The model was invited to the catalog without fanfare and shakes up the HX hierarchy: 18 cores, base frequencies raised, but iGPU and NPU a notch lower.
Positioning and specifications of the Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX
Referenced after its appearance in the Lenovo Legion 5i 2026 and MSI Raider 16 HX files, the Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX slots between the Core Ultra 5 245HX and the Core Ultra 7 255HX. It aligns 18 cores/18 threads in 6P+12E, 30 MB of Smart Cache and an envelope of 55 W (base) up to 160 W (maximum turbo power).
Compared to the 255HX, it loses two P-cores and two threads, retains 12 E-cores, and targets 5.1 GHz in Max Turbo, or 100 MHz less. In return, the bases rise significantly: 2.9 GHz on the P-cores (+500 MHz) and 2.5 GHz on the E-cores (+700 MHz). The memory officially goes up to DDR5-6400.
Integrated graphics, NPU and place in the range
The iGPU goes to 3 Xe3 cores at 1.8 GHz (compared to 4 on the 255HX). The AI follows the same logic: 30 TOPS instead of 33. The technical sheet therefore favors the increase in basic CPU frequencies rather than a More muscular iGPU/NPU.
The 251HX is positioned above the Core Ultra 5 245HX (14 cores in 6P+8E, 24 MB cache) and below the 20 cores of the Core Ultra 7 255HX and 265HX. The choice seems consistent for gaming/performance laptops where CPU frequency performance is paramount and where a dGPU will take over graphics, while leaving a slight shortfall in terms of on-board AI acceleration.
Read also: Intel Core Ultra X9 378H: the specifications of the X7, without vPro for the general public
Source : TechPowerUp
