Intel Core 5 213PE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive advantage for the Intel Core 5 213PE across nearly every benchmark in the comparison. Out of 17 head-to-head tests, the Core 5 213PE wins 16, with the Core Ultra 7 266V taking only a single victory. The margins are not uniform, however, and the pattern of those margins reveals distinct strengths for each processor.

The most striking result is in PassMark integer math. The Core 5 213PE scores 92,089 against 41,558 for the Core Ultra 7 266V, a delta of 121.6%. This is by far the largest gap in the entire comparison. Data compression also favors the Core 5 213PE heavily, with a score of 298,804 versus 187,050, a 59.7% advantage. Random string sorting shows a 39.8% lead for the Core 5 213PE (32,027 versus 22,905), and multithread performance is 35.8% higher (26,434 versus 19,461). The Cinebench suite tells a consistent story: all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core) show the Core 5 213PE ahead by roughly 35.7% to 35.9%. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 22,468 for the Core 5 213PE versus 16,544 for the Core Ultra 7 266V, while R23 single-core is 3,172 versus 2,335.

Other PassMark tests support the same overall picture. Extended instructions show a 22.8% lead for the Core 5 213PE (19,565 versus 15,928), and floating-point math is 20.5% higher (68,587 versus 56,923). Data encryption is closer, with the Core 5 213PE ahead by 15.1% (15,916 versus 13,822). The narrowest multi-core margin appears in PassMark physics, where the Core 5 213PE edges ahead by just 1% (1,624 versus 1,608). Single-thread performance in PassMark is also close: 4,060 versus 3,943, a 3% lead for the Core 5 213PE.

The single win for the Core Ultra 7 266V comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 191 against 114 for the Core 5 213PE, a delta of -40.3% in favor of the Ultra 7. This is an isolated result, but it is a large one and suggests a specific algorithmic advantage rather than a general performance edge.

Where Each One Wins

The data indicates that the Core 5 213PE is the stronger processor for the vast majority of workloads. Its 16 benchmark wins cover rendering (all Cinebench tests), compression, encryption, extended instruction sets, floating-point math, integer math, multithreaded tasks, physics simulation, string sorting, and single-threaded PassMark tests. The breadth of these wins suggests a general-purpose compute advantage that holds across both integer and floating-point workloads, as well as across both single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios.

The Core Ultra 7 266V's sole victory in find prime numbers is worth examining. Prime number finding is a workload that often benefits from specific instruction sequences and efficient branch handling. The Ultra 7's 3 nm TSMC process and Lunar Lake architecture may contribute to this result, but the database does not provide enough detail to isolate the cause. What is clear is that this benchmark represents a niche where the Ultra 7 delivers a 40.3% advantage, and that advantage does not transfer to any other tested workload.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the Core 5 213PE wins decisively. For workloads similar to prime number finding, the Core Ultra 7 266V shows a specific strength, though the database only records that single test in its favor. The average benchmark scores reinforce this split: the Core 5 213PE averages 35,428 across all tests, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 7 266V averages 23,297, placing it in the 76th percentile. The Core 5 213PE's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i7-13700T (average score 35,403, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i7-12700KF (35,365, delta 0.2%), and the Intel Core i5-13600T (35,305, delta 0.3%). The Core Ultra 7 266V sits closest to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H (23,277, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i9-11900F (23,254, delta 0.2%). These relative positions show that the Core 5 213PE competes in a higher performance tier, while the Core Ultra 7 266V aligns with a lower average-score bracket.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear choice for users who need maximum compute performance: the Intel Core 5 213PE. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, and its average benchmark score of 35,428 places it in the 85th percentile, far above the Core Ultra 7 266V's 23,297 and 76th percentile. The Core 5 213PE delivers over 35% higher scores across the entire Cinebench suite, and its multithreaded PassMark score is 35.8% higher. For integer math, the advantage reaches 121.6%, which is a substantial gap for any workload involving heavy arithmetic.

The Core Ultra 7 266V is not without merit, but its strengths are narrow. Its single benchmark win, find prime numbers, shows a 40.3% advantage, and its single-thread PassMark score of 3,943 is only 3% behind the Core 5 213PE. The physics test is also close, with a 1% delta. Users whose workloads closely match the prime number finding test could see a benefit from the Ultra 7, but the database does not show this advantage extending to any other measured task.

