Intel has expanded its Arrow Lake-HX mobile processor family with the unannounced addition of the Core Ultra 7 251HX. This new chip, which has appeared on product pages for upcoming gaming laptops, offers an 18-core configuration, positioning it between the Core Ultra 5 245HX and the higher-tier Core Ultra 7 255HX. While not a flagship release, the 251HX brings a notable core count to Intel’s mobile offerings.
Key Takeaways
- Intel has silently launched the Core Ultra 7 251HX, an 18-core mobile processor.
- It features a 6 Performance-core (P-core) and 12 Efficient-core (E-core) configuration.
- The processor offers a max turbo frequency of up to 5.1 GHz and a 55W base TDP.
- Integrated graphics include 3 Xe3 cores, with AI performance rated at 30 TOPS.
- The 251HX slots between the Core Ultra 5 245HX and the Core Ultra 7 255HX in Intel’s lineup.
Core Ultra 7 251HX Specifications
The Core Ultra 7 251HX is an 18-core, 18-thread processor, featuring a hybrid architecture with 6 Performance-cores and 12 Efficient-cores. This configuration places it below the 20-core (8P+12E) Core Ultra 7 255HX. Despite the reduced core count compared to the 255HX, it retains a significant portion of its specifications, including 30 MB of Intel Smart Cache. The maximum turbo frequency reaches up to 5.1 GHz, a slight decrease from the 255HX’s 5.2 GHz. However, the 251HX boasts a higher Efficient-core base clock of 2.5 GHz (a 700 MHz increase) and an improved Performance-core base clock of 2.9 GHz (a 500 MHz increase).
The processor supports memory up to DDR5-6400. Its integrated graphics have been scaled down to 3 Xe3 cores, clocked up to 1.8 GHz, compared to the 4 Xe cores found in the 255HX. This reduction also impacts its AI performance, with the 251HX delivering 30 AI TOPS, slightly less than the 33 AI TOPS of the 255HX.
Market Positioning
The introduction of the Core Ultra 7 251HX appears to be a strategic move by Intel to fill a performance gap within its Arrow Lake-HX mobile processor series. It sits directly between the Core Ultra 5 245HX (which features a 14-core, 6P+8E configuration) and the more powerful Core Ultra 7 255HX. This positioning suggests it’s a slightly lower-binned version of the 255HX, offering a balance of core count and clock speeds for a segment of the high-performance laptop market.
Availability and Context
The Core Ultra 7 251HX was first noticed in listings for upcoming laptops, such as the Lenovo Legion 5i 2026 and MSI Raider 16 HX, before its official specifications were confirmed on Intel’s website. This quiet launch indicates Intel’s approach to incrementally updating its product stack without major fanfare. The processor is designed to complement dedicated graphics solutions, with its integrated graphics offering a capable, albeit slightly reduced, performance level compared to its higher-tier counterparts.
Comparison Table: Arrow Lake-HX Processors
| CPU Name | Cores (P+E) | Max CPU Clock | Power (TDP/Max) | iGPU Xe-cores | iGPU max freq |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | 24 (8+16) | 5.5 GHz | 55 W / 160 W | 4 | 2.0 GHz |
| Core Ultra 7 265HX | 20 (8+12) | 5.3 GHz | 55 W / 160 W | 4 | 1.9 GHz |
| Core Ultra 7 255HX | 20 (8+12) | 5.2 GHz | 55 W / 160 W | 4 | 1.85 GHz |
| Core Ultra 7 251HX | 18 (6+12) | 5.1 GHz | 55 W / 160 W | 3 | 1.8 GHz |
| Core Ultra 5 245HX | 14 (6+8) | 5.1 GHz | 55 W / 160 W | 3 | 1.9 GHz |
Via Intel
