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

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds of each CPU?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U has a base clock of 1.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Intel Core 5 221TE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the Intel Core 3 100U has 10 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 3 100U does not.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has an average benchmark score of 17860, compared to 16148 for the Intel Core 3 100U.

Q: How do their percentile rankings compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE sits at the 71st percentile, while the Intel Core 3 100U is at the 70th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families. The Intel Core 3 100U is built on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, while the Intel Core 5 221TE uses Bartlett Lake as its codename. Both are manufactured on a 10 nm process by Intel, but the Core 5 221TE has a stated die size of 215 mm², a figure not listed for the Core 3 100U.

Core configuration is a major split. The Core 3 100U uses 6 cores and 8 threads, which indicates a hybrid layout with some efficiency cores alongside performance cores. The Core 5 221TE uses 10 cores and 16 threads, pointing to a higher core count arrangement that doubles the thread count over its physical core count. Each core in both chips carries 80 KB of L1 cache and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache differs significantly: 10 MB on the Core 3 100U versus 24 MB on the Core 5 221TE.

The market segments diverge as well. The Core 3 100U is a mobile processor, while the Core 5 221TE is a desktop processor. This is reflected in their sockets: Intel BGA 1744 for the mobile chip and Intel Socket 1700 for the desktop chip. The thermal design power also reflects this split, with the Core 3 100U at 15 W and the Core 5 221TE at 45 W.

Memory support overlaps: both support DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The Core 5 221TE lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, a figure not provided for the Core 3 100U. ECC memory is supported only on the Core 5 221TE.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation and lane count. The Core 3 100U provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU-only lanes, whereas the Core 5 221TE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes.

Integrated graphics are not identical. The Core 3 100U uses UHD Graphics 64EU, while the Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730.

Release timing also differs. The Core 3 100U was released on 2024-01-07, and the Core 5 221TE followed on 2025-01-12. Both are listed as Active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221TE dominates the benchmark comparison. It wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head tests recorded in the database. Its advantages are spread across both Cinebench and PassMark workloads, covering multi-core rendering, encryption, compression, physics, sorting, and mathematical operations.

The Intel Core 3 100U wins only the PassMark single-thread tests. It records 3506 in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, while the Core 5 221TE records 1734 in those same tests. That is a 102.2% advantage for the Core 3 100U. This makes the mobile chip the better fit for lightly threaded workloads that depend heavily on one core, such as certain legacy applications or responsiveness in single-task scenarios.

Every other workload in the database favors the Core 5 221TE. The desktop chip takes the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 suites in both single-core and multi-core runs, with margins between 6.0% and 6.2%. In PassMark workloads, the Core 5 221TE shows larger gaps in extended instructions, data compression, physics, random string sorting, and floating-point math.

The Core 5 221TE also holds a higher average benchmark score, 17860 versus 16148, and a slightly better percentile ranking, 71st versus 70th. For users running multi-threaded or mixed workloads, the recorded data consistently points to the Core 5 221TE.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 100U | Intel Core 5 221TE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 10 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.20 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Not listed |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Bartlett Lake |

| Generation | Core 3 (Raptor Lake-U) | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) |

| Die Size | Not listed | 215 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 10 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 76.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | $232 |

| Part Number | SRMYL | SRVQS |

The Core 5 221TE carries a launch MSRP of $232, while the Core 3 100U carries a launch MSRP of $426. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory, have dual-channel memory buses, list 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, and use the same 10 nm process node from Intel. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a narrow but consistent lead for the Intel Core 5 221TE. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 221TE scores 11305 against 10624 for the Core 3 100U, a delta of 6.0%. The R23 single-core result is 1596 versus 1499, or 6.1% ahead. R20 multi-core shows 4748 versus 4462, also 6.0%, and R20 single-core shows 670 versus 629, a 6.1% edge. R15 multi-core shows 1139 versus 1070, 6.1%, and R15 single-core shows 160 versus 150, 6.2%. The pattern is consistent: the Core 5 221TE is faster by roughly 6% across all Cinebench versions and both core-count modes.

PassMark results show larger margins in several categories. The biggest win for the Core 5 221TE is in extended instructions, where it scores 9655 against 7894, an 18.2% advantage. Data compression shows 156682 versus 136497, a 12.9% lead. Prime number finding shows 59 versus 52, 11.9% ahead. Floating-point math shows 31661 versus 28322, a 10.5% lead. Physics shows 977 versus 876, 10.3% ahead. Random string sorting shows 16929 versus 15191, also 10.3%. Data encryption shows 8963 versus 8128, 9.3% ahead. Integer math shows 42303 versus 39580, a 6.4% lead. PassMark multithread shows 13301 versus 12522, a 5.9% edge.

The two tests won by the Core 3 100U are passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread. Both record 3506 for the Core 3 100U and 1734 for the Core 5 221TE, a 102.2% difference in favor of the mobile chip. This is the only area where the Core 3 100U shows a decisive advantage, and it is a large one.

The nearest rivals in the database place both chips in similar company. The Core 3 100U is 0.3% behind the Intel Core i7-10850H, 0.5% behind the Intel Core i5-10600KF, 1.1% behind the Intel Core i7-1260U, and 1.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H. The Core 5 221TE is 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, 0.2% behind the Intel Core 5 120U, 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core 7 350, and 0.7% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 1600.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear split. The Intel Core 5 221TE wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, including every Cinebench workload and most PassMark workloads. Its average benchmark score of 17860 is 10.6% higher than the Core 3 100U's 16148. It also carries more cores, more threads, a higher base clock, a higher boost clock, a larger L3 cache, PCIe Gen 5, and ECC memory support. For anyone running multi-threaded applications, desktop workloads, or memory-intensive tasks, the Core 5 221TE is the stronger processor in the database.

The Intel Core 3 100U has one distinct strength: single-thread performance as measured by PassMark. Its 3506 score in both single-thread tests is 102.2% higher than the Core 5 221TE's 1734. It also uses far less power, with a 15 W TDP versus 45 W, and it is built for mobile systems on the BGA 1744 socket. Systems requiring low power draw or a mobile form factor will find the Core 3 100U better suited, despite its lower core count and smaller cache.

The percentile rankings are close, 70th for the Core 3 100U and 71st for the Core 5 221TE, but the benchmark distribution is not. The Core 5 221TE is the better choice for overall compute performance, while the Core 3 100U is the better choice for single-threaded PassMark workloads and power-sensitive mobile deployments. The data does not support a broad recommendation for the Core 3 100U outside those specific conditions.