The Core 5 213PE also holds a percentile advantage, sitting at 85 versus 76. Its nearest rivals in the database are all Intel Core i7 parts, while the Core Ultra 7 266V's nearest rivals include both AMD and older Intel parts. This separation in competitive positioning reflects the overall performance gap recorded in the measurements. For any workload represented by the 16 tests the Core 5 213PE wins, it is the better choice. The Core Ultra 7 266V is the better choice only for the specific prime number workload tested.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PE wins 16 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V wins only one.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the Intel Core 5 213PE scores 92,089 versus 41,558 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V, a 121.6% advantage.

Q: In which single benchmark does the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V outperform the Core 5 213PE?

A: The Core Ultra 7 266V wins in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 191 versus 114 for the Core 5 213PE, a 40.3% advantage.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PE has an average benchmark score of 35,428, placing it in the 85th percentile. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V has an average score of 23,297, placing it in the 76th percentile.

Q: How close are the single-threaded PassMark scores?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PE scores 4,060, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V scores 3,943. The Core 5 213PE leads by 3%.

Q: Which processor has higher Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PE scores 22,468, compared to 16,544 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V, a 35.8% advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their underlying designs. The Intel Core 5 213PE is a desktop part built on Intel's 10 nm process and uses the Bartlett Lake codename. It fits the Intel Socket 1700 and has a TDP of 65. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V is a mobile processor built on a 3 nm process by TSMC, uses the Lunar Lake architecture, and fits the Intel BGA 2833 socket with a TDP of 17. These differences in process node and foundry (Intel versus TSMC) indicate fundamentally different manufacturing approaches.

Core and thread counts differ as well. Both processors have 8 cores, but the Core 5 213PE supports 16 threads while the Core Ultra 7 266V supports 8 threads. This means the Core 5 213PE supports simultaneous multithreading, while the Core Ultra 7 266V does not. Cache hierarchies also differ: the Core 5 213PE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 266V has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches but less total L3.

Memory support is another point of divergence. The Core 5 213PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s and includes ECC memory support. The Core Ultra 7 266V supports LPDDR5X memory (dependent on motherboard) over a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s and does not support ECC memory. The Ultra 7 offers higher memory bandwidth despite its lower power envelope.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 5 213PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 7 266V provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are different as well: the Core 5 213PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 7 266V uses Arc 140V. The Core 5 213PE is a desktop part with a launch MSRP of $221, while the Core Ultra 7 266V is a mobile part with no launch MSRP recorded.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several specification fields. The Core 5 213PE has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Core Ultra 7 266V has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Core 5 213PE has a TDP of 65, while the Core Ultra 7 266V has a TDP of 17. The sockets differ: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 5 213PE versus Intel BGA 2833 for the Core Ultra 7 266V.

The process node and foundry differ: the Core 5 213PE uses a 10 nm process from Intel, while the Core Ultra 7 266V uses a 3 nm process from TSMC. The Core 5 213PE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 266V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Cache sizes differ at every level: L1 is 80 KB per core for the Core 5 213PE versus 192 KB per core for the Core Ultra 7 266V; L2 is 2 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core; L3 is 24 MB shared versus 12 MB shared.

Memory support differs: the Core 5 213PE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 7 266V supports LPDDR5X (dependent on motherboard). Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 213PE versus 136.5 GB/s for the Core Ultra 7 266V. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5 213PE but not on the Core Ultra 7 266V. PCIe lanes differ: 16 lanes for the Core 5 213PE versus 4 lanes for the Core Ultra 7 266V, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 5 213PE versus Arc 140V for the Core Ultra 7 266V. The market segment differs: Desktop for the Core 5 213PE versus Mobile for the Core Ultra 7 266V. The release dates differ, with the Core 5 213PE releasing on 2026-03-08 and the Core Ultra 7 266V on 2024-09-23. The Core 5 213PE has a launch MSRP of $221, while the Core Ultra 7 266V has no launch MSRP. The part numbers are SA4QG for the Core 5 213PE and SRPMMSRPMY for the Core Ultra 7 266V.