU in terms of recorded benchmark performance. Its average benchmark score of 40557 and 87th percentile ranking put it in a different class from the Core Ultra 7 155HL, which has no recorded benchmark scores and sits at the 50th percentile. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24880 and single-core score of 3512 indicate a processor that handles both heavily threaded and lightly threaded workloads well. The nearest rivals, all within 0.3% in either direction, confirm that the Core 7 253PE is competitive with a specific tier of processors rather than a category outlier.

The Core Ultra 7 155HL has no recorded benchmark data, so a direct performance comparison is not possible from the database. What the specification data shows is a processor designed for a different trade-off. The 45 W TDP, the 16 cores, the 7 nm node, and the Arc Xe-LPG 128EU integrated GPU suggest a focus on efficiency and integrated graphics capability. The 24 MB of shared L3 and the 4.80 GHz boost clock are lower than the Core 7 253PE, but the chip does offer more physical cores and a newer process node.

For a builder who prioritizes CPU performance, the choice is the Intel Core 7 253PE. It has the recorded scores to back it up, the higher boost clock, the larger L3 cache, and the Gen 5 PCIe support. For a builder who prioritizes lower power draw and a better integrated GPU, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL is the one to consider, but the lack of benchmark data means its real-world performance is unverified in this database.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 7 253PE | Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL |

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

| Cores | 10 | 16 |

| Threads | 20 | 22 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Meteor Lake-PS |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 (depends on motherboard) |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG 128EU |

| Release Date | March 2026 | April 2024 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $438 |

The two processors are built for different priorities. The Core 7 253PE offers higher clocks, more cache, broader memory support, ECC, and faster PCIe. The Core Ultra 7 155HL offers more cores, a newer process node, a better integrated GPU, and lower power draw. Both have locked multipliers, both are desktop parts, and both are currently Active in production.