Intel Core 3 201E vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Intel Core 3 201E and Intel Core 5 221E are both desktop processors from Intel’s Bartlett Lake family, sharing the same socket, manufacturing process, and memory support. The Core 3 201E is a 4-core, 8-thread part with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Core 5 221E is a 14-core, 20-thread processor with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The recorded benchmark data shows a consistent and substantial performance gap between the two, with the Core 5 221E winning all 17 head-to-head tests. The following analysis walks through those results, the architectural reasons behind them, and the practical implications for system designers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous. The Intel Core 5 221E wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database, 17 wins to 0. In multi-core workloads, the margin is very large. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 221E scores 25933 against 12613 for the Core 3 201E, a difference of 51.4%. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Core 5 221E records 10891 and the Core 3 201E records 5297, again a 51.4% gap. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the same relationship: 2613 for the Core 5 221E versus 1271 for the Core 3 201E.

Single-core performance also favors the Core 5 221E, though by a slightly smaller margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 5 221E scores 3661 against 1780 for the Core 3 201E, a 51.4% difference. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1537 versus 747, also a 51.4% gap. Cinebench R15 single-core gives 368 versus 179. The consistent 51.4% delta across all Cinebench versions indicates that the performance difference scales uniformly with the core count and clock behavior of the two processors.

PassMark results paint a similar picture. In integer math, the Core 5 221E posts 117813 versus 43894 for the Core 3 201E, a 62.7% advantage. Floating point math shows 79028 versus 33260, a 57.9% gap. The largest single delta is in prime number finding, where the Core 5 221E scores 173 and the Core 3 201E scores 57, a 67.1% difference. Data compression follows at 324285 versus 164160, a 49.4% gap, while data encryption shows 19205 versus 8931, a 53.5% difference. Random string sorting gives 37686 versus 17783, a 52.8% gap, and extended instructions show 18216 versus 11035, a 39.4% difference.

The multithreaded PassMark score, which aggregates many parallel workloads, gives the Core 5 221E a 30510 result versus 14839 for the Core 3 201E, a 51.4% gap. Physics simulation follows the same trend with 2230 versus 1141, a 48.8% difference. Single-thread PassMark scores are the closest comparison in the entire dataset: 4147 for the Core 5 221E versus 3482 for the Core 3 201E, a 16% gap. That smaller single-thread delta reflects the boost clock difference of 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz, while the much larger multi-thread gaps reflect the core and thread count disparity.

The average benchmark score in the database reinforces the hierarchy. The Core 5 221E has an average score of 40144, while the Core 3 201E averages 19056. That places the Core 3 201E in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 221E sits in the 87th percentile. The nearest rivals listed for the Core 3 201E are the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS with an average score of 19047, the Intel Core i5-12400F at 19039, the Intel Core i5-1335U at 18982, and the AMD EPYC 7773X at 18979. The Core 3 201E’s average is within 0.4% of each of those. For the Core 5 221E, the nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 9 270 at 40246, the Intel Core i9-13905H at 40313, the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 at 40048. The Core 5 221E sits within 0.4% of all four, in either direction.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion. The Intel Core 5 221E is the stronger processor across every benchmark category recorded. It wins all 17 head-to-head tests, and its average benchmark score is more than double that of the Core 3 201E. The 51.4% gap seen in Cinebench multi-core tests and the corresponding gaps in PassMark multithread, integer math, and floating point math all point to the same underlying advantage: 14 cores and 20 threads versus 4 cores and 8 threads.

The Core 3 201E is not without merit. Its single-thread PassMark score of 3482 is competitive for its class, and its average benchmark score of 19056 places it in the same range as several established mid-range parts. The nearest rival data shows that the Core 3 201E and the Core 5 221E occupy different performance tiers entirely. The Core 3 201E competes with parts that average around 19000 in the database, while the Core 5 221E competes with parts that average around 40000.

For a system that needs maximum throughput in rendering, data compression, encryption, or any parallel workload, the Core 5 221E is the clear choice. The benchmark results show no scenario in the recorded data where the Core 3 201E comes out ahead. The only category where the Core 3 201E is relatively close is single-threaded PassMark, where the 16% gap is the smallest of any test. Even there, the Core 5 221E wins.

