Intel Core 3 201E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 3 201E and the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL have no direct head-to-head benchmark records in the database. The database contains a full set of 17 benchmark scores for the Core 3 201E, including Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and PassMark tests. The Core Ultra 5 135UL has no recorded benchmark scores in any test suite. This means the comparison relies entirely on the recorded specifications and the aggregate performance metrics available for the Core 3 201E.

The Core 3 201E posts a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12613 and a single-core score of 1780. In Cinebench R20, it scores 5297 multi-core and 747 single-core. The R15 results are 1271 multi-core and 179 single-core. PassMark results show a single-thread score of 3482, a multi-thread score of 14839, integer math at 43894, floating point math at 33260, extended instructions at 11035, data compression at 164160, data encryption at 8931, random string sorting at 17783, prime number finding at 57, and physics at 1141. The average benchmark score sits at 19056, placing the chip in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Because the Core Ultra 5 135UL has no recorded benchmarks, no direct score comparisons can be made. The only quantitative comparison available comes from the aggregate percentile and average score fields: the Core 3 201E holds a 73rd percentile rank with an average score of 19056, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL holds a 50th percentile rank with an average score of 0. The percentile difference is substantial, but the zero average score for the Ultra 5 indicates a lack of measured data rather than a literal zero performance result.

Rival comparisons for the Core 3 201E show it within 0.4% of several chips. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS averages 19047, a delta of 0%. The Intel Core i5-12400F averages 19039, a delta of 0.1%. The Intel Core i5-1335U averages 18982, a delta of 0.4%. The AMD EPYC 7773X averages 18979, a delta of 0.4%. These deltas place the Core 3 201E essentially level with those processors in aggregate performance, despite very different core counts and power envelopes in some cases.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split between these two processors. The Intel Core 3 201E is the only one of the two with recorded benchmark results, and those results place it in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs. The Core Ultra 5 135UL has no benchmark records, which means no measured performance evidence exists in the database. For any workload where benchmark scores matter, the Core 3 201E is the only option with verifiable data.

The Core 3 201E also carries a higher single-core boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.40 GHz for the Ultra 5, and a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 1.60 GHz. The Core 3 has a TDP of 60 watts against 15 watts for the Ultra 5. The higher clocks and power budget align with the recorded performance advantage. The 73rd percentile ranking for the Core 3 versus the 50th percentile for the Ultra 5 reinforces this, though the Ultra 5's ranking comes without any benchmark data behind it.

The Core Ultra 5 135UL offers more cores and threads: 12 cores and 14 threads versus 4 cores and 8 threads. It also uses a 7 nm process node versus 10 nm for the Core 3, and features Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics versus UHD Graphics 730. For workloads that scale with core count and rely on the integrated GPU, the Ultra 5 has a structural advantage on paper. But the lack of measured scores means that advantage remains theoretical in this database.

The launch MSRP for the Core 3 201E is $134, and for the Core Ultra 5 135UL it is $331. The Core 3 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851. The Core 3 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only, with the caveat that support depends on the motherboard. The Core 3 supports ECC memory; the Ultra 5 does not. The Core 3 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes; the Ultra 5 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes.

Architecture Differences

The Core 3 201E is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, part of the Core 3 generation, and uses a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. Its cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The die size is 163 mm², and the part number is SRVTR. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730.

The Core Ultra 5 135UL is built on the Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS codename, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1 generation. It uses a 7 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It has 12 cores and 14 threads, with a base clock of 1.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its cache layout includes 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The die size is not recorded. The integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, and the part number is SRN97.

The architectural differences are substantial. The Ultra 5 uses a newer process node (7 nm versus 10 nm), which typically allows for higher transistor density and better power efficiency. The Ultra 5 also has three times the core count and nearly double the thread count. The L1 and L2 caches are larger per core on the Ultra 5, at 112 KB and 2 MB respectively, versus 80 KB and 1.25 MB on the Core 3. Both share 12 MB of L3 cache.

The Core 3 uses the older Bartlett Lake architecture on Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 uses Meteor Lake on Socket 1851. The sockets are incompatible, which means motherboard selection is entirely different for each chip. The Ultra 5's Meteor Lake architecture also includes a different integrated GPU solution, the Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, which is a more capable graphics unit than the UHD Graphics 730 found in the Core 3.

Specification Differences

The specifications diverge in several key areas. The Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads; the Ultra 5 135UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz versus 1.60 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.80 GHz versus 4.40 GHz. TDP is 60 watts versus 15 watts. The process node is 10 nm versus 7 nm.

Memory support differs: the Core 3 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only, with motherboard dependency noted. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s for the Core 3 and 89.6 GB/s for the Ultra 5. ECC memory is supported on the Core 3 but not on the Ultra 5. PCIe generation and lanes differ: Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Core 3, Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the Ultra 5.

The integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 3, Arc Xe-LPG 64EU for the Ultra 5. The sockets differ: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 3, Intel Socket 1851 for the Ultra 5. The release dates differ: the Core 3 launched in January 2025, while the Ultra 5 launched in April 2024. The launch MSRP is $134 for the Core 3 and $331 for the Ultra 5. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The die size is 163 mm² for the Core 3 and not recorded for the Ultra 5.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core clock speed?

A: The Intel Core 3 201E has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Core 3 also has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 1.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. The Intel Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 201E support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Core 3 201E supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 135UL does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Core 3 201E has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking in the database?

A: The Core 3 201E is in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL is in the 50th percentile. The Core 3 also has an average benchmark score of 19056, while the Ultra 5 has no recorded benchmark scores.

Q: What are the PCIe specifications for each processor?

A: The Core 3 201E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 5 135UL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 3 201E wins on every measured performance metric in this database. It has recorded Cinebench and PassMark scores across all tests, an average benchmark score of 19056, and a 73rd percentile ranking. Its higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz and base clock of 3.60 GHz give it a clear advantage in single-threaded workloads, as evidenced by the PassMark single-thread score of 3482 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1780. The Core 3 also wins on PCIe connectivity with Gen 5 and 16 lanes, supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, includes ECC support, and carries a lower launch MSRP of $134.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL wins on structural specifications that favor multi-threaded and power-constrained scenarios. Its 12 cores and 14 threads triple the core count of the Core 3, which could benefit heavily parallel workloads if measured. The 7 nm process node versus 10 nm suggests better power efficiency per transistor, and the TDP of 15 watts versus 60 watts indicates a much lower power envelope. The Ultra 5 also has higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s, a larger L1 cache per core at 112 KB, a larger L2 cache per core at 2 MB, and a more capable integrated GPU in the Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. However, none of these advantages are backed by benchmark scores in the database, so they remain specification-level wins rather than measured performance wins.

For desktop users who prioritize verified performance, the Core 3 201E is the only chip with data supporting its claims. For users who prioritize core count, power efficiency, integrated graphics capability, and memory bandwidth on paper, the Ultra 5 135UL offers those features. The socket difference means the choice also dictates the motherboard platform: Socket 1700 for the Core 3, Socket 1851 for the Ultra 5.