Intel Core 5 213PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus dominates every recorded benchmark against the Intel Core 5 213PE. Across 17 head-to-head comparisons, the Ultra 5 wins all 17, with no benchmark favoring the Core 5 in any workload category. The margins are substantial, ranging from a 13.6% advantage in single-threaded tests to a 74.8% lead in prime number calculations.

The largest single gap appears in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the Ultra 5 scores 452 against 114 for the Core 5, a 74.8% deficit. This indicates a massive advantage in integer-heavy, latency-sensitive workloads that rely on raw processing throughput. Data encryption shows the second-largest gap at 61.5%, with the Ultra 5 posting 41,292 versus 15,916. The floating point math test shows a 57.1% gap (159,824 versus 68,587), while extended instructions testing shows a 54.4% difference (42,880 versus 19,565).

The Cinebench suite tells a consistent story. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 5 scores 42,718 versus 22,468, a 47.4% advantage. The same 47.4% delta appears across all six Cinebench tests: R15 multi-core (4,305 versus 2,264), R15 single-core (607 versus 319), R20 multi-core (17,941 versus 9,436), R20 single-core (2,532 versus 1,332), and R23 single-core (6,030 versus 3,172). This uniformity suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

PassMark multi-thread testing shows 50,146 versus 26,434, a 47.3% lead. Physics simulation scores 3,183 versus 1,624, a 49% gap. Random string sorting delivers 67,209 versus 32,027, a 52.3% difference. The smaller single-thread gap of 13.6% (4,698 versus 4,060) indicates that while the Ultra 5 has superior single-core capability, its multi-core advantage is amplified by the larger core count and higher sustained clocks.

Data compression shows a 46% gap (553,155 versus 298,804), while integer math posts the narrowest multi-threaded margin at 25.1% (123,030 versus 92,089). The average benchmark score for the Ultra 5 is 66,159, placing it at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 averages 35,428, at the 85th percentile. The Ultra 5's nearest rival is the Intel Core 9 273PQE at 66,099 (0.1% difference), followed by the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D at 65,914 (0.4% ahead). The Core 5 sits within 0.1% of the Intel Core i7-13700T (35,403) and 0.4% of the Intel Core i7-12700K (35,287).

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different Intel design philosophies separated by a generation. The Core 5 213PE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture on a 10 nm Intel process, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture on a 3 nm TSMC process. This node difference alone explains much of the efficiency and performance disparity.

Core configuration differs sharply. The Core 5 provides 8 cores and 16 threads, indicating hyperthreading support. The Ultra 5 provides 18 cores and 18 threads, meaning it operates without simultaneous multithreading, relying on physical cores alone. Despite having two more threads available on the Core 5, the Ultra 5's 10 additional physical cores produce dramatically higher multi-threaded scores.

Cache hierarchies scale with the core counts. The Core 5 allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations on the Ultra 5 improve latency-sensitive performance, while the 6 MB extra L3 helps with data-heavy workloads.

Clock speeds favor the Ultra 5. Its base clock runs at 4.20 GHz versus 2.70 GHz on the Core 5, a notable difference for sustained workloads. Boost clocks are closer: 5.30 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. The higher base clock means the Ultra 5 maintains much faster performance under continuous load without relying on boost behavior.

Memory support also differs. The Core 5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Ultra 5 achieves 115.2 GB/s bandwidth versus 76.8 GB/s on the Core 5. This 38.4 GB/s advantage benefits memory-intensive applications. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity favors the Ultra 5 with Gen 5 support across 20 CPU lanes, compared to Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the Core 5. The Core 5 includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 5 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The Ultra 5 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking; the Core 5 does not.

The Ultra 5 uses 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, produced by TSMC. The Core 5's transistor count and die size are not recorded. Power draw differs substantially: the Ultra 5 has a 125 W TDP versus 65 W on the Core 5. Sockets are incompatible: the Core 5 uses Intel Socket 1700, the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851. Release dates are close, with the Core 5 launched on March 8, 2026, and the Ultra 5 on March 10, 2026.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads in every multi-threaded benchmark. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 42,718 versus 22,468, a 47.4% advantage. PassMark multi-thread scores 50,146 versus 26,434, a 47.3% gap.

