Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265K Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two processors into clearly different roles. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K wins 16 of 17 recorded head-to-head tests, establishing itself as the dominant performer across nearly every workload category. The Intel Core 7 251TE claims exactly one victory, but that single win is significant because it occurs in a single-threaded rendering test.

The Core 7 251TE takes the Cinebench R23 single-core test with a score of 3602 against the Core Ultra 7 265K's 2020, a 78.3% advantage. This is the only benchmark where the 251TE leads, and it does so by a wide margin. The rest of the field belongs to the 265K.

The Core Ultra 7 265K shows its strength in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 35850 versus 25518 for the 251TE, a 28.8% gap. The margin grows in older Cinebench versions: R20 multi-core shows 20918 against 10717 (48.8% ahead), and R15 multi-core shows 5020 against 2572 (48.8% ahead). The pattern holds in PassMark tests, where the 265K leads by margins ranging from 12.2% in integer math to 71.5% in prime number finding.

For users focused on single-threaded rendering tasks, the 251TE offers a specific advantage. For everything else, from data compression to encryption to physics calculations, the 265K delivers substantially higher scores. The average benchmark score reflects this: the 265K sits at 70879 with a 94th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the 251TE averages 41650 and ranks in the 88th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel designs. The Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 7 265K uses the Arrow Lake-S codename with the Arrow Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. The 265K carries 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die; the 251TE has no transistor count recorded but uses a smaller 215 mm² die.

Core configurations differ notably. The 251TE packs 24 cores and 32 threads, while the 265K has 20 cores and 20 threads. The 251TE therefore relies on a higher thread count, but the 265K compensates with a much higher base clock of 3.90 GHz against 1.40 GHz, and a slightly higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz against 5.40 GHz. The 265K also has a larger L1 cache at 192 KB per core versus 80 KB, a larger L2 at 3 MB per core versus 1.25 MB, but a smaller shared L3 at 30 MB versus 36 MB.

Memory support diverges as well. The 251TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the 265K supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory, but the 265K achieves 102.4 GB/s bandwidth versus 89.6 GB/s for the 251TE. Both support ECC memory. PCIe lanes differ: the 265K provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while the 251TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. The 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the 265K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The 265K has an unlocked multiplier, the 251TE does not. The 265K uses Socket 1851, the 251TE uses Socket 1700. The 265K was released in October 2024, the 251TE in January 2025. The 251TE has a 45 W TDP, the 265K a 125 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single victory for the Core Ultra 7 265K comes in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where it scores 491 against 140 for the 251TE, a 71.5% lead. Extended instructions show a 68.8% gap (54333 versus 16974). Floating point math shows 189629 against 85607, a 54.9% difference. Data encryption shows 48246 versus 22176, a 54% gap. Random string sorting shows 79752 against 39643, a 50.3% lead.

The Cinebench suite shows consistent 48.8% advantages for the 265K in R15 multi-core, R15 single-core, R20 multi-core, and R20 single-core, plus PassMark multithread. The R23 multi-core gap narrows to 28.8%, and PassMark single-thread shows a 27.6% lead for the 265K. The smallest margin is PassMark integer math at 12.2% (143242 versus 125739).

The Core 7 251TE's only win is striking because it reverses the single-core trend seen elsewhere. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 251TE scores 3602 against 2020 for the 265K, a 78.3% advantage. This result stands apart from the R15 and R20 single-core tests, where the 265K leads by roughly 48.8%. The data shows an inconsistency in the 265K's single-core performance across Cinebench versions, while the 251TE maintains a high score in the R23 variant.

The nearest rivals for each processor provide context. The 251TE sits within 0.6% of the Intel Core i7-14700T and within 0.3% of the Intel Core i7-12850HX, with an average score of 41650. The 265K, at 70879, sits within 1.3% of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F and within 1% of the Intel Core i7-14700KF.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core rendering benchmarks?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. It leads by 48.8% in R15 and R20 multi-core, and by 28.8% in R23 multi-core.

Q: Is there any test where the Core 7 251TE beats the Core Ultra 7 265K?

A: Yes. The 251TE wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 3602 versus 2020, a 78.3% advantage.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The 251TE supports DDR4 and DDR5. The 265K supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K has 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 7 251TE has 89.6 GB/s.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K averages 70879 and ranks in the 94th percentile. The Core 7 251TE averages 41650 and ranks in the 88th percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 251TE | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 24 | 20 |

| Threads | 32 | 20 |

| Base clock | 1.40 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Architecture | Not recorded | Arrow Lake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die size | 215 mm² | 243 mm² |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB per core | 3 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 36 MB shared | 30 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 20 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-10-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $394 |

The Verdict

The data points to the Core Ultra 7 265K for users who need maximum throughput. It wins 16 of 17 benchmarks, dominates multi-core rendering, and leads in every PassMark category except none. Its 94th percentile ranking and average score of 70879 place it clearly above the 251TE's 88th percentile and 41650 average. The 265K also offers a higher memory bandwidth, more PCIe lanes, a larger L1 and L2 cache, and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

The Core 7 251TE serves a narrower purpose. Its single win in Cinebench R23 single-core is substantial, and its 45 W TDP indicates a much lower power envelope than the 265K's 125 W. The 251TE supports DDR4 memory, which may suit systems with existing DDR4 modules, and its 24 cores with 32 threads provide a high thread count despite the lower clock speeds. It also uses the older Socket 1700 platform.

For users prioritizing raw performance across a broad set of workloads, the 265K is the clear choice. For users with a specific single-threaded rendering workload, or those constrained by power limits and platform compatibility, the 251TE has a defined place. The benchmark record does not present these as equivalent options; it presents them as complementary tools with opposite strengths.