Intel Core 7 253PE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a decisive verdict: the Intel Core 7 253PE wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V takes only 3. The scale of the 253PE's victories is often massive, not marginal. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 253PE scores 24,880 against 10,301 for the 258V, a delta of 141.5%. That is the single largest performance gap in the entire comparison.

The multi-core advantage extends across every Cinebench generation. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 253PE posts 2,507 versus 1,596.5, a 57% lead. In R20 multi-core, the margin is 55.1% (10,449 vs 6,739). The 253PE also dominates PassMark integer math by 166.2% (114,158 vs 42,889) and data compression by 91.9% (339,133 vs 176,686). These are not close contests; the 253PE roughly doubles or nearly doubles the 258V in several integer-heavy workloads.

Single-core results are more nuanced but still favor the 253PE in most tests. Cinebench R23 single-core shows an 87.6% delta (3,512 vs 1,872) in favor of the 253PE. R20 single-core shows a 55.1% delta (1,475 vs 951), and R15 single-core shows a 24.2% delta (354 vs 285). However, PassMark single-thread tells a different story: the 258V scores 4,018 versus 3,955 for the 253PE, a 1.6% edge. That is a narrow win, but it is the only single-threaded benchmark where the 258V leads.

The 258V's other two wins are in specialized workloads. PassMark find prime numbers shows the 258V at 185 versus 138 for the 253PE, a 25.4% advantage. This is a notable reversal, as the 258V outperforms despite its lower core count and clock speeds. The 258V also wins PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread (both listed at 4,018 vs 3,955, both 1.6% deltas), which are duplicated entries in the data.

In the remaining tests, the 253PE's margins vary from moderate to large. PassMark data encryption favors the 253PE by 35.8% (18,385 vs 13,534). Extended instructions favor it by 48.2% (21,806 vs 14,717). Floating point math favors it by 41% (80,870 vs 57,372). Random string sorting favors it by 51.9% (32,777 vs 21,580). PassMark multithread favors it by 55% (29,271 vs 18,887). Physics favors it by 17.9% (1,845 vs 1,565). The only test where the 258V comes close outside its wins is PassMark single-thread, where the 1.6% delta is within measurement noise.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this asymmetry. The 253PE averages 40,557 across its benchmark suite, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The 258V averages 20,454, placing it in the 74th percentile. The nearest rivals for the 253PE include the Intel Core 5 223PE (avg 40,585, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H (avg 40,518, delta 0.1%), the Intel Xeon 6357P (avg 40,630, delta -0.2%), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940H (avg 40,431, delta 0.3%). The 253PE sits in a tightly clustered competitive band. The 258V's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (avg 20,468, delta -0.1%), AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (avg 20,425, delta 0.1%), AMD EPYC 9454P (avg 20,422, delta 0.2%), and AMD EPYC 7713 (avg 20,363, delta 0.4%). The 258V also sits in a tight cluster, but at roughly half the average performance level.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The 253PE is a desktop part built on Intel's 10 nm process node, produced at Intel's own foundry. Its codename is Bartlett Lake, and it belongs to the Core 7 generation. The 258V is a mobile part built on TSMC's 3 nm node, produced at TSMC. Its codename is Lunar Lake, and it belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. The process node difference is substantial: 10 nm versus 3 nm. The 258V's smaller node enables higher transistor density and better power efficiency, but the data shows it does not translate into raw performance superiority.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. The 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the 258V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The 258V has no hyper-threading equivalent, so its thread count equals its core count. The 253PE's 20 threads give it a 12-thread advantage, which directly explains its multi-core dominance. The 253PE also clocks higher: base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz, and boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. The 253PE's boost advantage of 0.70 GHz contributes to its single-core wins in Cinebench.

Cache layouts are entirely different. The 253PE uses 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB shared L3. The 258V uses 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, but only 12 MB shared L3. The 258V has more L1 and L2 per core, which may explain its PassMark prime number win, but the 253PE has nearly three times the shared L3 cache (33 MB vs 12 MB). That larger L3 pool helps in multi-core workloads that repeatedly access shared data.

Memory support also differs. The 253PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, with 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. The 258V supports only LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth. The 258V's memory bandwidth is 52.9% higher, which is a meaningful advantage for memory-bound tasks. However, the benchmark data does not show the 258V converting that bandwidth into wins outside of prime number finding and single-thread PassMark.

