Intel Core 5 211TE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a decisive overall win for the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, which takes 16 of the 17 recorded benchmark comparisons. The sole exception is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core 5 211TE leads by 17.3% with a score of 12201 versus 10399. That result is notable because the Core 5 211TE uses 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 256V uses 8 cores and 8 threads, so the desktop chip's higher thread count translates into a clear win in that specific heavy multi-threaded workload.

Beyond that single victory, the Core Ultra 7 256V dominates every other test, often by substantial margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 7 scores 1583.5 against 1229, a 22.4% advantage. Single-core performance in R15 is even more lopsided: 285.5 versus 173, a 39.4% gap. The R20 results follow the same pattern, with the Ultra 7 leading multi-core by 26.4% (6958 versus 5124) and single-core by 26.4% (982 versus 723). In R23 single-core, the Ultra 7 stays ahead by 8.3% (1877.5 versus 1722), though the margin narrows compared to older Cinebench versions.

The PassMark suite amplifies the Ultra 7's advantage. Data compression shows a 27.9% lead (184985 versus 133434), and data encryption is 48.3% ahead (13998 versus 7231). Extended instructions favor the Ultra 7 by 44.9% (15643 versus 8615). Prime number finding is a 62.5% gap (192 versus 72), while floating point math shows a 55.4% lead (58576 versus 26150). Integer math is closer at 21.6% (43358 versus 33991). The multithread test gives the Ultra 7 a 40.2% edge (19530 versus 11685), and physics testing shows a 19.9% lead (1595 versus 1278). Random string sorting is 34% ahead (22481 versus 14838). The single-thread PassMark tests are the most dramatic: 4029 versus 1408, a 65.1% difference. That massive single-thread gap suggests the Ultra 7's architecture delivers far higher per-core efficiency, which compounds across most workloads.

Looking at the aggregate data, the Core Ultra 7 256V records an average benchmark score of 21112 versus 15370 for the Core 5 211TE, a 37.4% overall advantage. The Ultra 7 also sits at the 75th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 211TE ranks at the 69th percentile. The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce this positioning: the Ultra 7's closest match is the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U at 21133 (0.1% difference), while the Core 5 211TE's nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 7543 at 15477 (0.7% difference). The data clearly separates these two processors into different performance tiers.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate that the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is the stronger processor in nearly every measured category. Its 16 wins out of 17 head-to-head tests, combined with a 37.4% higher average score, make it the clear choice for anyone who prioritizes raw performance across a broad range of tasks. The single-thread advantage of 65.1% in PassMark is particularly decisive for applications that rely on per-core speed, such as lightly threaded productivity software and general desktop responsiveness. The Ultra 7 also leads in data compression, encryption, and floating point math, which points to strong all-round capability.

The Intel Core 5 211TE has one meaningful advantage: Cinebench R23 multi-core performance, where it beats the Ultra 7 by 17.3%. That result comes from its higher core and thread count (10 cores, 16 threads versus 8 cores, 8 threads). For workloads that scale well with many threads and specifically respond to the R23 rendering workload, the Core 5 211TE delivers a measurable win. However, that advantage does not carry over to the older Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests, where the Ultra 7 leads by 22.4% and 26.4% respectively. This inconsistency suggests the R23 result may reflect a specific optimization rather than a general multi-threaded superiority.

From a platform perspective, the two chips serve different market segments. The Core 5 211TE is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700 with a 45 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 7 256V is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2833 with a 17 W TDP. The Ultra 7 achieves its higher performance at less than half the TDP, which indicates a substantially more efficient architecture. For a mobile platform, that efficiency is critical, and the data shows no performance penalty versus the desktop chip except in that single R23 multi-core test.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins in every PassMark subtest, which covers data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and both single-thread variants. It also wins all three Cinebench R15 and R20 tests (multi-core and single-core), plus Cinebench R23 single-core. This makes it the preferred choice for general productivity, scientific computing, encryption workloads, and any application where single-thread speed matters. The 65.1% single-thread PassMark lead is the standout statistic, and it suggests the Ultra 7's Lunar Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, extracts significantly more instructions per clock than the older Bartlett Lake design on Intel's 10 nm node.

