Intel Core 3 201TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 3 201TE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F occupy different positions in the desktop processor stack, and the benchmark data shows a clear separation in performance. The Core Ultra 5 225F holds the advantage across every measured workload, while the Core 3 201TE offers no benchmark wins in the recorded data. The Core Ultra 5 225F achieves an average benchmark score of 37,313, placing it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 3 201TE sits at the 50th percentile with an average benchmark score of zero, indicating that no benchmark results are recorded for it in the database.

The Core Ultra 5 225F delivers a multi-core score of 16,467 in Cinebench R23, a result that places it within 0.5% of the Intel Core i7-13700, which scores 37,135 on the same average benchmark scale. The single-core Cinebench R23 result of 1,893 for the Core Ultra 5 225F shows a strong per-thread performance that aligns with its 4.90 GHz boost clock. In Cinebench R20, the Core Ultra 5 225F scores 11,059 in multi-core and 1,561 in single-core, while in the older Cinebench R15 test it records 2,660 multi-core and 287 single-core.

The PassMark suite adds further detail for the Core Ultra 5 225F. The multi-thread score of 31,004 and single-thread score of 4,397 demonstrate consistent throughput across both parallel and serial workloads. Data compression reaches 310,843, while encryption processes 22,648 operations. Extended instructions score 28,027, floating point math reaches 92,554, and integer math hits 66,417. Prime number finding scores 352, random string sorting scores 37,325, and the physics test records 2,430.

Comparing the Core Ultra 5 225F to its nearest rivals in the database, the data shows a tightly grouped field. The Intel Core i9-13900HK leads the group with an average score of 37,425, and the Core Ultra 5 225F trails by 0.3%. The AMD Ryzen 7 7735H scores 37,161, which places it 0.4% behind the Core Ultra 5 225F. The Intel Core i7-13700 and AMD Ryzen 7 160 both sit within 0.5% of the Core Ultra 5 225F, with scores of 37,135 and 37,117 respectively. This grouping indicates that the Core Ultra 5 225F performs at the level of established high-end mobile and desktop chips from the previous generation.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 225F wins in every category where benchmark data exists. The 10-core, 10-thread configuration with a 3.30 GHz base clock and 4.90 GHz boost clock gives it a substantial advantage in multi-threaded applications. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16,467 confirms that heavily threaded workloads, such as video rendering or compilation tasks, will see significantly higher throughput than the Core 3 201TE can offer. The PassMark multi-thread score of 31,004 reinforces this conclusion.

The single-core results also favor the Core Ultra 5 225F. A Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1,893 and a PassMark single-thread score of 4,397 indicate strong performance in lightly threaded applications like web browsing, office productivity, and legacy software. The higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, combined with the newer 3 nm process node from TSMC, contributes to this result.

The Core 3 201TE, with its 4 cores and 8 threads, a 2.90 GHz base clock, and 4.60 GHz boost clock, has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. The data cannot quantify its wins because no measurements exist. The processor does offer integrated UHD Graphics 730, whereas the Core Ultra 5 225F has no integrated graphics. This makes the Core 3 201TE the only option in this comparison for a system without a discrete GPU, though the database contains no graphics benchmarks to quantify the difference.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and use different manufacturing processes. The Core 3 201TE is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture using Intel\'s 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses the Arrow Lake architecture on TSMC\'s 3 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 225F integrates 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 3 201TE has a 163 mm² die size with no transistor count listed in the database.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 3 201TE provides 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225F offers 10 cores and 10 threads. The Core Ultra 5 225F has no hyper-threading, as threads equal cores, while the Core 3 201TE doubles its thread count through simultaneous multi-threading.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 3 201TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225F has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches and the 8 MB additional shared L3 cache in the Core Ultra 5 225F support its higher throughput in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Core 3 201TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 76.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 225F supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Core 3 201TE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 225F does not. The Core 3 201TE uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses Intel Socket 1851.

PCIe connectivity differs. The Core 3 201TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 5 225F provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 225F offers four additional CPU-attached lanes for expansion devices.

Power characteristics differ as well. The Core 3 201TE has a 45 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 5 225F has a 65 W TDP. The Core Ultra 5 225F consumes more power but delivers substantially higher performance, while the Core 3 201TE offers a lower power envelope suitable for systems with modest cooling requirements.

Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither supports manual overclocking through multiplier adjustment. The Core 3 201TE was released on January 12, 2025, while the Core Ultra 5 225F was released on January 6, 2025, making the Core Ultra 5 225F the earlier launch by six days.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F has 10 cores and 10 threads, while the Intel Core 3 201TE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 5 225F support ECC memory?

A: No, the Core Ultra 5 225F does not support ECC memory. The Core 3 201TE does support ECC memory.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two processors?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225F boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Core 3 201TE boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core 3 201TE includes UHD Graphics 730. The Core Ultra 5 225F has no integrated graphics.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Core 3 201TE has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, and the Core Ultra 5 225F has 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core 3 201TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 225F supports only DDR5.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a decisive performance advantage for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F. With a 50th percentile ranking for the Core 3 201TE and an 85th percentile ranking for the Core Ultra 5 225F, the latter sits far higher in the overall performance distribution. The Core Ultra 5 225F also has a 10-core configuration versus 4 cores, a 4.90 GHz boost clock versus 4.60 GHz, a 3 nm process node versus 10 nm, and 20 MB of L3 cache versus 12 MB. Every architectural specification in the database favors the Core Ultra 5 225F except TDP, ECC support, integrated graphics, and memory type flexibility.

Users who require ECC memory support, DDR4 compatibility, or integrated graphics should select the Core 3 201TE. The UHD Graphics 730 in the Core 3 201TE enables a system to operate without a discrete GPU, and the 45 W TDP makes it suitable for compact or low-power builds. The dual memory support allows reuse of existing DDR4 modules or migration to DDR5.

Users who prioritize compute performance should select the Core Ultra 5 225F. The recorded benchmarks show it performs on par with the Intel Core i9-13900HK, AMD Ryzen 7 7735H, Intel Core i7-13700, and AMD Ryzen 7 160, all within 0.5% of each other in average score. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16,467 and single-core score of 1,893, along with the PassMark multi-thread score of 31,004, provide the evidence for this conclusion. The 65 W TDP requires a stronger cooling solution than the Core 3 201TE, and the absence of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is mandatory. The four additional PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU provide more expansion headroom for storage or accelerators.

The launch MSRP for the Core 3 201TE is $134, and the launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 225F is $231. Both processors are active in production as of their January 2025 release dates. The Core Ultra 5 225F delivers the higher performance and the higher percentile ranking, while the Core 3 201TE delivers platform flexibility through its memory and graphics options. The data does not support a scenario where the Core 3 201TE outperforms the Core Ultra 5 225F in compute workloads, as no benchmark results are recorded for the Core 3 201TE in the database.