Intel Core 5 211TE vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core 5 211TE and the Intel Core 5 330 is remarkably one-sided. Across the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the Core 5 330 takes 15 victories, while the Core 5 211TE manages only two wins. The magnitude of the Core 5 330's advantage varies dramatically by workload, from narrow margins in integer math to a 65.6% blowout in single-threaded performance.

The single-thread results are the most striking. In PassMark single-thread testing, the Core 5 330 scores 4088 versus 1408 for the Core 5 211TE, a 65.6% deficit for the older chip. This pattern repeats across Cinebench single-core tests, though with smaller gaps: the Core 5 330 leads by 7% in Cinebench R15 single-core (186 vs 173), 7.2% in R20 single-core (779 vs 723), and 7.2% in R23 single-core (1856 vs 1722). The PassMark single-thread delta is far larger than the Cinebench deltas, suggesting the PassMark workload amplifies architectural differences that Cinebench does not.

Multi-core results tell a similar story, but with a twist. Despite having only 6 cores and 6 threads versus the Core 5 211TE's 10 cores and 16 threads, the Core 5 330 wins every Cinebench multi-core test. The margin is consistent at 7.2% across R15 (1325 vs 1229), R20 (5523 vs 5124), and R23 (13150 vs 12201). In PassMark multithread, the gap widens considerably: the Core 5 330 scores 15471 against 11685, a 24.5% advantage. The Core 5 330 also wins PassMark floating point math by 40.4% (43885 vs 26150), extended instructions by 32.7% (12808 vs 8615), prime number finding by 36.8% (114 vs 72), and data encryption by 34.7% (11076 vs 7231).

The Core 5 211TE's two victories are both narrow. It wins PassMark integer math with 33991 versus 33258, a 2.2% margin. It also wins PassMark physics with 1278 versus 1201, a 6.4% edge. These wins do little to offset the overall picture: the average benchmark score for the Core 5 330 is 18345, while the Core 5 211TE averages 15370. The Core 5 330 sits at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, versus the 69th percentile for the Core 5 211TE.

The nearest-rival data places both chips in similar company. The Core 5 211TE's closest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7543 (average score 15477, 0.7% ahead), the AMD EPYC 7702P (15130, 1.6% behind), the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U (15682, 2% ahead), and the Intel Core i3-1315U (15022, 2.3% behind). The Core 5 330 sits near the Intel Core i3-14100 (18318, 0.1% ahead), the Intel Core 7 360 (18374, 0.2% behind), the Intel Core i3-13100 (18380, 0.2% behind), and the Intel Core 3 305 (18302, 0.2% ahead). The Core 5 330 effectively trades blows with these quad-core and low-end desktop parts, while the Core 5 211TE aligns with older server and mobile chips.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different Intel design lineages. The Core 5 211TE is a Bartlett Lake part on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, built on a 10 nm process with a 215 mm² die. The Core 5 330 is a Wildcat Lake part on the Intel BGA 1516 socket, fabricated on a 3 nm node. The process gap is substantial: 10 nm versus 3 nm, which explains much of the Core 5 330's efficiency and performance advantage despite fewer cores.

Core and thread counts differ sharply. The Core 5 211TE provides 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating hyperthreading support. The Core 5 330 provides 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyperthreading. Yet the Core 5 330 still wins multi-threaded workloads, a result that highlights the per-core performance gap between the two designs.

Cache configurations are also divergent. The Core 5 211TE uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Core 5 330 uses 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Core 5 211TE has more total L3, but the Core 5 330's larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations suggest a design optimized for per-thread performance rather than aggregate cache capacity.

Clock speeds favor the Core 5 330 in boost, but the Core 5 211TE has a higher base clock. The Core 5 211TE runs at 1.70 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The Core 5 330 runs at 1.50 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. The 0.2 GHz boost advantage for the Core 5 211TE does not translate into benchmark wins, indicating that the Core 5 330's architectural efficiency overcomes the raw clock deficit.

