Intel Core 5 211TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins every single recorded comparison against the Intel Core 5 211TE. Across all 17 head-to-head tests, the Core Ultra 5 225 takes the win, with no test favoring the Core 5 211TE. The Core Ultra 5 225 sits at the 85th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 211TE sits at the 69th percentile. The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 225 is 36,938, which places it alongside the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, and Intel Core i9-12900T, all within a 0.5% delta. The Core 5 211TE's average score of 15,370 places it near the AMD EPYC 7543, AMD EPYC 7702P, AMD Ryzen 3 7440U, and Intel Core i3-1315U.

The Core Ultra 5 225 is for a builder who wants a modern desktop part with a 3 nm process, a higher base clock, and a much stronger PassMark single-thread score of 4,412 versus 1,408. The Core 5 211TE is the choice only if the platform matters more than raw performance: it uses Intel Socket 1700, supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, and has ECC memory support. The data shows no scenario where the Core 5 211TE outperforms the Core Ultra 5 225 in compute, so the decision rests on socket compatibility, memory flexibility, and ECC requirements.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and foundries. The Core 5 211TE is a Bartlett Lake part built on Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 215 mm². The Core Ultra 5 225 is an Arrow Lake-S part from the Core Ultra Series 2, built on TSMC's 3 nm process, with a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm². The process node difference is substantial: 10 nm versus 3 nm, which explains much of the performance gap.

Both have 10 cores and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 211TE has 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 threads, meaning the Core 5 211TE uses hyperthreading and the Core Ultra 5 225 does not. The cache hierarchy differs per core: the Core 5 211TE has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while the Core Ultra 5 225 has 192 KB L1 per core and 3 MB L2 per core. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 5 225 contribute to its superior single-thread performance.

Memory support separates them further. The Core 5 211TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, with a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 225 supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Core 5 211TE has ECC memory support; the Core Ultra 5 225 does not. PCIe lanes also differ: the Core 5 211TE provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 225 provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 211TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The sockets are incompatible: the Core 5 211TE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Intel Socket 1851. Release dates are close, with the Core Ultra 5 225 launching on 2025-01-06 and the Core 5 211TE launching on 2025-01-12. Both are desktop parts with active production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The launch MSRP is $221 for the Core 5 211TE and $246 for the Core Ultra 5 225.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 211TE has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

Q: Does the Core 5 211TE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Core 5 211TE supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 225 does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Core 5 211TE has 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 threads, despite both having 10 cores.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225 has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the Core 5 211TE has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L2 cache per core?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225 has 3 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Core 5 211TE has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core.

Q: Are these CPUs socket-compatible?

A: No. The Core 5 211TE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Intel Socket 1851.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 211TE | Intel Core Ultra 5 225 |

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

| Series | None | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Architecture | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 243 mm² |

| Threads | 16 | 10 |

| Base Clock | 1.70 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

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

| L2 Cache (per core) | 1.25 MB | 3 MB |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU |

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

| Launch MSRP | $221 | $246 |

| Part Number | SRQDL | SRQCZSRVF7 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 225 wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The largest deltas appear in PassMark tests. In data encryption, the Core Ultra 5 225 scores 22,285 versus 7,231, a 67.6% advantage. Extended instructions show a 68.3% gap: 27,162 versus 8,615. Floating point math shows a 71.6% gap: 92,038 versus 26,150. The single-thread PassMark score is 4,412 versus 1,408, a 68.1% gap. The multithread PassMark score is 30,459 versus 11,685, a 61.6% gap.

Cinebench results follow the same pattern but with varying margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 5 225 scores 2,609 versus 1,229, a 52.9% gap. Cinebench R15 singlecore shows 368 versus 173, a 53% gap. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 6,317 versus 5,124, a smaller 18.9% gap. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows 891 versus 723, also 18.9%. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 25,891 versus 12,201, a 52.9% gap, and Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 3,655 versus 1,722, again 52.9%.

The smallest margin in the entire dataset is Cinebench R20 multicore at 18.9%, which still favors the Core Ultra 5 225. The PassMark physics test shows a 45.4% gap: 2,342 versus 1,278. Integer math shows a 48% gap: 65,345 versus 33,991. Data compression shows a 55.9% gap: 302,811 versus 133,434. Random string sorting shows a 59.4% gap: 36,590 versus 14,838. Find prime numbers shows a 79.9% gap: 358 versus 72, the largest relative difference in the dataset.

The Core 5 211TE's highest relative performance is in Cinebench R20 multicore, where it trails by only 18.9%. That test also shows the smallest single-core gap at 18.9%. The Core Ultra 5 225's dominance grows in tests that stress single-thread efficiency and math throughput, which aligns with its higher clocks, larger caches, and 3 nm process.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 225 wins everywhere in the recorded data. There is no benchmark category where the Core 5 211TE takes a lead. For a builder prioritizing raw compute, the Core Ultra 5 225 is the clear selection. Its 4.90 GHz boost clock, 3.30 GHz base clock, and 3 nm process deliver a single-thread PassMark score nearly three times higher than the Core 5 211TE. Its multithread PassMark score is 2.6 times higher. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it more than doubles the Core 5 211TE's score.

The Core 5 211TE still has a place for specific platform needs. It uses Intel Socket 1700, which is an older and widely available socket, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. For a system that requires ECC memory, the Core 5 211TE is the only option between these two, as the Core Ultra 5 225 does not support ECC. The Core 5 211TE also has a lower TDP of 45 W versus 65 W, which may suit a system with tighter cooling or power constraints.

The Core Ultra 5 225 offers more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16) and a higher memory bandwidth (102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s). Its integrated graphics, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU, is a different generation than the UHD Graphics 730 in the Core 5 211TE. The Core Ultra 5 225 also supports only DDR5, which is a consideration for upgrade paths, but the bandwidth advantage is clear.

For a new build where socket and memory flexibility are not constraints, the Core Ultra 5 225 is the stronger part by every measured metric. For an upgrade on an existing Socket 1700 board, or a system that needs ECC memory and accepts lower performance, the Core 5 211TE remains functional. The data does not support any other conclusion: the Core Ultra 5 225 is faster in every recorded test, with margins ranging from 18.9% to 79.9%.