Intel Core 7 253PE vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between the Intel Core 7 253PE and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Out of 17 head-to-head comparisons, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus claims 15 wins, while the Core 7 253PE secures only 2. The margin of victory, however, tells a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus dominates in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 5981 against 2507 for the Core 7 253PE, a delta of -58.1% (the negative sign indicates the Core 7 253PE is behind). Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 21198 versus 10449, a -50.7% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers 39684 against 24880, a -37.3% difference. PassMark multi-thread confirms the pattern with 59439 versus 29271, a -50.8% delta. The data indicates the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus roughly doubles the multi-threaded throughput of the Core 7 253PE in several tests.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus also dominates in specific computational tasks. PassMark data compression shows 658724 against 339133, a -48.5% delta. Data encryption reaches 50008 versus 18385, a -63.2% gap. Extended instructions score 51290 against 21806, a -57.5% difference. Find prime numbers yields 519 versus 138, a -73.4% delta, one of the largest margins recorded. Floating point math shows 201773 against 80870, a -59.9% gap. Random string sorting delivers 80327 versus 32777, a -59.2% difference. Integer math shows a narrower gap at -30.7%, with 164839 against 114158. PassMark physics records 3387 versus 1845, a -45.5% delta.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus also wins in single-threaded PassMark tests. PassMark single thread scores 4951 against 3955, a -20.1% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 2992 versus 1475, a -50.7% gap, indicating a significant advantage in that specific workload.

The Core 7 253PE claims its two wins in specific Cinebench single-core tests. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 354 against 340, a 4.1% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core delivers 3512 against 2356, a 49.1% lead for the Core 7 253PE. This 49.1% margin is substantial, suggesting the Core 7 253PE has a particular strength in the R23 single-core workload that does not translate to other single-threaded tests.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall split. The Core 7 253PE averages 40557, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus averages 79574, placing it in the 95th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core 7 253PE include the Intel Core 5 223PE at 40585 (-0.1% delta), the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H at 40518 (0.1% delta), the Intel Xeon 6357P at 40630 (-0.2% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940H at 40431 (0.3% delta). The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus sits alongside the Intel Core i9-14900KF at 79371 (0.3% delta), the AMD EPYC 7413 at 80041 (-0.6% delta), the Intel Core i9-14900K at 79097 (0.6% delta), and the Intel Xeon w5-2565X at 80671 (-1.4% delta).

The Verdict

The data indicates two distinct performance profiles. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the clear choice for multi-threaded and parallel workloads. It delivers roughly double the performance of the Core 7 253PE in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, and it leads by 37.3% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. PassMark tests confirm this pattern with leads ranging from 30.7% to 73.4% depending on the workload. The 95th percentile ranking against all CPUs places it in the top tier of available processors.

The Intel Core 7 253PE offers a different value proposition. Its 49.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is a standout result, and its 4.1% edge in Cinebench R15 single-core shows it can hold its own in certain legacy workloads. The 87th percentile ranking indicates solid performance, but the data shows it is not in the same class as the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus for most tasks.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus also shows a higher single-threaded PassMark score, 4951 versus 3955, a 20.1% gap. This suggests the Core 7 253PE's Cinebench single-core wins are workload-specific rather than representative of a general single-thread advantage.

Strictly from the data, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the superior processor for anyone running multi-threaded applications, data compression, encryption, or floating-point math. The Core 7 253PE makes sense only for workloads that specifically benefit from its Cinebench R23 single-core performance, which appears to be a narrow niche.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing nodes and foundries. The Intel Core 7 253PE uses a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus integrates 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the transistor count and die size for the Core 7 253PE are not recorded in the database.

The core configurations differ significantly. The Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. This explains the multi-threaded performance gap, as the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has more than double the cores, though each core supports fewer threads.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 7 253PE provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus contribute to its higher throughput in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support varies. The Core 7 253PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports only DDR5 with dual-channel configuration and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both processors support ECC memory.

The Core 7 253PE uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop part, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses Intel BGA 2114 and is a mobile part, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a 55 TDP compared to 65 for the Core 7 253PE, indicating the mobile part achieves higher performance at lower thermal design power.

The Core 7 253PE integrates UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus integrates Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Core 7 253PE offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus offers 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 7 253PE does not. The Core 7 253PE was released on 2026-03-08 with a launch MSRP of $384, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus was released on 2026-03-16 with no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: What is the biggest performance margin in the head-to-head tests?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus leads by 73.4% with a score of 519 versus 138.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Core 7 253PE wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 354 versus 340 (4.1% lead) and Cinebench R23 single-core with 3512 versus 2356 (49.1% lead).

Q: How do the processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Core 7 253PE averages 40557 and ranks in the 87th percentile, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus averages 79574 and ranks in the 95th percentile.

Q: What are the manufacturing process differences?

A: The Core 7 253PE uses a 10 nm process from Intel, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 7 253PE and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus support ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins in every PassMark test recorded, including data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single thread. It also wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, and R23 multi-core. This makes it the clear choice for rendering, scientific computing, data processing, and any workload that scales with core count.

The Core 7 253PE wins in Cinebench R15 single-core and Cinebench R23 single-core. The 49.1% margin in R23 single-core is significant and suggests this processor has a particular strength in that specific benchmark. The data indicates this advantage does not extend to PassMark single-thread tests, where the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus leads by 20.1%. The Core 7 253PE's wins are therefore narrow and workload-specific.

The specification differences reinforce the performance split. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has more than double the cores (24 versus 10), larger per-core caches (192 KB L1 versus 80 KB, 3 MB L2 versus 2 MB), and more shared L3 cache (36 MB versus 33 MB). It also has higher memory bandwidth (102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s) and more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16). The 3 nm process from TSMC versus the 10 nm process from Intel contributes to the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus achieving these results at a lower TDP (55 versus 65).

The Core 7 253PE offers DDR4 support, which the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus does not, and uses a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1700) versus a mobile socket (Intel BGA 2114). The production status for both processors is listed as Active.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core 7 253PE and Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus differ in nearly every major specification category.

Core and thread counts differ substantially: 10 cores and 20 threads for the Core 7 253PE versus 24 cores and 24 threads for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Base clocks differ: 2.50 GHz for the Core 7 253PE versus 2.70 GHz for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Boost clocks are identical at 5.50 GHz.

TDP differs: 65 for the Core 7 253PE versus 55 for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 7 253PE versus Intel BGA 2114 for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Codename and generation differ: Bartlett Lake for the Core 7 253PE versus Arrow Lake-HX Refresh for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Process node and foundry differ: 10 nm and Intel for the Core 7 253PE versus 3 nm and TSMC for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Transistor count and die size are recorded only for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus: 17,800 million transistors and 243 mm².

Cache sizes differ at every level. L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the Core 7 253PE versus 192 KB per core for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. L2 cache is 2 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. L3 cache is 33 MB shared versus 36 MB shared.

Memory support differs: DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 7 253PE versus DDR5 only for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Memory bandwidth differs: 89.6 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s.

PCIe lanes differ: 16 lanes for the Core 7 253PE versus 20 lanes for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 7 253PE versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Market segment differs: Desktop for the Core 7 253PE versus Mobile for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Release dates differ: 2026-03-08 for the Core 7 253PE versus 2026-03-16 for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Multiplier unlock status differs: locked for the Core 7 253PE versus unlocked for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Launch MSRP is recorded only for the Core 7 253PE at $384. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has no recorded launch MSRP.

Part numbers differ: SA4QE for the Core 7 253PE versus SADSS for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.