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

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a decisive hierarchy between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus dominates the comparison, winning 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark matchups. Its average benchmark score of 79,574 places it at the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database, a full 11 percentile points higher than the Core 7 253PTE's 84th percentile ranking. The Core Ultra 9's average score is more than double that of the Core 7, which sits at 34,962.

The Core 7 253PTE claims only a single victory, but it is a significant one. In Cinebench R23 single-core testing, the Core 7 scores 3,003 against the Core Ultra 9's 2,356, a 27.5% advantage. This indicates that for workloads that depend on a single thread's maximum clock speed, the Core 7 holds a distinct edge. The Core 7's boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while slightly lower than the Core Ultra 9's 5.50 GHz, evidently translates into superior single-core performance in this specific test.

For all other workloads, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the clear choice. Its lead ranges from 11.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core to a massive 84.2% in the PassMark find prime numbers test. The data suggests that any user prioritizing multi-threaded compute, data processing, or encryption tasks should select the Core Ultra 9. The Core 7 is only relevant for users with a singular focus on Cinebench R23 single-core performance, although its loss in the R15 and R20 single-core tests complicates that picture.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The Core 7 253PTE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process node, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh architecture on TSMC's 3 nm process node. The fabrication difference is stark: the Core 7 uses Intel's own foundry, while the Core Ultra 9 is manufactured by TSMC. The Core Ultra 9 also has a listed transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the Core 7 has no listed transistor or die size data.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The Core 7 offers 10 cores and 20 threads, indicating Hyper-Threading support, whereas the Core Ultra 9 provides 24 cores and 24 threads, meaning it operates without simultaneous multi-threading. Despite having fewer cores, the Core 7's thread count of 20 is close to the Core Ultra 9's 24 threads. The Core Ultra 9 compensates with higher clock speeds: its base clock is 2.70 GHz versus the Core 7's 1.80 GHz, and its boost clock is 5.50 GHz versus 5.40 GHz.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9's larger per-core caches and slightly larger L3 pool contribute to its performance advantage in most tests.

Memory support differentiates the two as well. The Core 7 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 9 supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Core Ultra 9's memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s compared to the Core 7's 89.6 GB/s. Both processors support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also favors the Core Ultra 9, which provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Core 7 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 7 includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 9 includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The market segments also differ: the Core 7 is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 9 is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2114. The Core 7 has a launch MSRP of $384 and a locked multiplier, whereas the Core Ultra 9 has no listed launch MSRP and an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The multi-core Cinebench results show the Core Ultra 9's overwhelming strength. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 9 scores 5,981 against the Core 7's 2,144, a 64.2% lead. The R20 multicore test shows a similar pattern: 21,198 versus 8,935, a 57.8% gap. In R23 multicore, the Core Ultra 9 scores 39,684 versus 21,276, a 46.4% advantage. These results indicate that the Core Ultra 9's 24 cores provide substantial parallel processing capability despite the lack of Hyper-Threading.

Single-core results are mixed. The Core Ultra 9 wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 340 versus 302, an 11.2% margin, and R20 single-core with 2,992 versus 1,261, a 57.9% margin. However, the Core 7 wins R23 single-core with 3,003 versus 2,356, a 27.5% margin. This inconsistency in single-core results across Cinebench versions is notable. The R20 result is particularly striking, as the Core Ultra 9's score is more than double the Core 7's, suggesting a fundamental difference in how the two processors handle that workload.

PassMark tests reinforce the Core Ultra 9's dominance. In data compression, the Core Ultra 9 scores 658,724 versus 275,828, a 58.1% lead. Data encryption shows an even larger gap: 50,008 versus 15,500, a 69% advantage. Extended instructions favor the Core Ultra 9 by 66.7%, with scores of 51,290 versus 17,099. The find prime numbers test is the largest single delta: 519 versus 82, an 84.2% lead for the Core Ultra 9.

Floating-point math shows the Core Ultra 9 at 201,773 versus 67,209, a 66.7% lead. Integer math is closer, with the Core Ultra 9 scoring 164,839 versus 119,552, a 27.5% advantage. The multithread PassMark test shows 59,439 versus 25,031, a 57.9% gap. Physics scores are 3,387 versus 1,318, a 61.1% lead. Random string sorting shows 80,327 versus 28,227, a 64.9% margin. Finally, the single-thread PassMark tests show 4,951 versus 3,794, a 23.4% advantage for the Core Ultra 9.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 79,574, while the Intel Core 7 253PTE has an average score of 34,962. The Core Ultra 9's score is more than double that of the Core 7.

Q: Does the Core 7 253PTE win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Core 7 253PTE wins one test: Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3,003 versus the Core Ultra 9's 2,356, a 27.5% advantage.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each processor?

A: The Core 7 253PTE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Core 7 supports Hyper-Threading, while the Core Ultra 9 does not.

Q: How do the two processors compare on process node and foundry?

A: The Core 7 253PTE uses Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses TSMC's 3 nm process node at TSMC's foundry.

Q: Which processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory?

A: The Core 7 253PTE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports only DDR5.

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

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus leads by 84.2%, scoring 519 versus the Core 7's 82.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins across nearly every measured workload category. Its largest advantages are in prime number computation, data encryption, and extended instructions, where it leads by 84.2%, 69%, and 66.7% respectively. These results indicate strong performance in mathematical, cryptographic, and specialized instruction workloads. The Core Ultra 9 also excels in data compression with a 58.1% lead and in floating-point math with a 66.7% lead, making it well-suited for scientific computing, financial modeling, and media rendering tasks. Its multithread score of 59,439 versus 25,031, a 57.9% lead, confirms its capability in heavily parallel workloads.

The Core Ultra 9's single-thread performance is also superior in most tests, winning PassMark single-thread by 23.4% and Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core by 11.2% and 57.9% respectively. This broad single-thread and multi-thread dominance makes the Core Ultra 9 the preferred processor for almost any compute-intensive application. Its 24 cores, larger cache hierarchy, higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes all contribute to this profile.

The Intel Core 7 253PTE wins only in Cinebench R23 single-core, with a 27.5% advantage. This single data point suggests that the Core 7 can deliver competitive performance in specific single-threaded scenarios where the R23 workload's characteristics align with its architecture. However, the Core 7's losses in the other single-core tests, particularly the 57.9% deficit in R20 single-core, indicate that this is not a consistent advantage. The Core 7's lower TDP of 45 watts versus the Core Ultra 9's 55 watts may be relevant for power-constrained desktop builds, but the benchmark data does not include power efficiency metrics.

For users whose workloads are dominated by Cinebench R23 single-core rendering, the Core 7 253PTE offers a specific benefit. For all other measured workloads, including all PassMark tests and the majority of Cinebench tests, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus delivers substantially higher performance. The Core Ultra 9's 95th percentile ranking versus the Core 7's 84th percentile underscores its position as the higher-performing processor in the database's recorded measurements.