Intel Core 5 211E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX Comparison
Intel Core 5 211E
Core Ultra 5 235HX
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 211E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX
The Verdict
The benchmark data presents a decisive outcome: the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX outperforms the Intel Core 5 211E in every recorded test, winning all 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Core Ultra 5 235HX delivers substantially higher scores across Cinebench and Passmark workloads, with the largest margin in prime number finding at 88.1% ahead, and the smallest margin in integer math at 9.3% ahead.
The Intel Core 5 211E does hold one distinction: it supports ECC memory and offers a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1700), making it the choice for systems requiring error-correcting memory. Its launch MSRP is $221, which appears in the database. The Core Ultra 5 235HX, by contrast, uses a mobile socket (Intel BGA 2114), has no ECC support, and features an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.
The database positions the Core Ultra 5 235HX at the 91st percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 52073. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 8124P (0.1% behind), the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X (0.2% ahead), and the Intel Core i7-14700 (0.4% behind). The Core 5 211E sits at the 86th percentile with an average score of 37829, matching closely with the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 (0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i9-14901E (0.2% behind).
For users prioritizing raw performance, the Core Ultra 5 235HX is the clear selection from the data. For users needing ECC memory support or a desktop platform, the Core 5 211E offers those features, though with significantly lower performance.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from distinct architectural lineages and manufacturing processes. The Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process by Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². The Core Ultra 5 235HX uses the Arrow Lake-HX codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die size.
Core configuration differs notably. The Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating hyperthreading on some cores. The Core Ultra 5 235HX has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the Core 5 211E provides 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 235HX offers larger allocations: 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3.
Clock speeds favor the Core Ultra 5 235HX, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and boost clock of 5.10 GHz, compared to the Core 5 211E's 2.70 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. Power envelopes differ as well: the Core 5 211E has a 65 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 5 235HX operates at 55 W TDP.
Memory support separates the two. The Core 5 211E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with dual-channel memory and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 235HX supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with higher bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5 211E but not on the Core Ultra 5 235HX.
PCIe lanes also differ: the Core 5 211E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics vary, with the Core 5 211E using UHD Graphics 730 and the Core Ultra 5 235HX using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU.
Market segments and sockets align with their intended platforms: the Core 5 211E is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 235HX is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2114. Both released on the same date of 2025-01-12 and remain in active production.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX records an average benchmark score of 52073, while the Intel Core 5 211E records 37829. This places the Core Ultra 5 235HX at the 91st percentile and the Core 5 211E at the 86th percentile among all CPUs.
Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?
A: The Core Ultra 5 235HX leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 4903, compared to 2878 for the Core 5 211E, a 41.3% advantage. In Passmark single-thread testing, the Core Ultra 5 235HX scores 4683 versus 4006, a 14.5% advantage.
Q: What memory types does each processor support?
A: The Intel Core 5 211E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, with a higher bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.
Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?
A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 211E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX does not support ECC memory.
Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?
A: The Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning the latter offers more physical cores but no hyperthreading.
Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core 5 211E does not have an unlocked multiplier.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ across multiple specification fields. The Core Ultra 5 235HX has 14 cores versus 10 cores for the Core 5 211E, but the Core 5 211E has 16 threads versus 14 threads for the Core Ultra 5 235HX. Base clock speeds are 2.90 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 235HX and 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 211E; boost clocks are 5.10 GHz and 4.90 GHz, respectively.
TDP differs by 10 W: the Core 5 211E is rated at 65 W, while the Core Ultra 5 235HX is rated at 55 W. Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 5 211E versus Intel BGA 2114 for the Core Ultra 5 235HX. The process nodes are 10 nm (Intel) for the Core 5 211E and 3 nm (TSMC) for the Core Ultra 5 235HX, with the latter featuring 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die size versus 257 mm² for the former.
Cache specifications diverge in every tier: the Core 5 211E has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3, while the Core Ultra 5 235HX has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 5 211E versus DDR5 only for the Core Ultra 5 235HX; bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is available only on the Core 5 211E. PCIe lanes are 16 for the Core 5 211E and 20 for the Core Ultra 5 235HX, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU. Market segments are Desktop versus Mobile. The multiplier is locked on the Core 5 211E and unlocked on the Core Ultra 5 235HX.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Core Ultra 5 235HX wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons recorded in the database. The largest margins appear in Cinebench tests, where the Core Ultra 5 235HX consistently leads by 41.3% across R15, R20, and R23 multicore and singlecore runs. Specific scores: Cinebench R23 multicore shows 34731 for the Core Ultra 5 235HX versus 20389 for the Core 5 211E; R23 singlecore shows 4903 versus 2878.
Passmark tests reveal varied gaps. The smallest difference is in integer math, where the Core Ultra 5 235HX scores 97177 versus 88117, a 9.3% lead. Single-thread performance shows a 14.5% gap (4683 versus 4006). Data compression shows an 18.7% gap (426417 versus 346757). Random string sorting shows a 32.6% gap (50929 versus 34308). Extended instructions show a 38% gap (34808 versus 21592).
Larger margins appear in specialized workloads. Data encryption shows a 45.1% gap (32697 versus 17938). Floating point math shows a 48.9% gap (129819 versus 66402). Physics shows a 72.5% gap (2550 versus 702). Prime number finding shows the largest gap at 88.1% (361 versus 43). Multithread also shows a substantial 41.7% gap (40849 versus 23833).
The average benchmark score difference is 14244 points, with the Core Ultra 5 235HX at 52073 and the Core 5 211E at 37829. The percentile difference is 5 points, with the Core Ultra 5 235HX at the 91st percentile and the Core 5 211E at the 86th percentile.
Where Each One Wins
The Core Ultra 5 235HX wins every benchmark category recorded, so the use-case split depends on non-performance factors. The database shows the Core Ultra 5 235HX delivers superior results in all measured workloads: Cinebench rendering tests, Passmark integer math, floating point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, physics simulation, random string sorting, multithread, and single-thread tasks.
The Core 5 211E offers ECC memory support, which is absent on the Core Ultra 5 235HX. This makes the Core 5 211E the only option for systems requiring error-correcting memory. The Core 5 211E also uses a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1700), while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses a mobile socket (Intel BGA 2114), indicating different platform requirements. The Core 5 211E supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5, which could matter for systems with existing DDR4 memory infrastructure.
The Core Ultra 5 235HX offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, a feature the Core 5 211E lacks. Its higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz and lower TDP of 55 W, combined with a 3 nm process from TSMC, position it as the more advanced part. The Core 5 211E, with its 10 nm process and 65 W TDP, targets a more traditional desktop segment.
In summary, the data indicates the Core Ultra 5 235HX is the performance leader across all benchmarks, while the Core 5 211E is the choice for ECC memory support and desktop socket compatibility. The 17-0 benchmark sweep leaves no performance scenario where the Core 5 211E wins, so its appeal rests entirely on its ECC capability and platform fit.