Intel Core 3 100U vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The Intel Core 3 100U and Intel Core 5 221E occupy different segments of the Intel lineup, and the benchmark data reflects a clear performance hierarchy. The Core 3 100U is a 6-core, 8-thread mobile processor built on Raptor Lake-U, while the Core 5 221E is a 14-core, 20-thread desktop part based on Bartlett Lake. Across every recorded benchmark, the Core 5 221E posts a higher score, but the magnitude of that advantage varies significantly by workload, ranging from a modest 15.5% lead in single-threaded tests to a dominant 69.9% gap in prime number computation. The Core 3 100U’s advantage is its 15 W TDP, which positions it for power-constrained mobile systems, whereas the Core 5 221E, with a 65 W TDP, delivers substantially higher throughput in exchange for greater power consumption.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 221E wins every single benchmark in the database, making a case for raw performance dominance across all measured categories. Its largest wins come in integer math, where it scores 117813 against the Core 3 100U’s 39580, a delta of 66.4%, and in prime number finding, where it scores 173 against 52, a 69.9% advantage. These results indicate that workloads heavily dependent on integer computation and algorithmic processing will see the most dramatic gains from the Core 5 221E.

The Core 3 100U’s only competitive area is single-threaded performance. In PassMark single-thread testing, the Core 5 221E scores 4147 versus 3506, a 15.5% lead. This is the smallest delta between the two chips, suggesting that the Core 3 100U’s 4.70 GHz boost clock closes much of the gap in lightly threaded tasks. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a similar trend, with the Core 5 221E scoring 3661 versus 1499, a 59.1% gap that is actually larger in percentage terms, though the PassMark result indicates that the Core 3 100U is comparatively stronger in single-threaded integer workloads.

For multithreaded productivity, the Core 5 221E is the clear choice. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25933 is 144.1% higher than the Core 3 100U’s 10624. The PassMark multithread score of 30510 versus 12522 reinforces this, with the Core 5 221E delivering 59% more performance. Data compression, encryption, and extended instruction workloads all follow the same pattern, with deltas ranging from 56.7% to 57.9% in favor of the Core 5 221E. The Core 3 100U, by contrast, is positioned for efficiency, and its performance profile suggests it is best suited for tasks where power draw is the primary constraint rather than absolute speed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E is faster. In PassMark single-thread testing, it scores 4147 compared to the Core 3 100U’s 3506, a 15.5% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a wider gap, with the Core 5 221E scoring 3661 versus 1499.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap?

A: The Core 5 221E leads by approximately 59% in Cinebench R23 multicore, scoring 25933 versus 10624. PassMark multithread shows the same 59% delta, with scores of 30510 and 12522 respectively.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Core 5 221E has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Core 3 100U’s memory bandwidth is not listed.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Core 3 100U boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The Core 5 221E supports ECC memory. The Core 3 100U does not.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows consistent performance deltas across the board. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 5 221E scores 2613 against the Core 3 100U’s 1070, a 59.1% difference. The single-core R15 result is nearly identical in percentage terms, with 368 versus 150, also a 59.2% gap. Cinebench R20 follows suit: multicore scores of 10891 versus 4462 represent a 59% delta, and single-core scores of 1537 versus 629 represent a 59.1% delta. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern with multicore scores of 25933 versus 10624 (59% delta) and single-core scores of 3661 versus 1499 (59.1% delta).

PassMark results reveal a wider range of deltas. The smallest gap is in single-thread testing, where the Core 5 221E scores 4147 versus 3506, a 15.5% lead. The largest gap is in prime number finding, where the Core 5 221E scores 173 versus 52, a 69.9% advantage. Integer math shows a 66.4% delta (117813 versus 39580), and floating-point math shows a 64.2% delta (79028 versus 28322). Data compression (324285 versus 136497) and data encryption (19205 versus 8128) show deltas of 57.9% and 57.7% respectively. Extended instructions (18216 versus 7894) show a 56.7% delta, and random string sorting (37686 versus 15191) shows a 59.7% delta. Physics (2230 versus 876) and multithread (30510 versus 12522) show deltas of 60.7% and 59% respectively.

Specification Differences

The Core 3 100U and Core 5 221E differ in nearly every core specification. The Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: the Core 3 100U runs at 1.20 GHz, while the Core 5 221E runs at 2.70 GHz. Boost clocks also favor the Core 5 221E, with 5.20 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator: the Core 3 100U draws 15 W, while the Core 5 221E draws 65 W.

The two processors also use different sockets. The Core 3 100U uses Intel BGA 1744, while the Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700. Market segment differs as well, with the Core 3 100U classified as Mobile and the Core 5 221E as Desktop. The Core 5 221E has a larger die size of 257 mm², while the Core 3 100U’s die size is not recorded. PCIe support differs: the Core 3 100U offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes, while the Core 5 221E offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The Core 5 221E also supports ECC memory, which the Core 3 100U does not. Memory bandwidth is listed for the Core 5 221E at 89.6 GB/s, while no figure is recorded for the Core 3 100U.

Architecture Differences

The Core 3 100U is built on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, while the Core 5 221E uses Bartlett Lake as its codename. Both are manufactured on a 10 nm process by Intel. Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3 capacity. Both share an 80 KB per-core L1 cache, but the Core 3 100U has 1.25 MB per-core L2, while the Core 5 221E has 2 MB per-core L2. Shared L3 cache is 10 MB on the Core 3 100U versus 24 MB on the Core 5 221E.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 3 100U uses UHD Graphics 64EU, while the Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730. The Core 3 100U was released on January 7, 2024, while the Core 5 221E was released on January 12, 2025. The Core 3 100U carries a launch MSRP of $426, while the Core 5 221E carries a launch MSRP of $232. Both processors are marked as Active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 3 100U’s part number is SRMYL, while the Core 5 221E’s part number is SRQDVQ659. The Core 3 100U’s generation is listed as Core 3 (Raptor Lake-U), and the Core 5 221E’s generation is listed as Core 5 (Bartlett Lake). No transistor counts are recorded for either processor.