Intel Core 7 253PQE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core 7 253PQE, which wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core 7 253PQE scores 4431 against 2044 for the Core Ultra 5 338H, a lead of 116.8 percent. That gap is nearly matched in PassMark integer math, where the Core 7 253PQE posts 137795 versus 64934, a 112.2 percent advantage.

Multi-core rendering workloads also favor the desktop part heavily. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 7 253PQE records 31390, which is 92.2 percent ahead of the Core Ultra 5 338H’s 16331. The Cinebench R20 multi-core result shows a 29.1 percent edge (13183 vs 10213), while Cinebench R15 multi-core delivers a 26.3 percent difference (3163 vs 2504). The Core 7 253PQE also leads in PassMark multi-thread with 41656 against 28717, a 45.1 percent improvement.

Single-thread performance beyond Cinebench R23 shows a smaller but still meaningful gap. The PassMark single-thread tests record 4389 for the Core 7 253PQE versus 4180 for the Core Ultra 5 338H, a 5 percent difference. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 29.1 percent lead (1861 vs 1441), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 46.2 percent lead (446 vs 305).

The Core 7 253PQE dominates memory-related and encryption workloads as well. PassMark data compression scores 487335 versus 276539, a 76.2 percent gap. Data encryption shows 25515 against 21367, a 19.4 percent edge. Extended instructions deliver 32390 versus 23906, a 35.5 percent lead. Floating-point math records 105279 against 84067, a 25.2 percent advantage. Random string sorting goes to the Core 7 253PQE with 54222 versus 34082, a 59.1 percent difference. Physics scores 2970 versus 2697, a 10.1 percent lead.

The sole win for the Core Ultra 5 338H appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 304 against 206, a 32.2 percent advantage. That single result does not offset the overall pattern: the Core 7 253PQE’s average benchmark score is 55919, compared to 33989 for the Core Ultra 5 338H. The desktop chip also sits at the 91st percentile among all CPUs, while the mobile part sits at the 84th percentile.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the Core 7 253PQE is nearly tied with the Intel Core i9-14900HX (delta -0.2 percent), slightly behind the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 (delta -0.6 percent) and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470 (delta -0.7 percent), and ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX by 1.1 percent. The Core Ultra 5 338H sits within a narrow band of its own rivals: it trails the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H by 0.3 percent, leads the Intel Core i7-12800HX by 0.3 percent, leads the Intel Xeon 6353P by 0.4 percent, and trails the AMD EPYC 4244P by 0.7 percent.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins 16 of 17 recorded comparisons. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins only PassMark find prime numbers.

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

A: The Core 7 253PQE leads by 116.8 percent in Cinebench R23 single-core (4431 vs 2044), by 46.2 percent in Cinebench R15 single-core (446 vs 305), and by 5 percent in PassMark single-thread (4389 vs 4180).

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Core 7 253PQE records an average benchmark score of 55919, while the Core Ultra 5 338H records 33989. The Core 7 253PQE sits at the 91st percentile, and the Core Ultra 5 338H sits at the 84th percentile.

Q: How does the Core 7 253PQE compare to its nearest rivals?

A: It is 0.2 percent behind the Intel Core i9-14900HX, 0.6 percent behind the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390, 0.7 percent behind the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470, and 1.1 percent ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX.

Q: How does the Core Ultra 5 338H compare to its nearest rivals?

A: It is 0.3 percent behind the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H, 0.3 percent ahead of the Intel Core i7-12800HX, 0.4 percent ahead of the Intel Xeon 6353P, and 0.7 percent behind the AMD EPYC 4244P.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core 7 253PQE boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 338H boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel product lines and process nodes. The Core 7 253PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on Intel’s 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake architecture (Panther Lake-H generation) on Intel’s 3 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the node difference reflects a newer fabrication process for the mobile part.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The desktop chip uses simultaneous multithreading, giving it two threads per core; the mobile chip does not. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the Core 7 253PQE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 338H has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The mobile part has a larger per-core L1 and L2, but the desktop part has nearly double the total L3.

Memory support is another major split. The Core 7 253PQE supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X in a dual-channel configuration with 136.5 GB/s of bandwidth, but it does not support ECC. The mobile part’s memory bandwidth is 52.5 percent higher despite its overall lower compute scores.

PCIe connectivity differs in lane count. The Core 7 253PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 338H provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ: the Core 7 253PQE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 5 338H uses Arc B370.

Market positioning is distinct. The Core 7 253PQE is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700, released on 2026-03-08, with a launch MSRP of $409. The Core Ultra 5 338H is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2540, released on 2026-01-04, with no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show differences in every major category. The Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for the Core 7 253PQE versus 1.90 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 338H. Boost clocks are 5.70 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. The TDP is 125 watts for the desktop part and 25 watts for the mobile part.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 7 253PQE versus Intel BGA 2540 for the Core Ultra 5 338H. Process nodes are 10 nm versus 3 nm. Cache configurations differ in each level: L1 is 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core, L2 is 2 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core, and L3 is 33 MB shared versus 18 MB shared.

Memory support differs in type and bandwidth: DDR4/DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s versus LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s. ECC support is present on the Core 7 253PQE and absent on the Core Ultra 5 338H. PCIe lanes are 16 versus 4, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 versus Arc B370. Market segments are Desktop versus Mobile. Release dates are 2026-03-08 versus 2026-01-04. The Core 7 253PQE has a launch MSRP of $409; the Core Ultra 5 338H has none recorded.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 7 253PQE is faster in nearly every measured workload, with particularly large leads in multi-core rendering (92.2 percent in Cinebench R23), integer math (112.2 percent), and data compression (76.2 percent). Its 91st percentile ranking and average score of 55919 put it in the same performance class as high-end mobile and workstation parts like the Intel Core i9-14900HX and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX, both within 1.1 percent.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is not without merit. It wins the prime number calculation test by 32.2 percent, and its 3 nm process node, higher memory bandwidth (136.5 GB/s), and larger per-core caches (192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2) reflect a more modern mobile design. Its 84th percentile and average score of 33989 place it alongside the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H and Intel Core i7-12800HX, within a 0.7 percent band.

The choice depends on the intended use case. For compute-heavy tasks, the Core 7 253PQE wins outright. Its multi-thread advantage is substantial, and even in single-threaded workloads it leads by 5 to 116.8 percent depending on the test. The Core Ultra 5 338H offers a much lower TDP (25 watts versus 125 watts) and a newer process node, but the benchmark results show it cannot match the desktop part’s throughput. The only scenario where the Core Ultra 5 338H appears preferable is one where the prime number workload is the primary concern, or where the mobile form factor and BGA 2540 socket are required. In all other measured categories, the Core 7 253PQE delivers higher scores, often by wide margins.