Intel Core 3 201E vs Intel Core 5 223PE Comparison

The Verdict

The data shows a decisive split between these two Bartlett Lake desktop processors. The Intel Core 5 223PE wins every single head-to-head benchmark recorded in the database, 17 wins to zero. Its average benchmark score of 40585 places it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 3 201E sits at 19056 average, 73rd percentile. The Core 5 223PE is the choice for any workload where multi-threaded throughput, math processing, or content creation matters. The Core 3 201E, with its lower core count and smaller cache, serves as a more modest entry point into the same socket and platform, but the performance gap is so wide that the data offers no scenario where it outpaces its sibling.

The closest rival to the Core 3 201E is the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, which scores 19047, a delta of 0 percent, essentially a tie. The Core 5 223PE, by contrast, sits within 0.1 percent of the Intel Core 7 253PE at 40557. This indicates the Core 5 223PE is competing in a higher performance class entirely, despite both parts sharing the Bartlett Lake codename and Intel Socket 1700.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's 10 nm process node and are fabricated by Intel. They share the Bartlett Lake codename, but the die size differs: the Core 3 201E has a 163 mm² die, while the Core 5 223PE has no recorded die size in the database. The core topology is where the separation becomes clear. The Core 3 201E provides 4 cores and 8 threads. The Core 5 223PE doubles that to 8 cores and 16 threads.

Cache allocation also diverges. Both parts use 80 KB of L1 per core. The L2 cache per core increases from 1.25 MB on the Core 3 201E to 2 MB on the Core 5 223PE. Shared L3 cache jumps from 12 MB to 24 MB, a full doubling. The Core 3 201E has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Core 5 223PE starts lower at 2.90 GHz base but boosts higher to 5.20 GHz.

Memory support is identical in type: both accept DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory. The memory bandwidth differs, however, with the Core 3 201E rated at 76.8 GB/s and the Core 5 223PE at 89.6 GB/s. PCIe capabilities match: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are the same UHD Graphics 730. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Production status is Active for both, with the Core 3 201E released in January 2025 and the Core 5 223PE released in March 2026, according to the recorded dates.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 3 201E has no recorded wins in any benchmark category. Its single-thread score of 3482 in Passmark trails the Core 5 223PE's 4219 by 17.5 percent, which is the narrowest gap between the two. That suggests the Core 3 201E is less disadvantaged in lightly threaded tasks, but it still loses. In multi-threaded Passmark, the Core 3 201E scores 14839 against 31124, a 52.3 percent deficit.

For the Core 5 223PE, the wins span every category. It leads by roughly half in most Cinebench tests, with deltas around 52 percent. The largest margin comes in Passmark find prime numbers, where it leads by 64.2 percent. Floating point math shows a 56.5 percent lead, integer math 56 percent, and extended instructions 55.3 percent. The smallest margin is in Passmark single thread at 17.5 percent.

The implication is that any workload relying on parallel execution, encryption, compression, or math will favor the Core 5 223PE overwhelmingly. The Core 3 201E may fit scenarios where the lower core count and smaller cache are acceptable, but the benchmark data cannot justify picking it on performance grounds alone.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How does the single-thread performance compare?

A: In Passmark single thread, the Core 5 223PE scores 4219 versus the Core 3 201E's 3482, a 17.5 percent lead. In Cinebench R23 single core, the Core 5 223PE scores 3734 against 1780, a 52.3 percent lead.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference?

A: The Core 3 201E has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 223PE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, double the amount.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 3 201E and the Intel Core 5 223PE support ECC memory. Both also support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core 3 201E has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Core 5 223PE has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE boosts to 5.20 GHz. The Intel Core 3 201E boosts to 4.80 GHz. The Core 3 201E has a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.90 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results tell a consistent story. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 3 201E scores 1271 against the Core 5 223PE's 2666, a 52.3 percent deficit. The single core R15 test shows 179 versus 376, a 52.4 percent gap. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the pattern: 5297 versus 11111, 52.3 percent behind. R20 single core: 747 versus 1568, 52.4 percent. Cinebench R23 multicore: 12613 versus 26455, 52.3 percent. R23 single core: 1780 versus 3734, 52.3 percent. The consistency across Cinebench versions indicates a fixed architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Passmark tests reveal where the Core 5 223PE stretches its lead furthest. Data compression shows 164160 versus 346623, a 52.6 percent gap. Data encryption: 8931 versus 18448, 51.6 percent. Extended instructions: 11035 versus 24672, 55.3 percent. Find prime numbers: 57 versus 159, a 64.2 percent gap, the largest of any recorded test. Floating point math: 33260 versus 76468, 56.5 percent. Integer math: 43894 versus 99819, 56 percent. Multithread: 14839 versus 31124, 52.3 percent. Physics: 1141 versus 2493, 54.2 percent. Random string sorting: 17783 versus 35798, 50.3 percent, the smallest multi-threaded gap. Single thread: 3482 versus 4219, 17.5 percent.

The single-thread gap deserves attention. At 17.5 percent, it is dramatically smaller than the roughly 52 percent margins seen elsewhere. This indicates the Core 5 223PE's higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz helps in single-threaded work, but the Core 3 201E's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and identical microarchitecture keep it closer. The Core 3 201E's lower L3 cache and half the cores hurt it more in parallel workloads than in serial ones.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded fields. Core count: 4 versus 8. Threads: 8 versus 16. Base clock: 3.60 GHz versus 2.90 GHz. Boost clock: 4.80 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. TDP: 60 watts versus 65 watts. Die size: 163 mm² for the Core 3 201E, no recorded value for the Core 5 223PE. L2 cache per core: 1.25 MB versus 2 MB. L3 cache shared: 12 MB versus 24 MB. Memory bandwidth: 76.8 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. Release date: January 2025 for the Core 3 201E, March 2026 for the Core 5 223PE. Launch MSRP: $134 for the Core 3 201E, $232 for the Core 5 223PE. Part number: SRVTR versus SA4QF. Percentile versus all CPUs: 73rd versus 87th. Average benchmark score: 19056 versus 40585.

Fields that are identical include the socket (Intel Socket 1700), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (true), PCIe (Gen 5, 16 lanes), integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), market segment (Desktop), production status (Active), and multiplier unlock status (false). The nearest rivals also differ: the Core 3 201E competes with the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS at 19047 and the Intel Core i5-12400F at 19039, while the Core 5 223PE's closest competitor is the Intel Core 7 253PE at 40557, with the Intel Xeon 6357P at 40630 showing a negative delta of 0.1 percent.