Intel Core 5 213PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for the Intel Core 5 213PE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 reveals a clear split in performance characteristics. The Core 5 213PE dominates Cinebench workloads, while the Core Ultra 5 235 takes the majority of PassMark tests. Out of 17 recorded comparisons, the Core Ultra 5 235 wins 10, while the Core 5 213PE wins 7.

The most striking result is in Cinebench R15 multicore. The Core 5 213PE scores 2264 against 1488 for the Core Ultra 5 235, a margin of 52.2%. This pattern repeats across every Cinebench test. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Core 5 213PE records 9436 versus 6202, again a 52.1% advantage. Single-core results follow the same trend: Cinebench R15 single-core shows 319 versus 210 (51.9% ahead), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3172 versus 2085 (52.1% ahead). The Core 5 213PE also wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 52.2% and Cinebench R23 multicore by 52.1%. These are not marginal differences; the Core 5 213PE is consistently more than half again as fast across the entire Cinebench suite.

PassMark integer math is another win for the Core 5 213PE, though far narrower. It scores 92089 against 87948, a 4.7% edge. This is the only PassMark test the Core 5 213PE wins, and it is the smallest margin in any head-to-head comparison.

The Core Ultra 5 235 answers with substantial wins in memory and workload-specific tests. Data compression shows 390711 against 298804, a 23.5% advantage. Data encryption goes to the Core Ultra 5 235 at 29293 versus 15916, a 45.7% gap. Extended instructions favor the Core Ultra 5 235 at 32752 versus 19565, a 40.3% margin. The prime number test is the largest divergence: 371 versus 114, a 69.3% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235. Floating point math also goes strongly to the Core Ultra 5 235, 117951 versus 68587, a 41.9% lead. Multithread performance shows 37816 versus 26434, a 30.1% advantage. Physics tests give the Core Ultra 5 235 a 36.8% lead (2570 versus 1624). Random string sorting favors the Core Ultra 5 235 by 34.6% (48980 versus 32027). Finally, single-thread performance in PassMark goes to the Core Ultra 5 235 at 4516 versus 4060, a 10.1% advantage.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall split. The Core 5 213PE averages 35428, while the Core Ultra 5 235 averages 46062. The Core Ultra 5 235 sits at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, against the 85th percentile for the Core 5 213PE. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 213PE include the Intel Core i7-13700T at an average score of 35403 (0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i7-12700KF at 35365 (0.2% difference). The Core Ultra 5 235, meanwhile, sits within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 (46030) and within 0.1% of the Intel Core i9-13900HX (46098).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design lineages. The Core 5 213PE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 235 uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically the Arrow Lake-S codename, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The Core Ultra 5 235 is part of the Core Ultra Series 2 family.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 5 213PE has 8 cores and 16 threads, indicating hyperthreading support. The Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores but only 14 threads, meaning it does not use hyperthreading. Despite fewer threads, the Core Ultra 5 235 holds advantages in most PassMark workloads, suggesting architectural efficiency gains.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 5 213PE uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The Core Ultra 5 235 uses 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core. Both share 24 MB of L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 235 also reports 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die; no transistor or die size data is recorded for the Core 5 213PE.

Memory support marks another division. The Core 5 213PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235 supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Memory bandwidth favors the Core Ultra 5 235 at 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 213PE. ECC memory support is present on the Core 5 213PE but absent on the Core Ultra 5 235.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Core 5 213PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 235 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 213PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 235 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU.

Clock speeds show a trade-off. The Core 5 213PE has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 235 has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz but a lower boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Both processors have a TDP of 65 and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Sockets are incompatible. The Core 5 213PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 235 uses Intel Socket 1851. Release dates differ: the Core Ultra 5 235 was released on 2025-01-06, and the Core 5 213PE on 2026-03-08. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 213PE is $221, and for the Core Ultra 5 235 it is $257.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents two distinct profiles. The Core 5 213PE is the stronger choice for Cinebench-type rendering workloads, where it leads by roughly 52% across all measured tests. Its 16 threads and 5.20 GHz boost clock likely contribute to this dominance, though the recorded data does not directly attribute causality. The Core 5 213PE also holds a narrow 4.7% edge in PassMark integer math.

The Core Ultra 5 235 wins the overall average score comparison by a wide margin, 46062 versus 35428. Its 10 wins against 7 include the largest single advantage in the entire dataset, a 69.3% lead in prime number finding. It also leads in data encryption by 45.7%, floating point math by 41.9%, and extended instructions by 40.3%. For workloads in the PassMark suite, the Core Ultra 5 235 is the faster processor.

The percentile ranking confirms the aggregate view. The Core Ultra 5 235 sits at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, four points above the Core 5 213PE at the 85th percentile. The nearest rival comparisons place the two processors in different competitive tiers: the Core 5 213PE trades within 0.4% of Intel Core i7-12700K-class parts, while the Core Ultra 5 235 trades within 0.2% of AMD EPYC server parts and within 0.1% of the Intel Core i9-13900HX.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 5 213PE wins 7.

Q: How large is the Core 5 213PE's advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Core 5 213PE scores 22468 against 14769 for the Core Ultra 5 235, a 52.1% advantage.

Q: Where does the Core Ultra 5 235 have its biggest lead?

A: In the PassMark find prime numbers test, the Core Ultra 5 235 scores 371 versus 114, a 69.3% advantage. This is the largest margin in any test.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core 5 213PE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235 does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235 provides 102.4 GB/s, while the Core 5 213PE provides 76.8 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core 5 213PE has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 235 has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 213PE wins all three Cinebench generations recorded: R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multicore tests. The margins are consistently around 52%. It also wins PassMark integer math with a 4.7% edge. This profile suggests the Core 5 213PE is the stronger option for rendering workloads and integer-heavy computations. Its 16 threads and higher boost clock likely support this performance, though the data does not directly confirm causation.

The Core Ultra 5 235 wins the remaining PassMark tests: data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread performance. Its leads range from 10.1% in single-thread to 69.3% in prime numbers. The Core Ultra 5 235 also has the higher average benchmark score, 46062 against 35428, and the higher percentile ranking at 89 versus 85. Memory bandwidth also favors the Core Ultra 5 235 at 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. The Core 5 213PE uses 8 cores and 16 threads; the Core Ultra 5 235 uses 14 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks are 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 213PE and 3.40 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 235. Boost clocks are 5.20 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively. Both have a TDP of 65.

Process technology separates them clearly: 10 nm at Intel for the Core 5 213PE, 3 nm at TSMC for the Core Ultra 5 235. The Core Ultra 5 235 records 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die; no such data exists for the Core 5 213PE. L1 cache per core is 80 KB for the Core 5 213PE and 192 KB for the Core Ultra 5 235. L2 cache per core is 2 MB versus 3 MB. Both have 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support: the Core 5 213PE handles DDR4 and DDR5, the Core Ultra 5 235 handles DDR5 only. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is available on the Core 5 213PE but not on the Core Ultra 5 235. PCIe lanes from the CPU are 16 for the Core 5 213PE and 20 for the Core Ultra 5 235, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU. Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel Socket 1851. Release dates are 2026-03-08 for the Core 5 213PE and 2025-01-06 for the Core Ultra 5 235. The launch MSRP is $221 for the Core 5 213PE and $257 for the Core Ultra 5 235. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.