Intel Core 5 213PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 5 213PE and Intel Core Ultra 5 225 are both 65 W desktop parts, but they serve different builders. The database shows the Core 5 213PE wins 3 benchmark comparisons, while the Core Ultra 5 225 wins 14. The Core Ultra 5 225 has the higher average benchmark score at 36938 versus 35428 for the Core 5 213PE, a gap of about 4.3%. Both CPUs sit at the 85th percentile among all processors in the database.

The Core Ultra 5 225 is the pick for general-purpose work, single-threaded responsiveness, and most multi-threaded workloads. It leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R23 multi-core, PassMark multi-thread, and PassMark single-thread. The Core 5 213PE counters in three specific areas: Cinebench R20 multi-core, Cinebench R20 single-core, and PassMark integer math. Builders prioritizing integer-heavy tasks or those tied to Cinebench R20 results should look at the Core 5 213PE. Everyone else gets better overall performance from the Core Ultra 5 225.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel generations and foundries. The Core 5 213PE uses Bartlett Lake, built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Arrow Lake-S, built on TSMC's 3 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 225 packs 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die; the Core 5 213PE has no recorded transistor or die size in the database.

Core counts differ significantly. The Core 5 213PE has 8 cores and 16 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to double thread count. The Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads, with no thread doubling. The Ultra part runs a higher base clock at 3.30 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, but the Core 5 213PE boosts higher at 5.20 GHz versus 4.90 GHz.

Cache layouts diverge. The Core 5 213PE uses 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 225 uses 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, but only 20 MB shared L3. The Ultra part has more per-core cache but less shared cache overall.

Memory support differs. The Core 5 213PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 225 supports only DDR5 dual-channel with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. The Core Ultra 5 225 offers more PCIe lanes at 20 Gen 5 lanes versus 16 Gen 5 lanes on the Core 5 213PE. Integrated graphics also differ: UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 213PE versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU on the Core Ultra 5 225.

Sockets are incompatible. The Core 5 213PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 225 uses Intel Socket 1851. The Core 5 213PE launched in March 2026; the Core Ultra 5 225 launched in January 2025. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 225 dominates the majority of head-to-head comparisons. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 25891 against 22468 for the Core 5 213PE, a 13.2% lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar 13.2% advantage at 2609 versus 2264. PassMark multi-thread confirms this trend: 30459 versus 26434, again a 13.2% gap. The consistency across these three multi-threaded tests points to a genuine throughput advantage for the Ultra part.

Single-threaded results favor the Core Ultra 5 225 across the board. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3655 versus 3172, a 13.2% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 368 versus 319, a 13.3% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 4412 versus 4060, an 8% lead. The Ultra part also leads PassMark physics by 30.7% (2342 versus 1624), PassMark floating-point math by 25.5% (92038 versus 68587), and PassMark extended instructions by 28% (27162 versus 19565).

The Core Ultra 5 225 shows particularly strong results in specialized workloads. PassMark find prime numbers shows 358 versus 114, a 68.2% advantage. PassMark data encryption shows 22285 versus 15916, a 28.6% lead. PassMark data compression shows a narrower 1.3% edge at 302811 versus 298804. PassMark random string sorting goes to the Ultra part by 12.5% (36590 versus 32027).

The Core 5 213PE wins three comparisons, and two of those wins are massive. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 9436 versus 6317, a 49.4% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1332 versus 891, a 49.5% lead. These are the largest deltas in the entire head-to-head set. The third win comes in PassMark integer math: 92089 versus 65345, a 40.9% advantage. The Core 5 213PE's 16 threads likely drive its R20 multi-core win, while its 5.20 GHz boost clock may explain the R20 single-core result. The integer math win indicates strong ALU performance in that specific workload.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. The Core 5 213PE has more threads despite fewer cores.

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins every single-threaded comparison. It leads by 13.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core, 13.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and 8% in PassMark single-thread. The one exception is Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Core 5 213PE wins by 49.5%.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What memory types does each CPU support?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 supports only DDR5 dual-channel with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PE boosts to 5.20 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 boosts to 4.90 GHz. The Core 5 213PE also has a lower base clock at 2.70 GHz versus 3.30 GHz for the Ultra part.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has an average benchmark score of 36938. The Intel Core 5 213PE has an average benchmark score of 35428. The Ultra part leads by roughly 4.3%. Both CPUs sit at the 85th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 225 wins most workload categories. It leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R23 multi-core, PassMark multi-thread, PassMark physics, PassMark floating-point math, PassMark data compression, PassMark data encryption, PassMark extended instructions, PassMark find prime numbers, PassMark random string sorting, and PassMark single-thread. Builders targeting general productivity, content creation, physics simulations, or encryption-heavy tasks should choose this part.

The Core 5 213PE wins in exactly three categories: Cinebench R20 multi-core, Cinebench R20 single-core, and PassMark integer math. The R20 wins are substantial at 49.4% and 49.5% respectively, suggesting this CPU has a specific strength in that benchmark generation. The integer math win at 40.9% indicates strong performance in integer-heavy calculations, which appear in compression, hashing, and certain database workloads.

The Core Ultra 5 225 also wins the overall comparison with 14 head-to-head wins versus 3 for the Core 5 213PE. Its higher average benchmark score of 36938 versus 35428 confirms the broader performance advantage. The Core 5 213PE remains relevant only for builders whose workloads align with its specific wins, particularly Cinebench R20 results or integer math.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every specification field. Core count: 8 for the Core 5 213PE versus 10 for the Core Ultra 5 225. Thread count: 16 versus 10. Base clock: 2.70 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. Boost clock: 5.20 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. Process node: 10 nm versus 3 nm. Foundry: Intel versus TSMC.

Cache differs in all three levels. L1 per core: 80 KB versus 192 KB. L2 per core: 2 MB versus 3 MB. L3 shared: 24 MB versus 20 MB. The Core Ultra 5 225 has larger per-core caches but smaller shared L3.

Memory support: DDR4 and DDR5 versus DDR5 only. Memory bandwidth: 76.8 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. ECC: supported versus not supported. PCIe lanes: 16 Gen 5 versus 20 Gen 5. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU.

Socket: Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel Socket 1851. Release date: March 2026 versus January 2025. Transistor count: not recorded versus 17,800 million. Die size: not recorded versus 243 mm². Launch MSRP: $221 for the Core 5 213PE, $246 for the Core Ultra 5 225. Neither part has an unlocked multiplier. Both CPUs are active in production and target the desktop market segment.