Intel’s long-rumored Bartlett Lake P-core-only processors are finally starting to show up in real-world performance tests, and the early numbers look promising. In fact, a 10 P-core Bartlett Lake chip has surfaced in PassMark, and it’s already demonstrating a sizable multi-threaded uplift over familiar recent-generation desktop parts—even with fewer total cores than some rivals.
Bartlett Lake is primarily positioned for embedded systems, but it’s hard not to see the appeal for mainstream PC users as well. These chips are compatible with the LGA 1700 socket, which keeps them within reach of a huge base of existing motherboards and builders. That alone makes any meaningful performance data worth paying attention to, especially as many enthusiasts continue to prefer the maturity and availability of the LGA 1700 ecosystem.
The processor spotted in the benchmark database is the Intel Core 7 253PE, a model built entirely around Performance cores rather than a mix of Performance and Efficient cores. According to the listing, it posted 3,647 points in PassMark’s single-thread test and 31,802 points in the multi-thread test. The multi-thread result is the headline: compared to the Intel Core i5-14400 (a 10-core Raptor Lake Refresh chip), the Core 7 253PE’s multi-threaded score is nearly 20% higher.
What makes this particularly interesting is how it stacks up against the Intel Core i5-14500 as well. Despite the i5-14500 having 14 total cores, the Core 7 253PE edges it out slightly in PassMark’s multi-threaded performance. That comparison comes with an important caveat, though: the i5-14400 and i5-14500 use a hybrid design with 6 Performance cores plus Efficient cores, so they’re not direct one-to-one matches for a 10 P-core-only CPU. Still, the results strongly suggest that a higher count of full Performance cores can deliver excellent throughput in heavily CPU-bound, multi-threaded workloads.
Single-core performance is less impressive in this first appearance, but it’s also too early to draw firm conclusions. This is currently just one public benchmark entry, and early samples can vary by clock behavior, platform tuning, firmware versions, and power settings. More results are needed before the single-thread story becomes clear.
The leak also hints at changes in cache configuration. The Core 7 253PE appears to carry more cache than i5 counterparts, though with less L2 cache than the Core i7-14700. Interestingly, the L3 cache on the Core 7 253PE and the Core i7-14700 is listed as the same, while the i7-14700 retains an 8MB advantage in L2. That’s another reason why simple comparisons across these SKUs can be misleading—core layout and cache structure both play a big role in how processors behave across different applications.
Even with those limitations, the takeaway is clear: Bartlett Lake P-core-only CPUs are shaping up to be some of the most intriguing Intel chips we’ve seen in a while. With up to 12 P-cores expected on higher-end models, and early 10 P-core benchmarks already showing strong multi-threaded gains, this lineup could become a compelling option for users who prioritize heavy productivity, compiling, content creation, and other CPU-intensive tasks—especially if more models appear for the broader market down the line.
