Intel Core 5 211E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 wins every single recorded test against the Intel Core 5 211E, 17 wins to 0. The largest margin comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Ultra 5 scores 365 versus 43 for the 211E, a delta of 88.2%. This is the single most lopsided result in the entire comparison, and it signals a massive advantage in integer-heavy, low-latency arithmetic loops.

The gap is also pronounced in synthetic physics calculations. The Ultra 5 245 scores 2569 in PassMark physics, while the 211E manages only 702, a 72.7% deficit. Similarly, floating-point math favors the Ultra 5 by 44.9%, with scores of 120548 versus 66402. These results suggest the Ultra 5 is not merely faster; it is in a different performance class for computational throughput.

In multi-core rendering workloads, the Ultra 5 245 leads by a consistent 38.1% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The specific scores are R15 at 3318 versus 2055, R20 at 13828 versus 8563, and R23 at 32924 versus 20389. The same 38.1% delta appears in single-core Cinebench tests, with the Ultra 5 scoring 468 in R15, 1952 in R20, and 4648 in R23, against the 211E's 289, 1208, and 2878. This uniform delta across different Cinebench versions indicates a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The least one-sided result is PassMark integer math, where the Ultra 5 scores 91187 versus 88117 for the 211E, a modest 3.4% lead. The single-thread PassMark test also shows a relatively smaller gap at 8.8%, with the Ultra 5 scoring 4394 versus 4006. Data compression shows a 13.5% advantage for the Ultra 5, scoring 400942 versus 346757. Data encryption is more decisive at 40.7%, with the Ultra 5 posting 30236 against 17938. Extended instructions favor the Ultra 5 by 35.2%, scoring 33304 versus 21592. Random string sorting goes to the Ultra 5 by 30.2%, at 49140 versus 34308. The multithread PassMark test shows a 38.4% lead for the Ultra 5, scoring 38706 versus 23833.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core it scores 4648 versus 2878 for the 211E, a 38.1% lead. PassMark single-thread shows a smaller but still clear 8.8% advantage, at 4394 versus 4006.

Q: How large is the multi-core advantage for the Ultra 5 245?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 5 scores 32924 against the 211E's 20389, a 38.1% gap. The PassMark multithread test shows a 38.4% difference, with the Ultra 5 at 38706 and the 211E at 23833.

Q: Is there any test where the Core 5 211E is competitive?

A: The closest margin is PassMark integer math, where the 211E trails by only 3.4%, scoring 88117 versus 91187. It also comes within 8.8% in PassMark single-thread. However, the 211E does not win any recorded benchmark.

Q: What does the average benchmark score comparison show?

A: The Ultra 5 245 has an average benchmark score of 48995, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The 211E has an average score of 37829 and sits in the 86th percentile. The Ultra 5 is roughly 29% higher in average score.

Q: How does the Ultra 5 245 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Ultra 5 245's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G, which trails by 0.4%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, which trails by 0.5%. The Intel Xeon Gold 5318H is 0.6% behind, and the Intel Core i5-14600K is 0.8% behind.

Q: How does the Core 5 211E sit among its nearest rivals?

A: The 211E is nearly tied with the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132, which is 0.1% ahead, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435, which is 0.2% ahead. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Intel Core i9-14901E are each 0.2% ahead of the 211E.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 257 mm². The Core Ultra 5 245 uses the Arrow Lake-S codename, features the Arrow Lake architecture, and is fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm process with a smaller die at 243 mm². The Ultra 5 also carries 17,800 million transistors, a figure not listed for the 211E.

The core and thread configurations differ significantly. The 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating that it uses hyper-threading. The Ultra 5 245 has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning each core is a single thread with no hyper-threading. Despite fewer threads, the Ultra 5 still wins all multi-threaded benchmarks.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. The 211E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 245 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, combined with a larger L3, contribute to its higher single-thread scores.

Memory support diverges as well. The 211E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 245 supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory, but the Ultra 5 has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the 211E. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The 211E provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 5 245 offers 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: the 211E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 5 245 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

The sockets are incompatible. The 211E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 245 uses Intel Socket 1851. This means upgrading from the 211E to the Ultra 5 requires a new motherboard. The base clock for the 211E is 2.70 GHz, and the boost clock is 4.90 GHz. The Ultra 5 245 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. Both have a TDP of 65 watts, and both are locked processors with the multiplier not unlocked.

Release dates are close: the 211E was released on 2025-01-12, and the Ultra 5 245 on 2025-01-06. The launch MSRP for the 211E is $221, and for the Ultra 5 245 it is $270.

The Verdict

The data shows a complete victory for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245. It wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 3.4% in integer math to 88.2% in prime number finding. The average benchmark score difference is substantial, with the Ultra 5 at 48995 versus 37829 for the 211E. The percentile ranking confirms the gap: the Ultra 5 sits at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the 211E sits at the 86th.

For any workload that benefits from raw compute throughput, the Ultra 5 245 is the clear choice. Its wins span rendering, encryption, compression, physics, and floating-point math. The only area where the 211E comes close is integer math, but it still loses there.

The 211E does have the advantage of DDR4 memory support, which could matter for users with existing DDR4 systems on Socket 1700. It also has a lower launch MSRP of $221 versus $270 for the Ultra 5. However, the performance gap is so wide that the 211E only makes sense for a very constrained upgrade path where the motherboard and memory are already in place and the user cannot switch platforms. For a new build or any performance-sensitive application, the Ultra 5 245 is the only logical pick based on the recorded benchmarks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 211E | Intel Core Ultra 5 245 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Architecture | Not listed | Arrow Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 243 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Launch MSRP | $221 | $270 |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2025-01-06 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 wins every single benchmark category in the database. There is no workload recorded where the Core 5 211E comes out ahead. The Ultra 5's dominance is most pronounced in prime number finding, physics simulation, and encryption, where its margins exceed 40%. Its smallest wins are in integer math and single-thread PassMark, but these are still victories.

The Core 5 211E's only practical advantage lies in its platform compatibility. It uses the older Socket 1700 and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. For a user who already owns a Socket 1700 motherboard and DDR4 memory, the 211E could be a drop-in upgrade without changing the platform. Its launch MSRP of $221 is also lower than the Ultra 5's $270.

However, the benchmark data does not offer any performance scenario where the 211E wins. The Ultra 5 245 is faster in every measured test, from single-core Cinebench to multi-core PassMark. The 211E also has a lower average benchmark score of 37829 versus 48995, and a lower percentile ranking of 86 versus 90.

For users building a new system, the Ultra 5 245 is the superior choice on every performance metric recorded. For users constrained to Socket 1700 with existing DDR4 memory, the 211E remains a viable option, but it is not competitive with the Ultra 5 in any benchmark. The decision comes down to platform compatibility versus raw performance, and the data clearly favors the Ultra 5 for anyone who can choose either socket.