Intel Core 7 253PQE vs Intel Processor N150 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data leaves no ambiguity about the performance hierarchy between these two processors. The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins every single head-to-head comparison, and the margins are extreme. In the Cinebench R23 multicore test, the Core 7 253PQE scores 31,390 points against the N150's 2,590.5 points, a delta of 1,111.7%. That is not a competitive gap; it is a different performance class entirely.

The single-core results tell a similar story, though with smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 7 253PQE posts 4,431 points versus 935 points for the N150, a 373.9% advantage. The older Cinebench R15 suite shows the same pattern: the Core 7 253PQE delivers 3,163 points in multicore against 422.5 points for the N150, a 648.6% lead, and 446 points in single-core versus 153.15 points, a 191.2% lead.

Looking at the aggregate benchmark average, the Core 7 253PQE sits at 55,919 points, which places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs in the database. The N150 averages just 1,025 points, landing in the 28th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core 7 253PQE are the Intel Core i9-14900HX (average score 56,004, just 0.2% higher), the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 (56,273, 0.6% higher), and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470 (56,306, 0.7% higher). The Core 7 253PQE is essentially at parity with those high-end parts, trailing by less than one percent. The N150's nearest rivals are markedly older or lower-end parts: the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T (1,024, 0.1% higher), the Intel Core i3-4340 (1,026, 0.1% lower), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U (1,024, 0.1% higher), and the Intel Core i7-5650U (1,027, 0.2% higher). The N150 competes with a decade-old desktop processor, not with anything current.

In the specific workload tests recorded for the Core 7 253PQE, the PassMark results show substantial throughput: 487,335 in data compression, 255,015 in data encryption, 32,390 in extended instructions, 105,279 in floating point math, and 137,795 in integer math. The N150 has no recorded results in these tests, which means the database only captures its Cinebench performance. The Core 7 253PQE also records 41,656 in PassMark multithread and 4,389 in single-thread, while the N150's single-thread result from Cinebench R23 (935) is the closest comparable figure, and it trails by roughly 374%.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is as wide as the performance gap. The Intel Core 7 253PQE is built on the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 7 generation, and uses a 10 nm process from Intel. It packs 10 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The N150, by contrast, uses the Twin Lake architecture, also on a 10 nm process, but with only 4 cores and 4 threads, a base clock of 0.10 GHz (essentially a placeholder for an extremely low idle state), and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. The Core 7 253PQE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The N150 has 96 KB of L1 per core, but only 2 MB of shared L2 and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core 7 253PQE's L3 cache is 5.5 times larger, and its L2 is allocated per core rather than shared across the entire chip, which favors heavily threaded workloads.

Memory support also separates the two. The Core 7 253PQE supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and ECC memory support. The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but only in single-channel, yielding 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth, less than half. The N150 lacks ECC support. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Core 7 253PQE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the N150 offers Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only).

The integrated graphics are different tiers: the Core 7 253PQE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the N150 uses UHD Graphics 730. The Core 7 253PQE is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with a TDP of 125 watts, whereas the N150 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1264 with a TDP of just 6 watts. That 119-watt TDP difference explains the performance chasm: the Core 7 253PQE is designed to draw substantial power and deliver sustained throughput, while the N150 is engineered for minimal power consumption in compact, fanless systems.

The Core 7 253PQE was released on March 8, 2026, with a launch MSRP of $409. The N150 was released on November 19, 2024, and has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The Core 7 253PQE is listed as an active production part with part number SA4QA, and the N150 is also active with part number SRPNR. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 253PQE wins every recorded benchmark category. Its strengths are most pronounced in multicore workloads, where the combination of 10 cores, 20 threads, and large shared L3 cache delivers results that rival the top-tier mobile and desktop parts in the database. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 31,390 is more than 12 times the N150's result, and even the single-core score of 4,431 is nearly five times higher. For tasks like rendering, video encoding, scientific computation, or any workload that scales with thread count, the Core 7 253PQE is in a completely different league.