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

A: The Ultra 5 leads by 13.6% in PassMark single-thread tests (4,698 versus 4,060) and by 47.4% in Cinebench R23 single-core (6,030 versus 3,172). The Cinebench gap is proportionally larger than the PassMark gap.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Core 5 213PE and the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus support ECC memory. The Core 5 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 supports DDR5 only.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core 5 213PE includes UHD Graphics 730. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The Core 5 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 5 has 18 cores and 18 threads. The Ultra 5 uses no hyperthreading but provides 10 additional physical cores.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ultra 5 boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the Core 5 boosts to 5.20 GHz. The Ultra 5 also has a much higher base clock at 4.20 GHz versus 2.70 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 5 213PE | Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus |

|-------|---------------------|-------------------------------|

| Cores | 8 | 18 |

| Threads | 16 | 18 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| Process Node | 10 nm (Intel) | 3 nm (TSMC) |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | N/A |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $221 | $184 |

| Release Date | March 8, 2026 | March 10, 2026 |

Where Each One Wins

The data shows no benchmark wins for the Intel Core 5 213PE across the 17 recorded comparisons. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins every category, including all Cinebench variants, all PassMark subtests, and both single-thread and multi-thread evaluations. The Core 5's only relative strengths are its lower 65 W TDP, which suits compact or power-constrained systems, and its integrated UHD Graphics 730, which eliminates the need for a separate GPU in basic display configurations. It also supports DDR4 memory, which may allow reuse of existing memory modules. The Core 5 occupies the 85th percentile of all CPUs, placing it near the Intel Core i7-13700T and Intel Core i7-12700K in overall performance.

The Ultra 5 dominates in every performance metric. Its 93rd percentile ranking places it alongside the Intel Core 9 273PQE and AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, with a 0.1% to 0.4% spread among those rivals. The largest wins appear in prime number finding (74.8% ahead), encryption (61.5% ahead), and floating point math (57.1% ahead). The smallest advantage is in single-thread PassMark at 13.6%, still a clear lead. The Ultra 5's unlocked multiplier allows additional performance tuning, and its 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes provide more connectivity headroom for high-speed storage and expansion. The 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth is 50% higher than the Core 5's 76.8 GB/s, benefiting data-intensive applications.

For users building a new system with DDR5 memory and a discrete GPU, the Ultra 5 offers consistently superior performance across all measured workloads. The Core 5 serves scenarios where integrated graphics, lower power draw, and DDR4 compatibility take priority over raw throughput.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers an unambiguous conclusion: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus outperforms the Intel Core 5 213PE in every recorded test. The average benchmark score of 66,159 versus 35,428 represents an 86.8% higher overall result, and the percentile ranking of 93 versus 85 confirms the Ultra 5 sits in a higher performance tier.

Systems requiring maximum multi-threaded throughput should select the Ultra 5. Its 18 physical cores and 4.20 GHz base clock produce Cinebench R23 multi-core scores of 42,718, nearly double the Core 5's 22,468. Content creation, scientific computing, and virtualization workloads benefit from this margin. The Ultra 5's 30 MB L3 cache and 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth further support large datasets and parallel processing.

Systems prioritizing energy efficiency and minimal hardware requirements may consider the Core 5. Its 65 W TDP is nearly half the Ultra 5's 125 W, and the integrated UHD Graphics 730 removes the need for a discrete GPU in basic desktop use. The DDR4 support allows incremental upgrades from older platforms. However, these advantages come with substantial performance trade-offs across every benchmark category.

The Ultra 5 also launches at a lower MSRP of $184 versus $221 for the Core 5, though both are recent releases with active production status. The Core 5 uses the older Intel Socket 1700 platform, while the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851, so platform choice will dictate compatibility.

For any workload measured in the database, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the superior processor. The only reasons to select the Core 5 213PE are its integrated graphics, lower power draw, and DDR4 compatibility, none of which appear in the performance benchmarks as advantages. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the Ultra 5 leading by margins from 13.6% to 74.8% depending on the workload.