# Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX Laptop CPU: Intel Also called intel core ultra 7 251hx, core ultra 7 251hx, 251hx, core-ultra-7-251hx Intel, Laptop CPU, Arrow Lake Intel Core Ultra 7 laptop processor on Arrow Lake, with 18 cores and 18 threads and 30720 KB L2, 30 MB L3 at 55 W TDP on a 3 nm process addressing up to 256 GB and Intel Graphics. ## What you need to know Still a capable laptop cpu. Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX launched in January 1, 2026., It has 18 cores and 18 threads on Arrow Lake, dropping into the FCBGA2114 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up. - **Still good?**: Yes, for most work this class is sold for **Product age**: Less than a year old **Upgrade pressure**: Low Feex says Laptop SKUs are power-limited. The name on the lid is not the same chip you would get on a desktop board. ## What this hardware means today Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate. - **Performance today**: **Excellent.** Laptop performance depends on the OEM power limit as much as this SKU name. **Product age 0 years old**: **Current generation.** Launched January 1, 2026. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself. **Support status **: **Supported.** Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor. **Upgrade pressure **: **Low.** Upgrade pressure is low unless you need a different platform feature. ## Where does it sit? Arrow Lake sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra. 11th Gen 12th Gen 13th Gen 14th Gen Core Ultra ## Performance context These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins. ### Gaming: Very Good Fine when the laptop GPU is the limit. CPU names on thin laptops often are not. ### Productivity: Excellent 18 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class. ### Multithreaded workloads: Good 18 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts. ### General use: Excellent Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first. ### Efficiency: Depends on the laptop The same SKU in two laptops can draw very different power. Read the device, not the CPU name alone. ## Should you upgrade? Probably not if this chip already matches your work. ### Upgrade makes more sense if - Your workload is strongly CPU limited - You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features - You need substantially more multicore performance - You are buying a whole new laptop anyway ### Upgrade makes less sense if - The GPU is the real bottleneck - Current applications are already responsive - The CPU rarely limits your workload ## Specifications Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted. ### Processor Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX is built on Arrow Lake using a 3 nm process. | Manufacturer | Intel | | --------------------- | -------------------------------------- | | Family | Core Ultra 7 | | Architecture | Arrow Lake | | Generation | Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2) | | Manufacturing process | 3 nm | | Segment | Laptop | ### Cores and threads Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX has 18 cores and 18 threads. | Cores | 18 (6 P-cores + 12 E-cores) | | ------------------- | --------------------------- | | P-cores | 6 | | E-cores | 12 | | Threads | 18 | | Hybrid architecture | Yes | ### Clock speeds Base clock is 2.9 GHz. Boost reaches 5.1 GHz. | Base frequency | 2.9 GHz | | -------------- | ------- | | Max boost | 5.1 GHz | ### Cache Cache on this sheet is 30 MB L3. | L2 cache | 30720 KB | | ----------- | -------- | | L3 cache | 30 MB | | Total cache | 60 MB | ### Memory Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX addresses 256 GB across 2 memory channels. | Supported types | DDR5 | | --------------- | ------ | | Max capacity | 256 GB | | Channels | 2 | ### Package and power Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX uses the FCBGA2114 socket and a 55 W TDP. | Socket | FCBGA2114 | | ------ | ---------------------- | | TDP | 55 W | | PCIe | Revision 5.0, 24 lanes | ### Integrated graphics Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX includes Intel Graphics. | Integrated graphics | Intel Graphics | | ------------------- | -------------- | ### Market Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX launched January 1, 2026. | Launch date | January 1, 2026 | | ----------- | --------------- | | Model | 251HX | ### Features Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX records 8 instruction sets on this sheet. | Instruction sets | AES-NIAVX2AVXAVX-VNNISHA64-bit (x86-64)SSE4.1SSE4.2 | | ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Security | Control-flow Enforcement (CET)Execute Disable (NX)Boot GuardHardware RNGOS GuardMode-Based Execute Control | | Virtualization | Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization) | | AI acceleration | Neural Processing Unit (NPU)Deep Learning BoostGaussian Neural Accelerator | ## Compatibility | Socket | FCBGA2114 | | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Board | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision. | | Memory | DDR5, up to 256 GB | | Graphics | Intel Graphics | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post. Laptop power limits, cooling, and the OEM firmware matter as much as the model name. Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept. ### No post after a CPU swap Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [Processors: Hardware](https://feex.it/wiki/hardware/cpu) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [Feex Hardware Database ](https://foxhole.feex.it/cpu/intel-core-ultra-7-251hx)ยท Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0. ## Was this article useful? A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Manufacturer**: Intel **Family**: Core Ultra 7 **Architecture**: Arrow Lake **Socket**: FCBGA2114 **Launch**: 2026 **Status**: Current generation, still capable Partially Verified: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/hardware/cpu/intel-core-ultra-7-251hx/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)