CPU Comparison
Intel Core 5 130UL vs Intel Core 7 150UL
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. A 15 W, 10-core (2P+8E) embedded/edge desktop processor on LGA1700 with Intel 7 process, 12 MB L3, 80 EU Iris Xe-class graphics, and DDR4/DDR5 dual-channel memory, launched in Q2 2024.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles typical office tasks and multitasking comfortably. The eight E-cores help with parallel background workloads, but long-running CPU-heavy builds or encodes will be slower than higher-TDP desktop CPUs.
Adequate for word processing, spreadsheets, and light multitasking, but heavily threaded tasks will be slow due to the 15W limit.
Gaming
Not positioned for gaming; the 15 W power envelope and two P-cores limit frame rates in modern AAA titles. Suitable only for very light or older games at low settings.
The integrated 96EU Iris Xe can handle older or esports titles at low settings, but it is not built for modern AAA gaming.
Virtualization
Can run a few light VMs or containers thanks to 10 cores and VT-x/VT-d support, but the 15 W base power and 12 MB L3 constrain performance under sustained load.
Can run basic VMs, but memory and core limits make it unsuitable for extensive virtualization.
Efficiency
Strong efficiency in its intended 15 W embedded envelope; many desktop CPUs at this power level offer far fewer cores.
Exceptional power efficiency, drawing very little power under both idle and load conditions.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- DL Boost (VNNI) is supported on the CPU, which helps INT8 inference, but there is no dedicated NPU.
- For edge AI workloads that run on CPU, the 8 E-cores provide reasonable throughput within the 15 W budget.
- Lacks dedicated NPU
- No AVX-512 support for AI workloads
- CPU-based AI inference will be extremely slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- Only two performance cores limit single-thread-heavy game performance.
- 15 W base power caps sustained frequencies under heavy GPU-bound gaming.
- iGPU (80 EU) is suited to desktop output, not high-fps gaming.
- Relies entirely on integrated Iris Xe graphics
- Playable frame rates only in lightweight esports titles
- Modern AAA games will struggle significantly even at 720p low settings
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Very low 15 W base power with up to 10 cores for embedded/edge use.
- 80 EU iGPU can drive up to four displays, ideal for kiosks and signage.
- DDR4/DDR5 flexibility with up to 96 GB RAM.
- LGA1700 socket with Thunderbolt 4 and up to 20 PCIe lanes (CPU Gen4 + PCH Gen3).
- Strong manageability: vPro Essentials, AMT, Remote Platform Erase, TME-MK, Hardware Shield.
Cons
- Only two P-cores; not suitable for gaming or heavy creator workloads.
- Maximum Turbo Power of 55 W can complicate purely passive cooling designs if sustained.
- No official Intel ARK listing for base frequency; we rely on reputable third-party databases that report 1.6 GHz.
- PCIe lane allocation between CPU and PCH is not explicitly documented in public Intel ARK for this SKU.
- Embedded/edge focus means limited DIY retail availability and few consumer motherboards marketed for it.
Pros
- Extremely low 15W power consumption
- Capable 96EU Iris Xe integrated graphics
- Hybrid architecture handles multitasking well for its tier
- Supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory
- Operates with minimal cooling requirements
Cons
- Severely limited 8 direct PCIe 4.0 lanes
- Low base clock of 1.7 GHz
- Not suitable for modern gaming or heavy workloads
- Locked multiplier prevents any performance tuning
- Highly niche product with limited motherboard options
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core 5 130UL
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core 5 120ULRival
Embedded/Edge Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core 7 150ULRival
Embedded/Edge Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GERival
Embedded/Edge Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700GERival
Embedded/Edge Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 8600GRival
Small Form Factor Desktop/APU
Intel Core 7 150UL
- AMD Ryzen 5 8500GRival
Desktop APU
- AMD Ryzen 3 8300GRival
Budget Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-13400TRival
Low-Power Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GERival
Efficient Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-12100TRival
Entry-Level Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
A much faster standard 65W desktop CPU if your case allows a slightly larger cooler.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
Excellent budget alternative with strong multi-threaded performance and capable iGPU.
Delivers superior single-core gaming performance at a very low price point.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A niche but well-tuned chip for ultra-compact embedded systems that require LGA1700 upgradability, decent multi-threaded headroom at 15 W, and dual-display iGPU support. Not intended for gaming or heavy content creation.
Best for: Building or specifying ultra-compact embedded/edge systems (kiosks, thin clients, digital signage, small industrial PCs) that must use LGA1700 and stay around 15 W.
Read the full reviewThe Core 7 150UL excels in power efficiency rather than raw performance, making it a niche but solid choice for ultra-small form factor desktops where thermal and power limits are strictly enforced.
Best for: Building a completely silent, ultra-compact mini-PC or small form factor desktop where absolute minimal power draw and heat output are the primary design constraints.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core 5 130UL or Intel Core 7 150UL?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core 5 130UL comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core 5 130UL or Intel Core 7 150UL?
For gaming, the Intel Core 7 150UL leads with a gaming performance score of 35/100 among Intel Core 5 130UL and Intel Core 7 150UL.
Do Intel Core 5 130UL and Intel Core 7 150UL use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core 5 130UL: FCLGA1700, Intel Core 7 150UL: Intel Socket 1700), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core 5 130UL posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core 5 130UL (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.