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

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts of the Intel Core 7 253PE and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. The 253PE uses hyperthreading to double its thread count, whereas the 155UL has fewer threads than cores, indicating a different core layout.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE boosts up to 5.50 GHz, which is substantially higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL's maximum boost of 4.80 GHz. The base clocks also differ, with the 253PE at 2.50 GHz and the 155UL at 1.70 GHz.

Q: How do the cache hierarchies compare between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has an 80 KB L1 cache per core, a 2 MB L2 cache per core, and a 33 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has a larger 112 KB L1 per core, the same 2 MB L2 per core, but a much smaller 12 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the power envelopes of these two desktop processors?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE is rated at 65 watts TDP, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL is rated at 15 watts TDP. This indicates the 155UL is designed for significantly lower power consumption.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE supports ECC memory, whereas the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL does not. Both chips use dual-channel memory with the same 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, but the 253PE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the 155UL's memory support depends on the motherboard.

Q: What are the integrated graphics solutions on each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL features a more capable Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated GPU.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 7 253PE and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL represent two distinct architectural approaches from Intel. The 253PE is based on Bartlett Lake, built on a 10 nm process node, and belongs to the Core 7 generation. It uses Intel Socket 1700 and features a traditional core layout with 10 cores and 20 threads. The 155UL, in contrast, is a Meteor Lake-PS part from the Core Ultra Series 1, fabricated on a 7 nm node, and uses Intel Socket 1851.

The core configurations reveal a fundamental design split. The 253PE has fewer physical cores (10) but more threads (20), indicating full hyperthreading support. The 155UL has more physical cores (12) but only 14 threads, suggesting a hybrid architecture where not all cores support simultaneous multithreading. This is consistent with Meteor Lake's use of different core types for efficiency and performance.

Cache allocations differ notably. The 253PE provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and a large 33 MB shared L3 cache. The 155UL offers 112 KB of L1 per core but only 12 MB of shared L3. The L2 cache is identical at 2 MB per core. The larger L3 on the 253PE is a significant advantage for workloads that benefit from large shared pools of fast memory.

Memory support also diverges. The 253PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, giving it flexibility across older and newer platforms. The 155UL supports DDR5 with the exact configuration dependent on the motherboard. Both processors run dual-channel memory at 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the 253PE but not on the 155UL, which positions the 253PE for reliability-focused tasks.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The 253PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the 155UL offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes. This means the 253PE has double the lane count and a newer generation, enabling faster connectivity for GPUs and storage devices. The integrated graphics also differ: the 253PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the 155UL has Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, which is a more modern and potentially more powerful iGPU.

The process nodes reflect different manufacturing generations. The 10 nm Bartlett Lake part is older, while the 7 nm Meteor Lake-PS is newer. The 155UL's 15-watt TDP is dramatically lower than the 253PE's 65-watt TDP, indicating the 155UL prioritizes energy efficiency over raw performance.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a clear split between the two processors based on workload characteristics. The Intel Core 7 253PE achieves its wins in scenarios that demand high single-thread performance and heavy multi-threaded compute. Its 5.50 GHz boost clock and 33 MB L3 cache give it a decisive edge in applications that are latency-sensitive or that scale well with thread count.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL, while lacking benchmark scores in the database, is designed for a different set of priorities. Its 15-watt TDP and 12-core hybrid layout make it suitable for thermally constrained environments where power efficiency is paramount. The Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics provide a stronger iGPU option for light graphical work without a discrete card.

The 253PE wins on memory flexibility with DDR4 and DDR5 support, plus ECC memory capability. This makes it a stronger candidate for workstation-style builds where data integrity matters. The 155UL's DDR5-only support and lack of ECC narrow its use case to consumer or embedded scenarios.

PCIe connectivity is another area where the 253PE wins decisively. Gen 5 with 16 lanes allows for high-bandwidth expansion, while the 155UL's Gen 4 with 8 lanes is more limited. Users planning to install multiple high-speed NVMe drives or a powerful discrete GPU would find the 253PE more accommodating.

