Intel Core 5 211E vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Intel Core 5 211E and Intel Core 5 221E are two desktop processors from the same Bartlett Lake family, built on Intel’s 10 nm process. Both share the same socket, integrated graphics, and memory support, but the 221E offers more cores, higher boost clocks, and a larger L3 cache. Benchmark data shows the 221E wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the 211E takes two PassMark workloads. The 221E also posts a higher average benchmark score, 40144 versus 37829, and a slightly better percentile ranking, 87th versus 86th. The 211E, however, has a lower launch MSRP, $221 versus $232, and delivers a notable win in extended instructions and data compression.

The Verdict

The data clearly separates these two processors by workload type. The Intel Core 5 221E is the stronger overall performer, as its average benchmark score of 40144 places it 6.1% above the 211E’s 37829. That gap appears across nearly every Cinebench and PassMark test, making the 221E the preferred choice for multithreaded rendering, physics simulation, integer math, and memory bandwidth-sensitive tasks. Its 14 cores and 20 threads, compared to 10 cores and 16 threads on the 211E, directly explain most of the performance advantage, particularly in tests like Cinebench R23 multicore where the 221E scores 25933 versus 20389, a 21.4% lead.

For users prioritizing single-thread performance, the 221E also wins, but by a smaller margin. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the 221E scores 3661 compared to 2878, a 21.4% difference, while PassMark single thread shows a narrower 3.4% gap, 4147 versus 4006. The 221E’s higher boost clock, 5.20 GHz versus 4.90 GHz, supports these results.

The Intel Core 5 211E, despite fewer wins, holds two specific advantages. In PassMark data compression, it scores 346757 versus 324285, a 6.9% lead. In PassMark extended instructions, it scores 21592 versus 18216, an 18.5% advantage. These results suggest the 211E has an edge in workloads that rely on specialized instruction sets or compression algorithms, even though it trails in raw core count and clock speed.

The 211E’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 and AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435, both within 0.2% of its average score. The 221E’s nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, sit within 0.2% of its 40144 average. This indicates both Intel parts compete closely with similar-tier AMD processors, but the 221E lands in a higher performance bracket.

The verdict from the data: choose the Intel Core 5 221E for general compute, rendering, and multithreaded workloads. Choose the Intel Core 5 211E only if the workload specifically involves data compression or extended instruction sets, where its wins are substantial, or if the $11 launch MSRP difference matters enough to accept lower scores elsewhere.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E, with an average score of 40144, compared to 37829 for the 211E. That is a 6.1% difference.

Q: Does the 211E win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the 211E wins two tests: PassMark data compression with a score of 346757 versus 324285, a 6.9% lead, and PassMark extended instructions with 21592 versus 18216, an 18.5% lead.

Q: How do the core counts differ?

A: The 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads. The 221E also has a larger L3 cache, 24 MB shared versus 20 MB shared.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speed?

A: The 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the 211E boosts to 4.90 GHz. Base clocks are identical at 2.70 GHz for both.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the 211E and 221E support ECC memory. Both also support DDR4 and DDR5, and both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The 221E ranks in the 87th percentile, while the 211E ranks in the 86th percentile. The difference is one percentile point.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 211E and Intel Core 5 221E both come from the Bartlett Lake codename and share the same 10 nm process node, Intel foundry, and 257 mm² die size. Both are desktop parts with an Intel Socket 1700, and both feature integrated UHD Graphics 730. The architecture is identical in terms of process and design, but the core configuration differs.

The 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. This core count difference is the primary architectural distinction. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core for both, and the L2 cache is 2 MB per core for both. The L3 cache, however, differs: the 211E has 20 MB shared, while the 221E has 24 MB shared. That additional 4 MB of L3 cache on the 221E provides more room for shared data across the extra cores.

Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but the memory bandwidth differs. The 211E has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the 221E has 89.6 GB/s. This 12.8 GB/s difference aligns with the 221E’s higher core count and likely contributes to its performance lead in memory-intensive benchmarks. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, and both support ECC memory.