Architecture Differences

Both processors come from the Bartlett Lake family and are built on Intel’s 10 nm process. They share the same Intel Socket 1700 package and both use the UHD Graphics 730 integrated graphics unit. The fundamental architectural difference lies in the core configuration. The Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. That core count difference drives most of the performance gap observed in the benchmarks.

The cache hierarchy also differs. Both processors have an L1 cache of 80 KB per core. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the Core 3 201E and 2 MB per core on the Core 5 221E. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared on the Core 3 201E and 24 MB shared on the Core 5 221E. The larger per-core L2 and the doubled shared L3 on the Core 5 221E contribute to its superior performance in cache-sensitive workloads like data compression and integer math.

The die size reflects the difference in resources. The Core 3 201E has a die size of 163 mm², while the Core 5 221E measures 257 mm². Both are produced by Intel on the same 10 nm node. The larger die on the Core 5 221E accommodates the additional cores, threads, and cache. The boost clock also differs, with the Core 5 221E reaching 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz on the Core 3 201E. The base clock is higher on the Core 3 201E at 3.60 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, but the Core 5 221E’s higher boost clock gives it the single-thread advantage.

Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Core 5 221E at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s on the Core 3 201E. Both support ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The specification tables show several distinct differences between the two processors. The core count is the most obvious: 4 cores on the Core 3 201E versus 14 cores on the Core 5 221E. Thread count follows at 8 versus 20. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz and 2.70 GHz respectively, while boost clocks are 4.80 GHz and 5.20 GHz. The Core 5 221E has a higher thermal design power at 65 W compared to 60 W for the Core 3 201E.

The L2 cache differs in both size and total capacity. The Core 3 201E has 1.25 MB per core, while the Core 5 221E has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared on the Core 3 201E and 24 MB shared on the Core 5 221E. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. Die size is 163 mm² versus 257 mm². The part numbers are SRVTR for the Core 3 201E and SRQDVQ659 for the Core 5 221E.

The launch MSRP for the Core 3 201E is $134. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 221E is $232. Both processors are active production parts, released on the same date, and both are listed as desktop market segment. They share the same socket, the same integrated graphics, the same memory support, and the same PCIe configuration.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Core 5 221E in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Core 5 221E scores 25933 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Core 3 201E scores 12613. That is a 51.4% difference in favor of the Core 5 221E.

Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two processors?

A: The closest result is in PassMark single-thread testing, where the Core 5 221E scores 4147 and the Core 3 201E scores 3482, a 16% gap. All other tests show larger differences.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The Core 5 221E has higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s compared to 76.8 GB/s for the Core 3 201E.

Q: Are the two processors on the same manufacturing node?

A: Yes, both are built on Intel’s 10 nm process and are part of the Bartlett Lake family. They use the same Intel Socket 1700.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, while the Core 3 201E has an average score of 19056. The Core 5 221E sits in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, and the Core 3 201E sits in the 73rd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. Multi-threaded workloads show the largest advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 221E is 51.4% ahead. PassMark integer math shows a 62.7% advantage, and floating point math shows a 57.9% advantage. Prime number finding has the largest gap at 67.1%. Data encryption is 53.5% ahead, and random string sorting is 52.8% ahead. These results indicate that any workload that scales with core count or benefits from the larger 24 MB L3 cache will favor the Core 5 221E.

The Core 3 201E does not win any test, so there is no benchmark category where the data supports choosing it for performance reasons. Its lower 60 W thermal design power and smaller 163 mm² die size may matter for specific system designs, but the recorded benchmark data does not show any performance advantage. The single-thread PassMark category is the closest, with the Core 5 221E ahead by 16%, but still ahead.

The architecture differences explain the results. The Core 5 221E has 10 additional cores, 12 additional threads, a larger L2 cache per core, double the shared L3 cache, a higher boost clock, and higher memory bandwidth. The Core 3 201E has a higher base clock and a lower thermal design power, but those specifications do not translate into any benchmark win. For users prioritizing parallel throughput, the Core 5 221E is the only choice supported by the data. For users with strictly single-threaded workloads, the Core 5 221E still holds the advantage, albeit by a smaller margin. The database records no scenario where the Core 3 201E outperforms the Core 5 221E.