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

Intel Core 5 211TE and Intel Core 7 251TE are two desktop processors from the same Bartlett Lake family, both built on Intel's 10 nm process and designed for Intel Socket 1700. The database records show a clear performance hierarchy between the two, with the Core 7 251TE winning every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. The Core 5 211TE sits at the 69th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 7 251TE reaches the 88th percentile, indicating a substantial gap in overall capability. This analysis walks through where each processor wins, the architectural differences, the exact benchmark deltas, specification disparities, and answers common questions based strictly on recorded data.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 211TE does not win any of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks recorded in the database. Every test, from Cinebench R15 through PassMark's various workloads, is won by the Core 7 251TE. This is a one-sided comparison with no workload where the Core 5 211TE takes the lead. For users considering the Core 5 211TE, the data shows it is consistently slower across all measured categories.

The Core 7 251TE wins across the board, but the magnitude of its victories varies significantly by workload type. The largest deltas appear in integer math, floating point math, and data encryption, where the Core 7 251TE leads by 73.0%, 69.5%, and 67.4% respectively. The smallest advantage is in PassMark physics, where the Core 7 251TE leads by 34.1%. This pattern suggests the Core 7 251TE benefits most in heavily parallelized compute tasks, while the gap narrows in workloads that stress fewer threads.

For single-threaded performance, the Core 7 251TE holds a 60.5% advantage in PassMark single-thread tests and a 52.2% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core. The Core 5 211TE is not competitive in any scenario, making the Core 7 251TE the clear choice for both lightly threaded and heavily threaded applications based on the recorded measurements.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Bartlett Lake codename, the same 10 nm process node from Intel, and the same 215 mm² die size. They are fabricated by Intel and both use Intel Socket 1700. The core counts differ substantially: the Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. This more than doubles the thread count, which directly explains the Core 7 251TE's dominance in multi-threaded workloads.

Cache hierarchies are identical in per-core allocation but differ in shared L3 capacity. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. The Core 5 211TE has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, a 16 MB difference that supports the larger core count. The integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 211TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core 7 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770. Both processors support ECC memory and use DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses.

The PCIe configuration is identical for both: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are marked as Active in production status with the same release date of 2025-01-12T17:00:00.000Z. The process node and die size being identical confirms these are closely related designs, with the Core 7 251TE essentially being a scaled-up version with more cores and more cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the uniform 52.2% delta across all six Cinebench tests. The Core 5 211TE scores 1229 in Cinebench R15 multicore against 2572 for the Core 7 251TE. In R15 single-core, the scores are 173 and 362. R20 multicore shows 5124 versus 10717, and R20 single-core shows 723 versus 1512. R23 multicore records 12201 against 25518, while R23 single-core records 1722 against 3602. This consistent 52.2% margin across both single and multi-core Cinebench versions indicates the Core 7 251TE's advantage is not just about core count but also about per-core efficiency.

PassMark results show larger and more varied deltas. In data compression, the Core 5 211TE scores 133434 while the Core 7 251TE scores 334399, a 60.1% difference. Data encryption shows 7231 versus 22176, a 67.4% gap. Extended instructions score 8615 against 16974, a 49.2% difference. Prime number finding records 72 versus 140, a 48.6% gap. Floating point math shows 26150 against 85607, a 69.5% difference. Integer math delivers the largest margin at 73.0%, with scores of 33991 and 125739.

Multithread performance in PassMark records 11685 for the Core 5 211TE and 30022 for the Core 7 251TE, a 61.1% delta. Physics scores are 1278 and 1938, a 34.1% gap. Random string sorting shows 14838 versus 39643, a 62.6% difference. Single-thread tests in PassMark record 1408 against 3568, a 60.5% delta, with the singlethread test duplicating these exact numbers. The smallest relative gap is in physics, while the largest is in integer math, suggesting that the Core 7 251TE's extra cores and cache are most effective in integer-heavy workloads.

The average benchmark score for the Core 5 211TE is 15370, compared to 41650 for the Core 7 251TE. This places the Core 5 211TE near rivals like the AMD EPYC 7543, which averages 15477 with a delta of -0.7%, and the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U at 15682 with a delta of -2%. The Core 7 251TE sits near the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H at 41621 with a delta of 0.1% and the Intel Core i7-14700T at 41914 with a delta of -0.6%. These rival comparisons show the Core 5 211TE competing with server and mobile parts from the previous generation, while the Core 7 251TE matches modern high-end mobile and desktop processors.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ dramatically: 10 cores and 16 threads for the Core 5 211TE versus 24 cores and 32 threads for the Core 7 251TE. Base clocks are 1.70 GHz for the Core 5 211TE and 1.40 GHz for the Core 7 251TE, while boost clocks are 4.80 GHz and 5.40 GHz respectively. The Core 7 251TE has a lower base clock but a significantly higher boost clock, allowing it to reach higher frequencies when needed.

L3 cache differs from 20 MB shared on the Core 5 211TE to 36 MB shared on the Core 7 251TE. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Core 7 251TE at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s on the Core 5 211TE, despite both using dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 support. The integrated graphics differ as noted, with UHD Graphics 730 versus UHD Graphics 770. The part numbers are SRQDL for the Core 5 211TE and SRQAXQ5ZG for the Core 7 251TE. The launch MSRP is $221 for the Core 5 211TE and $384 for the Core 7 251TE, stated once here for reference.

All other specifications match: 45 W TDP for both, Intel Socket 1700, 10 nm process, 215 mm² die size, Intel foundry, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, Desktop market segment, Active production status, same release date, and no unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. This gives the Core 7 251TE twice as many threads.

Q: How much faster is the Core 7 251TE in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Core 7 251TE scores 25518 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Core 5 211TE scores 12201. This is a 52.2% advantage for the Core 7 251TE.

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

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the Core 7 251TE leads by 73.0%. The Core 5 211TE scores 33991, and the Core 7 251TE scores 125739.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses. The Core 7 251TE has higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 211TE.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 211TE has 20 MB of shared L3 cache. Both use 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core.

Q: What are the integrated graphics on each processor?

A: The Core 5 211TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core 7 251TE uses UHD Graphics 770.

The Verdict

The Intel Core 7 251TE is the superior processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all 17 head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 34.1% in PassMark physics to 73.0% in PassMark integer math. Its 24 cores and 32 threads provide a massive advantage in multi-threaded workloads, and its higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz delivers a 60.5% lead in single-thread PassMark tests. The 36 MB of L3 cache and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth further support its performance. The Core 7 251TE sits at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 69th percentile for the Core 5 211TE, confirming its higher standing in the database.

The Core 5 211TE cannot be recommended for any workload based on the data, as it loses every comparison. It does offer a lower launch MSRP of $221 versus $384 for the Core 7 251TE, but this price difference does not translate into any benchmark win. The Core 5 211TE's 10 cores and 16 threads, 4.80 GHz boost clock, and 20 MB L3 cache are all lower than the Core 7 251TE's specifications. For users with workloads that match any of the 17 tested scenarios, the Core 7 251TE delivers consistently higher scores. The data shows no scenario where the Core 5 211TE provides a performance advantage, making the Core 7 251TE the definitive choice from these two options.