Intel Core 5 211E vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark record for these two Bartlett Lake desktop processors shows a clear overall winner, but the margin varies sharply by workload type. Across 17 recorded tests, the Intel Core 7 251TE takes 13 wins while the Intel Core 5 211E takes 4. The average benchmark score for the Core 7 251TE sits at 41650, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 5 211E averages 37829, good for the 86th percentile.

The Core 7 251TE dominates in rendering and compute-heavy tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 25518 against 20389 for the Core 5 211E, a 20.1% advantage. The same pattern repeats across older Cinebench versions: R20 multi-core shows 10717 versus 8563 (20.1% gap), and R15 multi-core shows 2572 versus 2055 (20.1% gap). Single-core Cinebench results also favor the Core 7 251TE consistently. R23 single-core reads 3602 versus 2878, R20 single-core reads 1512 versus 1208, and R15 single-core reads 362 versus 289. Each of these single-core gaps lands at roughly 20.1% to 20.2%.

PassMark integer math shows the Core 7 251TE at 125739 against 88117 for the Core 5 211E, a 29.9% lead. Floating point math follows with 85607 versus 66402, a 22.4% margin. The Core 7 251TE also leads in multi-threaded PassMark with 30022 versus 23833 (20.6% ahead), in data encryption with 22176 versus 17938 (19.1% ahead), and in random string sorting with 39643 versus 34308 (13.5% ahead).

The most dramatic differences appear in two specialized tests. PassMark physics scores 1938 for the Core 7 251TE versus 702 for the Core 5 211E, a 63.8% advantage. PassMark find prime numbers shows 140 for the Core 7 251TE versus 43 for the Core 5 211E, a 69.3% margin. These large gaps suggest the Core 7 251TE handles certain algorithmic workloads far more efficiently.

The Core 5 211E wins are concentrated in four specific areas. PassMark single-thread shows 4006 versus 3568, a 12.3% advantage for the Core 5 211E. This result appears twice in the records under slightly different test names. PassMark extended instructions reads 21592 versus 16974, a 27.2% margin for the Core 5 211E. PassMark data compression shows 346757 versus 334399, a 3.7% edge for the Core 5 211E.

The compression result is notable because the Core 7 251TE wins most other throughput tests yet falls behind here. The extended instructions gap is the largest single win for the Core 5 211E, suggesting its instruction handling outperforms the Core 7 251TE in that specific benchmark. The single-thread PassMark win indicates the Core 5 211E has a per-thread performance advantage in that test, even though Cinebench single-core tests go the other direction.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE averages 41650 across all recorded benchmarks, while the Intel Core 5 211E averages 37829. The Core 7 251TE also ranks higher in percentile, sitting at 88th versus 86th for the Core 5 211E.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench?

A: The Core 7 251TE leads by 20.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (25518 versus 20389), R20 multi-core (10717 versus 8563), and R15 multi-core (2572 versus 2055).

Q: Does the Core 5 211E win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark single-thread (4006 versus 3568, a 12.3% margin), PassMark extended instructions (21592 versus 16974, a 27.2% margin), and PassMark data compression (346757 versus 334399, a 3.7% margin).

Q: How do the two processors compare in PassMark physics?

A: The Core 7 251TE scores 1938 versus 702 for the Core 5 211E, giving the Core 7 251TE a 63.8% advantage in that test.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor in the database?

A: The Core 5 211E sits within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132, AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435, AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, and Intel Core i9-14901E. The Core 7 251TE sits within 0.6% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H, Intel Core i7-14650HX, Intel Core i7-12850HX, and Intel Core i7-14700T.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Core 5 211E and the Core 7 251TE list ECC memory support as true.

Architecture Differences

Both processors come from the Bartlett Lake family, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel foundries. They share the same Intel Socket 1700 package and both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. Both offer PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The core configurations diverge substantially. The Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. That thread count difference explains much of the multi-core performance spread. The Core 5 211E runs a 2.70 GHz base clock with a 4.90 GHz boost, while the Core 7 251TE runs a lower 1.40 GHz base clock but a higher 5.40 GHz boost. The thermal design point differs as well: 65 watts for the Core 5 211E versus 45 watts for the Core 7 251TE. Despite the higher core count, the Core 7 251TE carries a lower TDP.

Cache layouts differ in both per-core and shared allocations. Each processor has 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 2 MB per core on the Core 5 211E but 1.25 MB per core on the Core 7 251TE. The shared L3 cache is 20 MB on the Core 5 211E and 36 MB on the Core 7 251TE. Die size also differs: 257 mm² for the Core 5 211E versus 215 mm² for the Core 7 251TE.

