Intel Core 7 253PTE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data presents a sharply split picture between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core 7 253PTE dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H counters with strong showings across most PassMark tests. The final tally shows the Core Ultra 7 255H winning 10 of the 17 recorded comparisons, with the Core 7 253PTE taking 7.

The most decisive victory for the Core 7 253PTE comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 21276 against 9240, a commanding 130.3% lead. This is not a marginal edge; it is a doubling of the workload result. The single-core results also favor the desktop part. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 253PTE scores 3003 versus 1843, a 62.9% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 40% delta (8935 vs 6381), and R20 single-core shows 40.1% (1261 vs 900). Even Cinebench R15 follows the pattern, with a 41.5% multi-core lead (2144 vs 1515) and a 20.3% single-core lead (302 vs 251).

PassMark integer math is another major win for the 253PTE, scoring 119552 against 77975, a 53.3% advantage. This indicates strong performance in arithmetic-heavy integer workloads.

The Core Ultra 7 255H establishes its own set of wins, many of them substantial. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 303 score versus 82, a 72.9% lead for the Ultra 7. Floating point math goes to the Ultra 7 at 98796 versus 67209, a 32% lead. Data encryption favors the Ultra 7 by 33.7% (23395 vs 15500). Extended instructions show a 28% lead for the Ultra 7 (23755 vs 17099). Physics simulation results show the Ultra 7 ahead by 41.5% (2254 vs 1318). Data compression has the Ultra 7 at 298850 versus 275828, a 7.7% lead. Random string sorting shows a 21.7% lead (36058 vs 28227). PassMark multi-thread favors the Ultra 7 at 30703 versus 25031, an 18.5% lead. Single-thread results give the Ultra 7 a 12.1% lead (4317 vs 3794).

The average benchmark scores reflect the split. The Core 7 253PTE records an average score of 34962, placing it at the 84th percentile. The Core Ultra 7 255H records 33537, at the 83rd percentile. The nearest rivals for the 253PTE include the Intel Core i7-13800H at 34988 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i9-12900HX at 35003 (0.1% higher), the Intel Xeon 6349P at 34890 (0.2% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 5 150 at 34881 (0.2% lower). The Ultra 7 255H sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 240 at 33542 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS at 33667 (0.4% higher), the AMD Ryzen 5 7645HX at 33668 (0.4% higher), and the Intel Core i5-12600HX at 33375 (0.5% lower).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and target different physical platforms. The Intel Core 7 253PTE is based on Bartlett Lake architecture and uses the Intel Socket 1700. It is a desktop part. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H uses Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-H, and fits the Intel BGA 2049 socket. It is a mobile processor.

The core topology differs significantly. The 253PTE has 10 cores and 20 threads, indicating Hyper-Threading support. The 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multi-threading. The 253PTE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The 255H has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The desktop part has a higher boost ceiling, while the mobile part starts from a higher base frequency.

Process technology separates the two as well. The 253PTE is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process node. The 255H uses a 3 nm node from TSMC. The manufacturing foundry differs accordingly: Intel for the former, TSMC for the latter.

Cache hierarchies show different allocations. The 253PTE provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The 255H provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The mobile chip offers more per-core cache, while the desktop chip carries a larger shared L3 pool.

Memory interfaces diverge. The 253PTE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 255H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The recorded memory bandwidth for the 253PTE is 89.6 GB/s, while the 255H reaches 102.4 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe lane counts differ. The 253PTE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The 255H provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics also differ: the 253PTE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the 255H uses Arc Graphics 140T.

The thermal design power differs notably. The 253PTE has a TDP of 45 watts. The 255H has a TDP of 28 watts. This 17-watt gap aligns with the desktop versus mobile positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PTE is faster, scoring 21276 versus 9240 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H. This represents a 130.3% lead for the desktop processor.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 7 255H win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes. The Ultra 7 255H wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, including PassMark multi-thread (30703 vs 25031), floating point math (98796 vs 67209), data encryption (23395 vs 15500), and single-thread performance (4317 vs 3794).

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PTE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The 253PTE uses Hyper-Threading, while the 255H does not.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth figures compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has a higher recorded memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s. The Intel Core 7 253PTE records 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What are the TDP values for these two processors?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PTE has a TDP of 45 watts. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has a TDP of 28 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PTE has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The base clocks are 1.80 GHz for the 253PTE and 2.00 GHz for the 255H.

Specification Differences

The database records the following differing specifications. Core count: 10 for the 253PTE versus 16 for the 255H. Thread count: 20 versus 16. Base clock: 1.80 GHz versus 2.00 GHz. Boost clock: 5.40 GHz versus 5.10 GHz. TDP: 45 watts versus 28 watts. Socket: Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel BGA 2049. Codename: Bartlett Lake versus Arrow Lake-H. Process node: 10 nm (Intel) versus 3 nm (TSMC). L1 cache: 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core. L2 cache: 2 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. L3 cache: 33 MB shared versus 24 MB shared. Memory support: DDR4 and DDR5 versus DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. PCIe lanes: Gen 5, 16 lanes versus Gen 5, 20 lanes. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 versus Arc Graphics 140T. Market segment: Desktop versus Mobile. Release date: 2026-03-08 versus 2025-01-12. The 253PTE has a recorded launch MSRP of $384. The 255H has no launch MSRP in the database. Part numbers differ: SA4QK for the 253PTE and SRQAN for the 255H.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct performance profiles. The Intel Core 7 253PTE is the clear choice for Cinebench rendering and integer math workloads. Its 130.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 53.3% lead in PassMark integer math are the largest margins in the entire comparison set. The 253PTE also wins every single Cinebench test recorded, including single-core variants, and its higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz supports the single-threaded advantages seen in those tests.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H positions itself differently. It wins the majority of the head-to-head comparisons, 10 versus 7, and specifically excels in PassMark tests covering floating point math, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, physics, compression, and string sorting. Its 72.9% lead in prime number finding and 33.7% lead in encryption show strong specialized computation abilities. The 255H also holds a 12.1% lead in PassMark single-thread performance, which contrasts with the 253PTE's Cinebench single-core wins.

The average benchmark scores place the two processors close together, with the 253PTE at 34962 and the 255H at 33537. The percentile rankings are nearly identical: 84th for the 253PTE and 83rd for the 255H. The nearest rivals for each processor confirm this proximity, with delta percentages under 0.5% in most cases.

The decision rests on workload type. The 253PTE serves desktop users who prioritize rendering and integer-heavy compute, supported by its 45-watt TDP and Socket 1700 platform. The 255H serves mobile users who need a broader range of PassMark strengths, especially in floating point and encryption, within a 28-watt TDP and BGA 2049 socket. The 253PTE holds the rendering crown; the 255H holds the broader application-level advantage in the recorded PassMark suite.