Intel Core 3 201TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 238V Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is the clear winner across every recorded benchmark in the database. The Core 3 201TE has no benchmark entries, meaning the entire performance comparison rests on the Ultra 5's measured scores. The Ultra 5 238V posts an average benchmark score of 21981, placing it at the 75th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 3 201TE sits at the 50th percentile with an average score of zero, reflecting the absence of recorded test data.

The use-case split is therefore one-sided: for any workload that appears in the benchmark suite, the Ultra 5 238V delivers the measurable result. Cinebench tests show strong multicore and singlecore capability. In Cinebench R23, the chip scores 15645 multicore and 2208 singlecore. PassMark tests cover data compression (176532), data encryption (13072), extended instructions (15377), prime number finding (174), floating point math (53160), integer math (38889), multithread (18407), physics (1546), random string sorting (21585), and single thread (3890). These scores define the Ultra 5's performance envelope across synthetic rendering, mathematical workloads, and memory-intensive operations.

The Core 3 201TE, by contrast, has no recorded scores in any of these tests. Its strengths can only be inferred from its specifications, not from benchmark data. The database records no wins for either processor in head-to-head tests, but since the Ultra 5 has 17 benchmark entries and the Core 3 has none, the practical advantage belongs entirely to the Ultra 5 in measured terms.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and target different market segments. The Core 3 201TE is a Desktop chip using the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm Intel process. The Ultra 5 238V is a Mobile chip from the Core Ultra Series 2, using the Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm TSMC process. The node difference is substantial: 10 nm versus 3 nm, which explains the Ultra 5's lower thermal envelope.

Core counts differ. The Core 3 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Ultra 5 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Ultra 5 does not use simultaneous multithreading; it relies on physical cores only. The Core 3 uses Hyper-Threading to reach 8 threads from 4 cores. Base clocks are 2.90 GHz for the Core 3 and 2.10 GHz for the Ultra 5, while boost clocks are 4.60 GHz and 4.70 GHz respectively. The Ultra 5 boosts slightly higher despite a lower base clock.

Cache layouts diverge significantly. The Core 3 offers 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The Ultra 5 offers 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Per-core L1 and L2 are larger on the Ultra 5, but total L3 is smaller. The die size for the Core 3 is 163 mm²; no die size is recorded for the Ultra 5.

Memory support also differs. The Core 3 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Ultra 5's memory support is listed as unknown and dependent on the motherboard, with no bandwidth figure recorded, and it does not support ECC. PCIe lanes differ: the Core 3 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 3 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 5 uses Arc 130V.

The Verdict

The recorded data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V is the only one of these two processors with benchmark results, and those results place it in the 75th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 3 201TE has no benchmark entries and sits at the 50th percentile by default. For any workload measured in the database, the Ultra 5 238V is the superior choice.

The Ultra 5's average benchmark score of 21981 places it alongside the Intel Core i7-11700F and AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, both with an average score near 21988 and a delta of 0%. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V trails by 0.1%, and the AMD EPYC 9534 trails by 0.4%. This indicates the Ultra 5 238V performs at the level of a previous-generation desktop i7 and a popular Ryzen 5, despite being a mobile-class chip.

The Core 3 201TE, lacking recorded scores, cannot be positioned against these rivals. Its launch MSRP is $134, which positions it as an entry desktop part, but the database contains no measured evidence of its performance. The Ultra 5's 8 cores, higher boost clock, larger per-core caches, and 3 nm process node all point to a more capable processor on paper. The absence of benchmark data for the Core 3 means the verdict rests on the Ultra 5's recorded results alone.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 238V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core 3 201TE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 5 238V support ECC memory?

A: No. ECC memory support is listed as false for the Ultra 5. The Core 3 201TE does support ECC memory.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The Core 3 201TE uses a 10 nm Intel process. The Core Ultra 5 238V uses a 3 nm TSMC process.

Q: How does the Core Ultra 5 238V compare to the Intel Core i7-11700F?

A: The Ultra 5 238V has an average benchmark score of 21981, while the Core i7-11700F has an average score of 21988. The delta is 0%, meaning they perform at essentially the same level.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 5 238V boosts to 4.70 GHz. The Core 3 201TE boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: What is the market segment for each chip?

A: The Core 3 201TE is a Desktop processor using the Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 5 238V is a Mobile processor using the Intel BGA 2833 socket.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database lists no direct head-to-head benchmark entries for these two processors. However, the Ultra 5 238V has 17 individual benchmark scores, while the Core 3 201TE has none. This creates a de facto comparison where the Ultra 5 wins every measurable test by default.

In Cinebench R15, the Ultra 5 scores 1576 multicore and 222 singlecore. In Cinebench R20, it scores 6570 multicore and 927 singlecore. In Cinebench R23, it scores 15645 multicore and 2208 singlecore. These results show a processor that scales well from single-threaded to multi-threaded workloads.

PassMark results add further detail. Data compression scores 176532, indicating strong throughput for compression workloads. Data encryption scores 13072, while extended instructions score 15377. Integer math scores 38889, floating point math scores 53160, and prime number finding scores 174. Multithread performance scores 18407, physics scores 1546, and random string sorting scores 21585. Single-thread performance scores 3890.

The nearest rivals to the Ultra 5 238V provide context for these numbers. The Intel Core i7-11700F averages 21988, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X averages 21992, the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V averages 21952, and the AMD EPYC 9534 averages 21900. The Ultra 5 238V's average of 21981 sits within 0.4% of all four. This suggests the Ultra 5 238V competes with desktop processors from previous generations, a notable result for a 17 W mobile chip.

The Core 3 201TE has no such context. Its percentile of 50 places it at the median of all CPUs, but without benchmark scores, this figure reflects only the absence of data. The recorded data indicates the Ultra 5 238V is the stronger performer in every category measured.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category.

Cores and Threads: The Core 3 201TE has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ultra 5 238V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Clocks: The Core 3 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Ultra 5 has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

TDP: The Core 3 has a TDP of 45 W. The Ultra 5 has a TDP of 17 W.

Socket: The Core 3 uses Intel Socket 1700. The Ultra 5 uses Intel BGA 2833.

Process Node: The Core 3 uses a 10 nm Intel process. The Ultra 5 uses a 3 nm TSMC process.

Cache: The Core 3 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The Ultra 5 has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3.

Memory: The Core 3 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. It also supports ECC. The Ultra 5 has unknown memory support that depends on the motherboard, with no bandwidth recorded and no ECC support.

PCIe: The Core 3 provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated Graphics: The Core 3 uses UHD Graphics 730. The Ultra 5 uses Arc 130V.

Market Segment: The Core 3 is a Desktop chip. The Ultra 5 is a Mobile chip.

Release Date: The Core 3 was released on 2025-01-12. The Ultra 5 was released on 2024-09-23.

Launch MSRP: The Core 3 has a launch MSRP of $134. The Ultra 5 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Part Numbers: The Core 3 is SRPKDQ5CK. The Ultra 5 is SRPN5SRPN4.

Both processors have locked multipliers, and both are active in production. The Ultra 5's 8 physical cores, higher boost clock, larger per-core caches, and advanced 3 nm process give it a specification-level advantage that aligns with its benchmark dominance. The Core 3's advantages lie in ECC support, higher memory bandwidth, more PCIe lanes, and a lower launch MSRP of $134, but none of these translate into recorded performance wins in the database.