The Intel Core 5 211TE wins only Cinebench R23 multi-core, with a 17.3% margin. That specific result is relevant for users running modern rendering or 3D modeling workloads that use the R23 benchmark's threading model. The Core 5's 10 cores and 16 threads provide a structural advantage in heavily parallel tasks, even if the older Cinebench versions do not reflect it. For a desktop system where multi-threaded rendering is the primary use case, the Core 5 211TE holds its ground in that one test. However, the Ultra 7's 8 cores still beat it in R15 and R20 multi-core, so the Core 5's multi-core advantage is not consistent across benchmark versions.

The Core 5 211TE also supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 7 does not. That feature, combined with its desktop socket and 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (versus 4 lanes on the Ultra 7), makes the Core 5 more suitable for a workstation or server-oriented build where error correction and expansion capability matter more than raw speed. The Ultra 7's integrated Arc 140V graphics also outpace the UHD Graphics 730 in the Core 5, based on their relative positioning, though no direct graphics benchmark scores are recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V records an average benchmark score of 21112, compared to 15370 for the Intel Core 5 211TE, a 37.4% difference.

Q: Does the Core 5 211TE win any benchmark against the Ultra 7 256V?

A: Yes, the Core 5 211TE wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 12201 versus 10399, a 17.3% lead. It loses the other 16 head-to-head comparisons.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: In PassMark single-thread tests, the Ultra 7 256V scores 4029 versus 1408 for the Core 5 211TE, a 65.1% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap narrows to 8.3% (1877.5 versus 1722).

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Despite fewer threads, the Ultra 7 wins most multi-threaded tests.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The Core 5 211TE has a 45 W TDP, and the Core Ultra 7 256V has a 17 W TDP. The Ultra 7 achieves higher performance at less than half the power envelope.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core 5 211TE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 7 256V does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different Intel designs. The Core 5 211TE is based on the Bartlett Lake codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 215 mm². It uses a generation label of "Core 5 (Bartlett Lake)" and has no listed architecture name. The Core Ultra 7 256V belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Lunar Lake architecture, and is manufactured on TSMC's 3 nm process. The 3 nm node represents a significant shrink versus 10 nm, which helps explain the Ultra 7's superior efficiency and per-core performance.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The Core 5 211TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 256V has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 offers more L1 and L2 per core, while the Core 5 provides more total L3. This cache distribution likely contributes to the Ultra 7's strong single-thread performance, as more per-core cache reduces memory latency for frequently accessed data.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Core 5 211TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 7 256V uses Arc 140V. The Arc 140V is a newer generation integrated GPU and, based on the product positioning, delivers higher graphics capability. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not available on either.

The memory support differs as well. The Core 5 211TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Core Ultra 7 256V has memory support listed as "unknown, depends on motherboard" but also uses a dual-channel memory bus, with no bandwidth figure recorded. The Core 5's support for DDR4 gives it flexibility for lower-cost builds, while the Ultra 7's memory type is tied to the motherboard design.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show clear distinctions between the two CPUs. The Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, a base clock of 1.70 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads, a base clock of 2.20 GHz, and the same 4.80 GHz boost clock. The Ultra 7 starts from a higher base frequency, which contributes to its single-thread dominance.

The TDP values differ by 28 W: the Core 5 draws 45 W, and the Ultra 7 draws 17 W. The socket types are incompatible: the Core 5 uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 uses Intel BGA 2833. The Core 5 is a desktop part, and the Ultra 7 is a mobile part. The Core 5 supports ECC memory, and the Ultra 7 does not. The PCIe lanes differ, with the Core 5 offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only) for the Ultra 7.

The release dates differ: the Core 5 211TE launched on January 12, 2025, and the Core Ultra 7 256V launched on September 23, 2024. The Core 5 has a launch MSRP of $221, while the Ultra 7 has no recorded launch MSRP. The process nodes differ as noted, with Intel 10 nm versus TSMC 3 nm. The Core 5 has a die size of 215 mm², while the Ultra 7 has no recorded die size. The part numbers are SRQDL for the Core 5 and SRPMPSRPMZ for the Ultra 7. Both are listed as active production parts with locked multipliers. The Core 5's memory bandwidth is recorded at 76.8 GB/s, while the Ultra 7 has no bandwidth figure. The Core 5's market segment is Desktop, and the Ultra 7's is Mobile.