Intel Core 5 211E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark results for the Intel Core 5 211E against the Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL. The Intel Core 5 211E has a full suite of recorded measurements, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has no benchmark entries at all. This absence of data is itself informative: the Core Ultra 5 125HL cannot be positioned on any performance curve from the recorded measurements, whereas the Core 5 211E sits at the 86th percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 37829.

For the Core 5 211E, the recorded scores show a clear multi-core strength. In Cinebench R23, it delivers a multi-core score of 20389 and a single-core score of 2878. The R20 run shows 8563 multi-core and 1208 single-core, while R15 shows 2055 multi-core and 289 single-core. PassMark results reinforce the same pattern: multithread score of 23833, single-thread score of 4006, integer math at 88117, floating point math at 66402, and extended instructions at 21592. Data encryption hits 17938, data compression reaches 346757, random string sorting lands at 34308, and physics comes in at 702. The find prime numbers test returns a low 43, which stands out as an outlier relative to the other PassMark scores.

The Core Ultra 5 125HL has no comparable numbers in the database. Its average benchmark score is recorded as 0, and its percentile vs all CPUs is 50. No nearest rivals are listed for it, which limits any comparative analysis. The only meaningful comparison between the two parts in the current data is structural, not performance-based.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in their underlying design. The Intel Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. It is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry, with a die size of 257 mm². The Core Ultra 5 125HL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS codename, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1. It is built on a 7 nm process node, also at Intel's foundry, with no die size recorded.

Core counts differ meaningfully. The Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125HL has 14 cores and 18 threads. The Core Ultra part has four more cores and two more threads, which suggests a different core layout, likely mixing performance and efficiency cores, though the database does not specify the exact arrangement.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 5 211E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 125HL has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra part has larger per-core L1 cache but smaller shared L3 cache.

Clock speeds favor the Core 5 211E. It has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 125HL has a base clock of 1.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Core 5 211E runs at a higher base frequency by 1.50 GHz and boosts higher by 0.40 GHz.

Thermal design power differs as well. The Core 5 211E carries a TDP of 65 watts, while the Core Ultra 5 125HL has a TDP of 45 watts. The Core Ultra part draws less power by 20 watts, which may indicate a more power-efficient design, though the database does not include efficiency measurements.

Memory support shows a split. The Core 5 211E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, with dual-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 125HL supports DDR5 memory, with the note that support depends on the motherboard, also dual-channel, with a higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It does not support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs. The Core 5 211E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 125HL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The Core 5 211E offers newer and wider PCIe connectivity.

Integrated graphics are different. The Core 5 211E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 125HL uses Arc Xe-LPG 112EU. The database does not include graphics benchmarks for either part.

Sockets are not interchangeable. The Core 5 211E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 125HL uses Intel Socket 1851.

Release timing also differs. The Core 5 211E was released on 2025-01-12, while the Core Ultra 5 125HL was released earlier on 2024-04-07. The Core 5 211E is the newer product by roughly nine months.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a straightforward choice for users who need measured performance. The Intel Core 5 211E has extensive benchmark scores and ranks at the 86th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has no benchmark scores at all, ranks at the 50th percentile, and has no rivals listed for comparison. For any workload where performance is the deciding factor, the Core 5 211E is the only one of the two with evidence of capability.

The Core 5 211E also offers higher clock speeds, a larger shared L3 cache, ECC memory support, DDR4 compatibility, Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, and a newer release date. The Core Ultra 5 125HL offers more cores and threads, a larger per-core L1 cache, higher memory bandwidth, a lower TDP, and a more advanced integrated graphics unit. These features could matter for specific use cases, but without benchmark data, their practical impact cannot be quantified.

The Core Ultra 5 125HL may fit a scenario where lower power consumption and more cores are priorities, but the absence of any recorded scores means its performance relative to the Core 5 211E remains unknown. The Core 5 211E is the defensible choice based on the data available.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: How do the core counts compare between the two?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has 14 cores and 18 threads, while the Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core 5 211E has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has the larger shared L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the PCIe specifications for each?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 211E wins on every measured benchmark in the database, simply because it is the only one with recorded scores. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 20389 and single-core score of 2878 establish a baseline for performance. PassMark results show strength in multithread work at 23833, single-thread work at 4006, and data compression at 346757. For tasks like rendering, video encoding, or database operations that rely on integer and floating point math, the Core 5 211E has documented scores of 88117 and 66402 respectively.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has no recorded wins in any benchmark category. Its advantages are architectural rather than measured. It has more cores and threads, which could benefit heavily parallel workloads, but no data confirms this. It has a lower TDP of 45 watts compared to 65 watts, which may favor compact or thermally constrained systems. Its Arc Xe-LPG 112EU integrated graphics are likely more capable than UHD Graphics 730, but no graphics benchmarks are recorded. Its higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s could help memory-bound applications, but again, no scores verify this.

For users choosing strictly on recorded data, the Core 5 211E wins in every category. For users weighing architectural features, the Core Ultra 5 125HL wins on core count, power draw, memory bandwidth, and integrated graphics, but those wins are unquantified.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on the following recorded specifications:

• Cores: Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has 14 cores.
• Threads: Intel Core 5 211E has 16 threads; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has 18 threads.
• Base clock: Intel Core 5 211E is 2.70 GHz; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL is 1.20 GHz.
• Boost clock: Intel Core 5 211E is 4.90 GHz; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL is 4.50 GHz.
• TDP: Intel Core 5 211E is 65 watts; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL is 45 watts.
• Socket: Intel Core 5 211E uses Intel Socket 1700; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL uses Intel Socket 1851.
• Codename: Intel Core 5 211E is Bartlett Lake; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL is Meteor Lake-PS.
• Process node: Intel Core 5 211E is 10 nm; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL is 7 nm.
• L1 cache: Intel Core 5 211E has 80 KB per core; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has 112 KB per core.
• L3 cache: Intel Core 5 211E has 20 MB shared; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has 18 MB shared.
• Memory support: Intel Core 5 211E supports DDR4 and DDR5; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL supports DDR5 only.
• Memory bandwidth: Intel Core 5 211E is 76.8 GB/s; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL is 89.6 GB/s.
• ECC memory: Intel Core 5 211E supports ECC; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL does not.
• PCIe: Intel Core 5 211E is Gen 5 with 16 lanes; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL is Gen 4 with 8 lanes.
• Integrated graphics: Intel Core 5 211E uses UHD Graphics 730; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL uses Arc Xe-LPG 112EU.
• Release date: Intel Core 5 211E is 2025-01-12; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL is 2024-04-07.
• Launch MSRP: Intel Core 5 211E is $221; Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL is $325.