The 253PE supports ECC memory; the 258V does not. The 253PE uses Intel Socket 1700 and has a 65 W TDP. The 258V uses Intel BGA 2833 and has a 17 W TDP. The 258V's TDP is dramatically lower, which reflects its mobile targeting. The 253PE is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP, and the data shows it uses that power budget to deliver far higher performance. PCIe lanes also differ: the 253PE has Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes, while the 258V has Gen 5 with 4 CPU-only lanes. The 253PE's 12-lane advantage matters for desktop expansion.

Integrated graphics diverge as well. The 253PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the 258V uses Arc 140V. The Arc 140V is a more capable integrated GPU, but no graphics benchmarks are present in the data, so the comparison cannot be quantified. The 253PE launched on 2026-03-08 with a launch MSRP of $384. The 258V launched on 2024-09-23 with no launch MSRP recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core 7 253PE is the superior processor for raw compute performance, and it wins overwhelmingly in multi-threaded and single-threaded CPU workloads. Its 20 threads, 5.50 GHz boost clock, and 33 MB L3 cache deliver a 141.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and an 87.6% lead in R23 single-core. For any workload that relies on CPU throughput, the 253PE is the choice.

The 258V is not without merit. It wins PassMark find prime numbers by 25.4% and PassMark single-thread by 1.6%. It also offers higher memory bandwidth (136.5 GB/s vs 89.6 GB/s), a smaller 3 nm process node, lower 17 W TDP, and a more advanced integrated GPU (Arc 140V vs UHD Graphics 730). These traits suit power-constrained mobile systems, but the benchmark data shows the 258V trails the 253PE in 14 of 17 tests, often by wide margins.

The 253PE's average benchmark score is 40,557, which is 98.3% higher than the 258V's 20,454. The percentile gap is 87th versus 74th. If the use case is desktop computing with heavy multi-threading, the 253PE is the unambiguous winner. If the use case prioritizes power efficiency and portability, the 258V's lower TDP and mobile socket are relevant, but its performance deficits are severe.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins 3.

Q: What is the largest single performance gap between the two?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 253PE scores 24,880 versus 10,301 for the 258V, a delta of 141.5%.

Q: Does the 258V win any benchmark by a significant margin?

A: Yes, in PassMark find prime numbers, the 258V scores 185 versus 138, a 25.4% advantage.

Q: How do their thread counts compare?

A: The 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the 258V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The 253PE has 33 MB shared L3, while the 258V has 12 MB shared L3.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The 253PE supports ECC memory, but the 258V does not.

Where Each One Wins

The 253PE wins in almost every category. Multi-core Cinebench tests are its strongest territory: R15 (57% lead), R20 (55.1% lead), and R23 (141.5% lead). It also dominates PassMark integer math (166.2% lead), data compression (91.9% lead), data encryption (35.8% lead), extended instructions (48.2% lead), floating point math (41% lead), multithread (55% lead), physics (17.9% lead), and random string sorting (51.9% lead). In single-core Cinebench, the 253PE wins R15 (24.2% lead), R20 (55.1% lead), and R23 (87.6% lead).

The 258V wins only three tests. PassMark find prime numbers is its largest win at 25.4%. PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread are its other wins, both at 1.6% (4,018 vs 3,955). The 258V's wins are concentrated in specialized single-threaded integer operations and prime number calculation. Its higher per-core L1 cache (192 KB vs 80 KB) and higher memory bandwidth (136.5 GB/s vs 89.6 GB/s) may contribute to these narrow victories.

For users running CPU-intensive desktop workloads, the 253PE is the clear winner across the board. For users running prime number searches or lightly threaded tasks that favor the 258V's cache and bandwidth profile, the 258V offers a niche advantage, but it is not competitive in the broader benchmark suite.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 253PE | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |

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

| Cores | 10 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| 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) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc 140V |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | None recorded |

The specification table confirms the architectural gulf. The 253PE is a high-power desktop processor with more cores, threads, cache, and PCIe lanes, but it requires a 65 W TDP and uses an older 10 nm node. The 258V is a low-power mobile processor with a 17 W TDP, a 3 nm node, higher memory bandwidth, and more L1/L2 cache per core, but it has fewer cores, no ECC support, a smaller L3 pool, and fewer PCIe lanes. The benchmark results show that the 253PE's specifications translate into overwhelming performance advantages, while the 258V's efficiency-focused specifications only yield narrow wins in two specialized PassMark tests.