The 155UL wins on power consumption and manufacturing node. A 15-watt TDP is exceptionally low for a desktop processor, making it viable for fanless or passively cooled systems. The 7 nm process node is more advanced than the 10 nm node of the 253PE, which contributes to the efficiency difference.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. Core count favors the 155UL with 12 cores versus 10, but thread count favors the 253PE with 20 threads versus 14. Base clock is 2.50 GHz on the 253PE and 1.70 GHz on the 155UL. Boost clock is 5.50 GHz versus 4.80 GHz.

TDP is a major differentiator: 65 watts for the 253PE and 15 watts for the 155UL. Socket compatibility differs with Socket 1700 on the 253PE and Socket 1851 on the 155UL. The architecture is Bartlett Lake for the 253PE and Meteor Lake for the 155UL, with codenames Bartlett Lake and Meteor Lake-PS respectively.

The process node is 10 nm for the 253PE and 7 nm for the 155UL. L1 cache per core is 80 KB versus 112 KB. L3 cache is 33 MB shared versus 12 MB shared. Memory support sees the 253PE handle DDR4 and DDR5, while the 155UL handles DDR5 dependent on motherboard. ECC memory is true on the 253PE and false on the 155UL.

PCIe capability differs with Gen 5 and 16 lanes on the 253PE versus Gen 4 and 8 lanes on the 155UL. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 versus Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. Release dates are 2026-03-08 for the 253PE and 2024-04-07 for the 155UL. The launch MSRP is $384 for the 253PE and $426 for the 155UL.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains benchmark results for the Intel Core 7 253PE but no recorded scores for the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL. This means a direct numerical comparison is only possible using the 253PE's absolute scores and its position relative to other processors in the database.

The 253PE achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24880 and a single-core score of 3512. In Cinebench R20, it scores 10449 multi-core and 1475 single-core. Cinebench R15 results are 2507 multi-core and 354 single-core. These figures indicate strong performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering tasks.

PassMark results for the 253PE show a multi-thread score of 29271 and a single-thread score of 3955. The integer math score is 114158, floating point math is 80870, and extended instructions score 21806. Data compression reaches 339133, while data encryption scores 18385. The find prime numbers test yields 138, random string sorting scores 32777, and physics scores 1845.

The 253PE holds an average benchmark score of 40557 and sits at the 87th percentile among all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core 5 223PE with an average score of 40585 and a delta of -0.1 percent, the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H at 40518 with a delta of 0.1 percent, the Intel Xeon 6357P at 40630 with a delta of -0.2 percent, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940H at 40431 with a delta of 0.3 percent.

These deltas place the 253PE in a tightly competitive cluster. It trails the Xeon 6357P by 0.2 percent, sits essentially tied with the Core 5 223PE, and edges out the Core Ultra X7 368H and Ryzen 9 7940H by 0.1 percent and 0.3 percent respectively. The 155UL has no benchmark scores and no nearest rivals recorded, so its performance position cannot be quantified from the database.

The Verdict

The data presents a lopsided comparison. The Intel Core 7 253PE has a full suite of benchmark results, a 87th percentile ranking, and an average score of 40557. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has no recorded benchmarks, a 50th percentile ranking, and an average score of zero. This gap in available data makes a performance verdict straightforward.

Users who require high multi-threaded throughput, strong single-thread speed, and extensive cache should select the Intel Core 7 253PE. Its 20 threads, 5.50 GHz boost, and 33 MB L3 cache provide a robust foundation for rendering, compilation, and simulation workloads. The ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity add further appeal for workstation and server-like deployments.

Users who prioritize power efficiency above all else should consider the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL. Its 15-watt TDP is a fraction of the 253PE's 65-watt rating, enabling compact, low-heat systems. The newer 7 nm process and Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics make it a sensible choice for basic desktop tasks where energy consumption matters more than peak performance.

The 155UL does offer more physical cores at 12 versus 10, but the lack of benchmark data prevents any assertion of real-world advantage. The 253PE's recorded scores demonstrate proven capability, while the 155UL remains an unquantified option in the database. For any workload where performance is a factor, the 253PE is the defensible choice based on available evidence.