The PassMark results for the Core 7 253PQE fill in the picture for specific workloads. Data compression at 487,335 and integer math at 137,795 indicate strong performance for database workloads, compilation, and general productivity. Floating point math at 105,279 points to capable scientific and simulation performance. Extended instructions at 32,390 and data encryption at 255,015 show that the chip handles cryptography and vectorized code well. The N150 has no recorded results in these tests, so the database offers no evidence of competitive performance in these areas.

The N150's only realistic win is in power efficiency, though the database does not include direct power consumption or thermal measurements beyond TDP. With a 6-watt TDP against the Core 7 253PQE's 125 watts, the N150 is designed for systems where power draw and heat dissipation are the primary constraints. Its 4 cores and 4 threads with a 3.60 GHz boost clock are sufficient for light desktop tasks, and its support for LPDDR5 memory in a single-channel configuration suggests an intended use in low-power laptops or mini PCs. The N150's nearest rivals in the database, including the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T and the Intel Core i3-4340, are all older desktop parts, which indicates that the N150's performance level is roughly equivalent to a mid-range processor from a decade ago.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the Core 7 253PQE's 5.70 GHz boost clock and 4,431 Cinebench R23 single-core score put it ahead of the N150 by 373.9%. The N150's 935 score is sufficient for basic web browsing and office applications, but the Core 7 253PQE delivers more than enough headroom for demanding single-threaded applications such as spreadsheet recalculation, scripting, or legacy software that relies on one core.

The Verdict

The data shows two processors designed for opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The Intel Core 7 253PQE is a high-performance desktop part that sits in the 91st percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 55,919. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-14900HX, AMD Ryzen AI Max 390, AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470, and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX, all within 1.1% of its average score. Anyone building a desktop system for demanding workloads, whether that is content creation, software development, or heavy multitasking, should look at the Core 7 253PQE as a top-tier option. The 20 threads, 33 MB of L3 cache, dual-channel memory with ECC support, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity all point to a workstation-class part.

The Intel Processor N150 is a low-power mobile chip in the 28th percentile, with an average benchmark score of 1,025. Its nearest rivals are all older or lower-end parts, which means it is positioned at the entry level of the current processor market. The N150 is appropriate for systems where the 6-watt TDP is the overriding factor, such as fanless mini PCs, thin laptops, or embedded devices. Its single-channel memory and 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes limit its expansion and bandwidth capabilities, but those constraints are acceptable in a chip designed for basic tasks.

The choice between the two depends entirely on the use case. The Core 7 253PQE's launch MSRP of $409, its 125-watt TDP, and its desktop socket mean it is for users who need sustained performance and have the power budget and physical space for a full desktop platform. The N150's lack of a recorded launch MSRP, its 6-watt TDP, and its BGA socket mean it is for OEM designs where low power consumption and compact form factors are non-negotiable. The benchmark data does not support any scenario where the N150 outperforms the Core 7 253PQE, and no recorded workload shows the N150 winning. The Core 7 253PQE is the clear performance choice; the N150 is the clear efficiency choice.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core 7 253PQE in multicore workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 7 253PQE scores 31,390 against the N150's 2,590.5, a 1,111.7% lead. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 3,163 versus 422.5, a 648.6% lead.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The Core 7 253PQE scores 4,431 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 935 for the N150, a 373.9% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 446 against 153.15, a 191.2% lead.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Core 7 253PQE also has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, while the N150 has a base clock of 0.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Core 7 253PQE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The N150 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core 7 253PQE's L3 cache is substantially larger.

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The Core 7 253PQE supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC. The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 in single-channel with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC.

Q: How do the processors compare in the overall database rankings?

A: The Core 7 253PQE has an average benchmark score of 55,919 and sits in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The N150 has an average score of 1,025 and sits in the 28th percentile. The Core 7 253PQE's nearest rivals are all within 1.1% of its score, while the N150's nearest rivals are all within 0.2%.