Power and platform targets differ completely. The Core 5 211TE is a 45 W desktop part, while the Core 5 330 is a 15 W mobile part. The Core 5 211TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus with 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth and ECC memory. The Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth and no ECC. The Core 5 211TE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes; the Core 5 330 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 5 211TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core 5 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Core 5 330's newer GPU architecture aligns with its mobile positioning. The Core 5 211TE launched on 2025-01-12 with a launch MSRP of $221. The Core 5 330 launched on 2026-04-15 with a launch MSRP of $309. Both parts remain active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 330 dominates nearly every measurable workload category. Its biggest advantages appear in single-threaded and SIMD-heavy tasks. The 65.6% lead in PassMark single-thread performance indicates superior per-core IPC and clock-for-clock efficiency. The 40.4% lead in floating point math and 32.7% lead in extended instructions point to a much stronger vector execution pipeline. Data encryption performance is 34.7% higher, and prime number finding is 36.8% higher, both suggesting better integer and cryptographic instruction throughput.

The Core 5 330 also wins productivity and compression workloads. Data compression scores 145287 versus 133434, an 8.2% edge. Random string sorting goes to the Core 5 330 by 16.5% (17771 vs 14838). The multithread PassMark result, 15471 versus 11685, shows the Core 5 330 winning heavily threaded work despite a 4-core and 10-thread disadvantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core, often used as a proxy for rendering and 3D workloads, goes to the Core 5 330 by 7.2% (13150 vs 12201).

The Core 5 211TE wins exactly two tests. PassMark integer math, 33991 versus 33258, gives it a 2.2% edge. PassMark physics, 1278 versus 1201, gives it a 6.4% margin. These wins are isolated and do not indicate a general pattern. The physics result is curious given the Core 5 330's floating point dominance, but the data records it as a Core 5 211TE victory.

The use-case split is clear. The Core 5 330 is the better choice for single-threaded applications, vectorized code, encryption, compression, and most multi-threaded workloads. The Core 5 211TE retains narrow advantages in integer-heavy and physics simulation tasks. The Core 5 211TE also offers ECC memory support, dual-channel bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, which matter for platform features rather than raw benchmark scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Does the Core 5 330 really beat the Core 5 211TE in multi-core workloads despite fewer cores?

A: Yes. The Core 5 330 wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 13150 versus 12201, a 7.2% margin, and PassMark multithread with 15471 versus 11685, a 24.5% margin.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark single-thread performance, where the Core 5 330 scores 4088 versus 1408 for the Core 5 211TE, a 65.6% difference.

Q: Which workloads favor the Core 5 211TE?

A: The Core 5 211TE wins PassMark integer math (33991 vs 33258, 2.2% ahead) and PassMark physics (1278 vs 1201, 6.4% ahead).

Q: How do the memory and expansion options differ?

A: The Core 5 211TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory, 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, ECC, and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel memory, 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, no ECC, and PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The Core 5 211TE is built on a 10 nm process. The Core 5 330 is built on a 3 nm process.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a decisive overall winner: the Intel Core 5 330 outperforms the Intel Core 5 211TE in 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench test and nearly every PassMark test. Its average benchmark score of 18345 versus 15370, combined with a higher percentile ranking (72nd versus 69th), confirms that the Core 5 330 delivers more performance in almost every measured dimension.

The Core 5 330 achieves this with 6 cores and 6 threads, a 15 W TDP, and a 3 nm process, while the Core 5 211TE uses 10 cores, 16 threads, a 45 W TDP, and a 10 nm process. The Core 5 330's per-core efficiency, reflected in the 65.6% single-thread advantage, more than compensates for its lower core count. The only meaningful benchmark wins for the Core 5 211TE are integer math and physics, both by small margins.

Platform considerations may matter for specific buyers. The Core 5 211TE offers ECC memory, dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support, PCIe Gen 5, and a desktop socket with a 45 W power envelope. The Core 5 330 offers a mobile BGA package, single-channel memory, PCIe Gen 4, and a 15 W TDP. Buyers who need ECC or PCIe Gen 5 connectivity would choose the Core 5 211TE on those features alone. Buyers who prioritize benchmark performance across the board should select the Core 5 330, as the data shows it as the faster processor in nearly all recorded tests.