Memory bandwidth shows a gap. The Core 7 251TE lists 89.6 GB/s, while the Core 5 211E lists 76.8 GB/s. This difference may contribute to the Core 7 251TE's advantage in memory-sensitive workloads such as data encryption and integer math.

Integrated graphics differ between the two. The Core 5 211E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core 7 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770. Both are integrated into the same socket platform, but the graphics tier is higher on the Core 7 251TE.

The production status for both is active, and both were released on the same date. The part numbers are distinct: SRQERQ65F for the Core 5 211E and SRQAXQ5ZG for the Core 7 251TE. The launch MSRP is $221 for the Core 5 211E and $384 for the Core 7 251TE.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a straightforward performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins 13 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and holds a 10.1% higher average benchmark score (41650 versus 37829). Its Cinebench wins are uniform at approximately 20.1% across every multi-core and single-core test in that suite. In PassMark physics and prime number finding, its margins exceed 60%. For rendering, scientific computing, integer-heavy workloads, and general multi-threaded throughput, the Core 7 251TE is the stronger part.

The Core 5 211E has a narrower set of advantages. Its single-thread PassMark score leads by 12.3%, its extended instructions score leads by 27.2%, and its data compression score leads by 3.7%. These wins indicate that the Core 5 211E retains an edge in specific instruction-heavy or single-threaded database operations. However, those wins do not offset the Core 7 251TE's broader dominance.

The percentile placement reinforces this view. The Core 7 251TE sits at the 88th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 211E sits at the 86th percentile. The nearest rival groups also differ in tier. The Core 5 211E matches against AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 and Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 within 0.2%, while the Core 7 251TE matches against Intel Core Ultra 7 265H and Core i7-14650HX within 0.2%. The Core 7 251TE's rivals are higher-performing parts in the database's ranking.

Neither processor offers an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking headroom is not part of the comparison. Both use the same socket and memory generation support, so platform compatibility is similar for DDR4 and DDR5 builds.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, clock speeds, thermal design, cache layout, memory bandwidth, integrated graphics, die size, and launch MSRP.

Core count: 10 cores and 16 threads for the Core 5 211E, 24 cores and 32 threads for the Core 7 251TE.

Base clock: 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 211E, 1.40 GHz for the Core 7 251TE.

Boost clock: 4.90 GHz for the Core 5 211E, 5.40 GHz for the Core 7 251TE.

TDP: 65 watts for the Core 5 211E, 45 watts for the Core 7 251TE.

L2 cache: 2 MB per core for the Core 5 211E, 1.25 MB per core for the Core 7 251TE.

L3 cache: 20 MB shared for the Core 5 211E, 36 MB shared for the Core 7 251TE.

Memory bandwidth: 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 211E, 89.6 GB/s for the Core 7 251TE.

Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 5 211E, UHD Graphics 770 for the Core 7 251TE.

Die size: 257 mm² for the Core 5 211E, 215 mm² for the Core 7 251TE.

Launch MSRP: $221 for the Core 5 211E, $384 for the Core 7 251TE.

Identical between the two: Intel Socket 1700, Bartlett Lake codename, 10 nm process, Intel foundry, 80 KB L1 per core, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, desktop market segment, active production status, release date of 2025-01-12, and locked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins in multi-core rendering, as shown by its 20.1% lead across all three Cinebench multi-core tests. It also wins in single-core Cinebench tests by the same approximate margin, indicating a boost clock advantage in that suite. Integer math, floating point math, data encryption, random string sorting, physics, prime number finding, and PassMark multi-thread all go to the Core 7 251TE. Its 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth likely supports the encryption and sorting wins. The physics and prime number margins (63.8% and 69.3% respectively) are the largest in the record, making the Core 7 251TE the clear choice for physics simulation and prime-number-related workloads.

The Intel Core 5 211E wins in PassMark single-thread performance with a 12.3% margin, in PassMark extended instructions with a 27.2% margin, and in PassMark data compression with a 3.7% margin. These wins cluster around instruction-level efficiency and compression throughput. For workloads that depend on extended instruction set execution or data compression, the Core 5 211E delivers better results despite its lower core count. Its single-thread PassMark advantage suggests it handles certain single-threaded database tasks more quickly, even though Cinebench single-core results favor the Core 7 251TE.

The overall win count stands at 4 for the Core 5 211E and 13 for the Core 7 251TE. The average benchmark scores of 37829 and 41650 respectively confirm the Core 7 251TE as the higher-performing processor in the database's aggregate measurements. Users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput, physics computation, encryption, or integer-heavy processing should select the Core 7 251TE. Users prioritizing extended instruction execution, data compression, or the specific single-thread PassMark metric should select the Core 5 211E.