The PCIe configuration is identical: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported. Both were released on the same date, 2025-01-12, and both are listed as Active production status. The part numbers differ, SRQERQ65F for the 211E and SRQDVQ659 for the 221E, but the underlying architecture, aside from core count and cache size, is the same.

The 221E’s higher boost clock, 5.20 GHz versus 4.90 GHz, is another architectural difference that affects single-thread performance. The base clock is the same, 2.70 GHz, for both. The integrated graphics are identical, UHD Graphics 730, so any difference in graphics-related tasks would stem from the CPU cores rather than the iGPU.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. Core count: the 211E has 10 cores, the 221E has 14 cores. Thread count: the 211E has 16 threads, the 221E has 20 threads. Boost clock: the 211E runs at 4.90 GHz, the 221E at 5.20 GHz. Base clock is identical, 2.70 GHz for both.

L3 cache: the 211E has 20 MB shared, the 221E has 24 MB shared. Memory bandwidth: the 211E delivers 76.8 GB/s, the 221E delivers 89.6 GB/s. Launch MSRP: the 211E is listed at $221, the 221E at $232. The 211E has a lower launch price, but the 221E offers more cores and cache.

Memory support is the same: both support DDR4 and DDR5, with dual-channel bus and ECC memory. PCIe is the same: Gen 5, 16 lanes from the CPU only. Integrated graphics are the same: UHD Graphics 730. Socket is the same: Intel Socket 1700. Process node, foundry, die size, and production status are all identical, with 10 nm, Intel, 257 mm², and Active, respectively.

The release date is the same, 2025-01-12, for both. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The market segment is Desktop for both. The only other difference is the part number and the average benchmark score, which reflects the performance gap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221E dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning 15 of 17 tests. The most decisive win comes in PassMark physics, where the 221E scores 2230 versus 702, a 68.5% lead. This indicates a substantial advantage in physics simulation, likely due to the extra cores and threads. PassMark find prime numbers shows a similar pattern: the 221E scores 173 versus 43, a 75.1% advantage, the largest delta in the entire comparison.

In Cinebench tests, the 221E consistently leads by 21.4%. Cinebench R23 multicore: 25933 versus 20389. Cinebench R23 singlecore: 3661 versus 2878. Cinebench R20 multicore: 10891 versus 8563. Cinebench R20 singlecore: 1537 versus 1208. Cinebench R15 multicore: 2613 versus 2055. Cinebench R15 singlecore: 368 versus 289. All show the same 21.4% delta, indicating a uniform performance scaling across Cinebench versions.

PassMark integer math shows a 25.2% lead for the 221E, with scores of 117813 versus 88117. PassMark multithread follows with a 21.9% lead, 30510 versus 23833. PassMark floating point math gives the 221E a 16% advantage, 79028 versus 66402. PassMark data encryption shows a 6.6% lead for the 221E, 19205 versus 17938. PassMark random string sorting has a 9% lead for the 221E, 37686 versus 34308. PassMark single thread shows a smaller 3.4% lead for the 221E, 4147 versus 4006, consistent across both single thread test entries.

The Intel Core 5 211E wins two tests. PassMark data compression: 346757 versus 324285, a 6.9% lead. PassMark extended instructions: 21592 versus 18216, an 18.5% lead. These wins are notable because they occur in specialized workloads, not general compute. The 211E’s compression advantage suggests an efficient implementation for that specific algorithm, while its extended instructions win indicates a broader instruction set advantage that does not translate to other tests.

The 221E’s average benchmark score of 40144 places it slightly above its nearest rivals, including the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081 and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 at 40048. The 211E’s average score of 37829 is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 at 37804 and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 at 37762. The 221E’s percentile ranking, 87th, is one point higher than the 211E’s 86th, reflecting its overall better standing in the database.