Intel Core 5 211TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235 Comparison

The Intel Core 5 211TE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 are both active desktop processors from Intel, yet they occupy different tiers of the current lineup. The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy between the two, with the Core Ultra 5 235 delivering substantially higher scores across every recorded benchmark. The Core 5 211TE, meanwhile, holds its own within its own performance percentile but does not compete directly with the newer, more powerful part.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a decisive advantage for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235. It wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with no wins recorded for the Intel Core 5 211TE. The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 235 is 46062, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 211TE, by contrast, has an average benchmark score of 15370, which puts it in the 69th percentile. This is a substantial gap in overall measured performance.

The Core Ultra 5 235 is the appropriate choice for users who prioritize raw processing capability, especially in multi-threaded and specialized workloads. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, which scores 46030 with a 0.1% delta, and the Intel Core i9-13900HX, which scores 46098 with a -0.1% delta. This places the Core Ultra 5 235 in the same performance class as those high-end parts. The Core 5 211TE, with nearest rivals such as the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U and Intel Core i3-1315U, sits in a lower performance tier, making it suitable for more modest computing needs where the full throughput of the Core Ultra 5 235 is not required.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and use different manufacturing processes. The Intel Core 5 211TE is based on the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. It is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. It is manufactured on a 3 nm process node at TSMC. The die size also differs: the Core 5 211TE has a die size of 215 mm², while the Core Ultra 5 235 has a die size of 243 mm². The Core Ultra 5 235 transistor count is listed as 17,800 million, while no transistor count is recorded for the Core 5 211TE.

The core and thread configuration also differs significantly. The Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating the use of hyper-threading on some cores. The Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads, with no hyper-threading, meaning each core corresponds to a single thread. Cache hierarchies are also different. The Core 5 211TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 235 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 5 211TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235 supports only DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the memory bandwidth is higher on the Core Ultra 5 235 at 102.4 GB/s compared to 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 211TE. ECC memory support is present on the Core 5 211TE but not on the Core Ultra 5 235. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Core 5 211TE has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 235 has Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are different as well, with the Core 5 211TE using UHD Graphics 730 and the Core Ultra 5 235 using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has a higher single-core score in all recorded tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2085 versus 1722 for the Core 5 211TE, a 17.4% difference.

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

A: Yes, the Core 5 211TE supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 235 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235 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 processor has more cores?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores, while the Core 5 211TE has 10 cores. However, the Core 5 211TE has 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 threads.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 211TE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 have a production status of "Active".

Q: What are the launch MSRP values?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE has a launch MSRP of $221, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has a launch MSRP of $257.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads. The base clock of the Core 5 211TE is 1.70 GHz, and its boost clock is 4.80 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 235 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) is 45 for the Core 5 211TE and 65 for the Core Ultra 5 235. The socket types are different: the Core 5 211TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 235 uses Intel Socket 1851.

The process node is 10 nm for the Core 5 211TE and 3 nm for the Core Ultra 5 235. The foundry is Intel for the Core 5 211TE and TSMC for the Core Ultra 5 235. The die size is 215 mm² for the Core 5 211TE and 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 5 235. The transistor count is not recorded for the Core 5 211TE, but is 17,800 million for the Core Ultra 5 235. Cache sizes differ at every level: L1 is 80 KB per core for the Core 5 211TE versus 192 KB per core for the Core Ultra 5 235; L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 3 MB per core; L3 is 20 MB shared versus 24 MB shared.

Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 5 211TE, but only DDR5 for the Core Ultra 5 235. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory support is true for the Core 5 211TE and false for the Core Ultra 5 235. PCIe lanes are 16 for the Core 5 211TE and 20 for the Core Ultra 5 235, both Gen 5. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 5 211TE and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU for the Core Ultra 5 235. The release dates are 2025-01-12 for the Core 5 211TE and 2025-01-06 for the Core Ultra 5 235. The part numbers are SRQDL for the Core 5 211TE and SRQAS for the Core Ultra 5 235. Both have multiplier unlock set to false.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 235 wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database. The Cinebench tests show a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 5 211TE scores 1229 and the Core Ultra 5 235 scores 1488, a 17.4% difference. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the scores are 173 and 210, also a 17.6% difference. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 5124 versus 6202, a 17.4% difference, and R20 single-core shows 723 versus 875, a 17.4% difference. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 12201 versus 14769, a 17.4% difference, and R23 single-core shows 1722 versus 2085, a 17.4% difference. These results indicate that the Core Ultra 5 235 holds a roughly 17% advantage across the Cinebench suite, which is a consistent margin.

The PassMark tests show much larger differences. In data compression, the Core 5 211TE scores 133434, while the Core Ultra 5 235 scores 390711, a 65.8% difference. Data encryption shows 7231 versus 29293, a 75.3% difference. Extended instructions scores are 8615 versus 32752, a 73.7% difference. Find prime numbers shows 72 versus 371, an 80.6% difference. Floating point math shows 26150 versus 117951, a 77.8% difference. Integer math shows 33991 versus 87948, a 61.4% difference. Multithread scores are 11685 versus 37816, a 69.1% difference. Physics shows 1278 versus 2570, a 50.3% difference. Random string sorting shows 14838 versus 48980, a 69.7% difference. Single-thread scores are 1408 versus 4516, a 68.8% difference.

The largest single delta is in the find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 5 235 leads by 80.6%. The smallest delta is in the physics test at 50.3%, excluding the Cinebench results which all cluster around 17.4%. The PassMark tests demonstrate that the Core Ultra 5 235 is not just faster by a small margin in these workloads, but often delivers several times the throughput of the Core 5 211TE.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 wins across all recorded benchmark categories. There are no benchmark wins for the Intel Core 5 211TE. For workloads that rely on multi-threaded performance, such as the Cinebench multicore tests, the Core Ultra 5 235 delivers a consistent 17.4% advantage. For more specialized computational tasks, the advantage grows significantly. The PassMark data encryption test shows a 75.3% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235, and the floating point math test shows a 77.8% lead. The extended instructions test shows a 73.7% lead, indicating a strong performance in workloads that use advanced instruction sets.

The Core 5 211TE, while not winning any benchmarks, still offers certain characteristics based on the specification data. It supports ECC memory, which the Core Ultra 5 235 does not. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, providing flexibility in platform memory choices. Its lower TDP of 45 compared to 65 for the Core Ultra 5 235 suggests a lower power draw, and its use of the Intel Socket 1700 platform may be relevant for systems built around that socket.

The data indicates that the Core Ultra 5 235 is the superior processor for essentially all measured performance metrics. The Core 5 211TE, with its lower average benchmark score and 69th percentile ranking, is positioned for environments where ECC memory support or DDR4 compatibility are priorities. The Core Ultra 5 235, with its 89th percentile ranking and higher scores in every test, is the stronger option for demanding applications. The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Core Ultra 5 235 is the faster processor by a wide margin in most tests and by a moderate margin in the Cinebench suite.