Intel Core 5 211TE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Comparison

Intel Core 5 211TE and Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX are two fundamentally different processors from Intel, targeting distinct market segments and physical formats. The 211TE is a desktop processor built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, while the 255HX is a mobile processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, based on Arrow Lake. The benchmark data shows a complete performance sweep by the 255HX, which wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests. However, the two chips serve very different purposes, and the data highlights a massive performance gap driven by core count, architecture, and power envelope.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins every single benchmark comparison in the database. There are no recorded wins for the Intel Core 5 211TE in the head-to-head results. The 255HX dominates across every category, from multi-core rendering to single-threaded tasks, encryption, and integer math.

In multi-core workloads, the 255HX demonstrates a decisive advantage. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score for the 255HX is 32612, compared to 12201 for the 211TE. This represents a 62.6% lead for the mobile processor. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows an even larger gap, with the 255HX scoring 17187 versus 5124 for the 211TE, a 70.2% difference. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result is similarly lopsided: 4916 versus 1229, a 75% advantage.

The 255HX also wins in single-core performance, though by a smaller margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 255HX scores 2163 against 1722 for the 211TE, a 20.4% lead. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows the 255HX at 327 versus 173, a 47.1% advantage. The PassMark single-thread score is 4562 for the 255HX and 1408 for the 211TE, a 69.1% difference.

The widest gaps appear in specialized compute tasks. The PassMark floating point math test shows the 255HX scoring 160624 against 26150 for the 211TE, an 83.7% lead. The PassMark find prime numbers test shows the 255HX at 400 versus 72, an 82% lead. The data encryption test shows a 81.7% advantage for the 255HX, scoring 39499 against 7231.

The 211TE does have a notable characteristic: it is a desktop processor with a 45 TDP, while the 255HX is a mobile processor with a 55 TDP. The 255HX achieves its performance within a higher power budget, but the data shows that the mobile chip is overwhelmingly faster in every measurable category. The 211TE sits at the 69th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the 255HX sits at the 93rd percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on completely different architectures and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core 5 211TE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture, fabricated on a 10 nm process by Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the Arrow Lake architecture, fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC. The process node difference is significant, as the 3 nm node allows for much higher transistor density and efficiency.

The 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads. Both processors use hyper-threading on the 211TE, but the 255HX does not appear to use hyper-threading, as its thread count equals its core count. The 255HX has a higher base clock at 2.40 GHz versus 1.70 GHz for the 211TE. The boost clock also favors the 255HX, at 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The 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 255HX has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger cache allocation on the 255HX contributes to its higher single-threaded and multi-threaded performance.

The 255HX uses a significantly larger transistor count, with 17,800 million transistors, and a die size of 243 mm². The 211TE has a die size of 215 mm², with transistor count not recorded in the database. The 255HX also has a wider PCIe interface, supporting Gen 5 with 20 lanes compared to Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the 211TE.

Memory support differs as well. The 211TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 255HX supports only DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The memory bandwidth is higher on the 255HX at 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s on the 211TE. The 211TE supports ECC memory, while the 255HX does not.

The integrated graphics also differ. The 211TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the 255HX uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The 255HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the 211TE does not. The 255HX is a mobile processor with a BGA 2114 socket, while the 211TE is a desktop processor with an Intel Socket 1700.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The 255HX has double the core count.

Q: What is the performance difference in multi-core workloads?

A: The 255HX is significantly faster in multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 255HX scores 32612 versus 12201 for the 211TE, a 62.6% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the lead is 70.2%.

Q: Does the 211TE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 211TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX does not support ECC memory.

Q: What memory types are supported by each processor?

A: The 211TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 255HX supports only DDR5 memory. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 211TE has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE is a desktop processor, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is a mobile processor. The 211TE uses an Intel Socket 1700, and the 255HX uses an Intel BGA 2114 socket.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 10 (211TE) versus 20 (255HX)
• Threads: 16 (211TE) versus 20 (255HX)
• Base Clock: 1.70 GHz (211TE) versus 2.40 GHz (255HX)
• Boost Clock: 4.80 GHz (211TE) versus 5.20 GHz (255HX)
• TDP: 45 (211TE) versus 55 (255HX)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 (211TE) versus Intel BGA 2114 (255HX)
• Architecture: Bartlett Lake (211TE) versus Arrow Lake (255HX)
• Codename: Bartlett Lake (211TE) versus Arrow Lake-HX (255HX)
• Process Node: 10 nm (211TE) versus 3 nm (255HX)
• Foundry: Intel (211TE) versus TSMC (255HX)
• Transistors: Not recorded (211TE) versus 17,800 million (255HX)
• Die Size: 215 mm² (211TE) versus 243 mm² (255HX)
• L1 Cache: 80 KB per core (211TE) versus 192 KB per core (255HX)
• L2 Cache: 1.25 MB per core (211TE) versus 3 MB per core (255HX)
• L3 Cache: 20 MB shared (211TE) versus 30 MB shared (255HX)
• Memory Support: DDR4, DDR5 (211TE) versus DDR5 (255HX)
• Memory Bandwidth: 76.8 GB/s (211TE) versus 102.4 GB/s (255HX)
• ECC Memory: true (211TE) versus false (255HX)
• PCIe: Gen 5, 16 Lanes (211TE) versus Gen 5, 20 Lanes (255HX)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 730 (211TE) versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU (255HX)
• Market Segment: Desktop (211TE) versus Mobile (255HX)
• Multiplier Unlocked: false (211TE) versus true (255HX)
• Part Number: SRQDL (211TE) versus SRVFG (255HX)

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The largest margins are in floating point math, find prime numbers, and data encryption.

In the PassMark floating point math test, the 255HX scores 160624, which is 83.7% higher than the 211TE's 26150. This represents the largest delta in the dataset. The PassMark find prime numbers test shows an 82% lead, with the 255HX scoring 400 against 72. The data encryption test shows an 81.7% lead, with scores of 39499 and 7231.

The Cinebench multi-core tests all show substantial leads for the 255HX. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score is 4916 for the 255HX and 1229 for the 211TE, a 75% difference. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score is 17187 versus 5124, a 70.2% difference. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 32612 versus 12201, a 62.6% difference.

The PassMark multithread test shows the 255HX scoring 48234 against 11685 for the 211TE, a 75.8% lead. The PassMark integer math test shows a 73.3% lead, with scores of 127126 and 33991. The PassMark data compression test shows a 74.1% lead, with scores of 515143 and 133434. The PassMark random string sorting test shows a 76.3% lead, with scores of 62591 and 14838.

The single-core tests show smaller but still decisive margins. The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 2163 for the 255HX and 1722 for the 211TE, a 20.4% lead. The Cinebench R15 single-core score is 327 versus 173, a 47.1% lead. The Cinebench R20 single-core score is 2426 versus 723, a 70.2% lead. The PassMark single-thread score is 4562 versus 1408, a 69.1% lead.

The PassMark physics test shows the 255HX scoring 2926 against 1278 for the 211TE, a 56.3% lead. The PassMark extended instructions test shows a 79.1% lead, with scores of 41247 and 8615.

The average benchmark score in the database is 62738 for the 255HX, compared to 15370 for the 211TE. The 255HX sits at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the 211TE sits at the 69th percentile. The nearest rivals for the 255HX include the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 with an average score of 62839 and a delta of -0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 PRO 465 with an average score of 62498 and a delta of 0.4%. The nearest rivals for the 211TE include the AMD EPYC 7543 with an average score of 15477 and a delta of -0.7%, and the AMD EPYC 7702P with an average score of 15130 and a delta of 1.6%.