Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison
Intel Core 5 220H
Core 5 221E
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core 5 221E
The Intel Core 5 220H and Intel Core 5 221E are both active Intel processors, but they target different market segments and deliver distinctly different performance profiles. The 220H is a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP, while the 221E is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP. The benchmark data shows a clear and consistent performance gap, with the 221E winning all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. This analysis breaks down the architectural differences, the specific benchmark results, and the implications for each processor.
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark distribution is entirely one-sided. The Intel Core 5 221E wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database, taking 17 wins out of 17 possible tests. The Intel Core 5 220H does not record a single win across any Cinebench or Passmark workload.
The 220H is positioned as a mobile processor, using the Raptor Lake-H architecture and designed for the Intel BGA 1744 socket. Its performance profile is constrained by its 45 W TDP and mobile-focused design. The data shows it delivers reasonable multi-threaded performance for its class, but it consistently trails the desktop part by significant margins.
The 221E is a desktop processor built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, using the Intel Socket 1700 platform. It features a higher 65 W TDP and a larger 24 MB shared L3 cache. The performance advantage is not marginal; it is substantial across single-core, multi-core, and specialized workloads. The 221E is clearly the superior choice for raw compute performance, while the 220H is designed for systems where power consumption and socket compatibility are the primary constraints.
Architecture Differences
The two processors share some fundamental traits but diverge in core configuration, platform, and features. Both use Intel's 10 nm process node and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. Both also feature an L1 cache of 80 KB per core and an L2 cache of 2 MB per core.
The core counts differ significantly. The 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. This two-core and four-thread advantage for the 221E partially explains its multi-threaded lead, but it does not account for the full gap, as the 221E also wins decisively in single-threaded tests.
Clock speeds also favor the 221E. Both parts have a base clock of 2.70 GHz, but the 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz compared to the 220H's 4.90 GHz. This 0.30 GHz boost advantage translates directly into superior single-threaded performance.
The cache hierarchy differs at the L3 level. The 220H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 221E has 24 MB. This additional 6 MB of cache benefits workloads with large working sets, such as data compression and encryption.
Platform support is a major differentiator. The 220H uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and is a mobile part. It has 8 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). The 221E uses the Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop part, offering 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). This doubles the available CPU-attached PCIe bandwidth for expansion devices.
Memory bandwidth is another distinction. The 221E has a rated memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the 220H has no specific bandwidth figure recorded in the database. The 221E also supports ECC memory, which the 220H does not. This makes the 221E suitable for entry-level server or workstation tasks where data integrity is critical.
Integrated graphics differ as well. The 220H uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the 221E uses UHD Graphics 730. The mobile part's integrated GPU is aimed at light gaming and media playback on laptops, while the desktop part's GPU is more basic, suited for display output and office tasks.
The die size also sets them apart. The 221E has a die size of 257 mm², while the 220H has no die size recorded. The 221E's larger die likely accommodates the additional cores and cache.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The benchmark results quantify the 221E's dominance. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 221E scores 25933 against the 220H's 11198, a delta of -56.8% for the 220H. This means the 221E delivers more than double the multi-threaded rendering performance. The single-core Cinebench R23 test shows a similar story, with the 221E scoring 3661 versus 1853, a -49.4% delta.
Older Cinebench versions confirm the trend. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the 221E scores 10891 against 7812, a -28.3% delta. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 221E scores 2613 against 1835, a -29.8% delta. Single-core results in R20 and R15 are also consistently in favor of the 221E, with deltas of -28.3% and -28.8% respectively.
Passmark tests show the 221E's advantage across a range of workloads. In integer math, the 221E scores 117813 versus 73555, a -37.6% delta. Floating point math shows a -34.6% delta, with the 221E scoring 79028 against 51671. The 221E also leads in data compression, scoring 324285 versus 247921, a -23.5% delta, and in data encryption, scoring 19205 versus 15216, a -20.8% delta.
The most dramatic delta is in prime number finding. The 221E scores 173 against the 220H's 82, a -52.6% delta. This workload is highly sensitive to clock speed and cache, and the 221E's higher boost clock and larger L3 cache provide a massive advantage.
Extended instructions also favor the 221E, with a score of 18216 against 14642, a -19.6% delta. The multithread Passmark score shows a -28.3% delta, with the 221E at 30510 and the 220H at 21884. Physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests all follow the same pattern, with deltas ranging from -17.9% to -33.7%.
The average benchmark score reinforces the gap. The 220H has an average score of 28574, placing it at the 80th percentile of all CPUs. The 221E has an average score of 40144, placing it at the 87th percentile. The 221E's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 with an average score of 40081 and a delta of 0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 270 with an average score of 40246 and a delta of -0.3%. The 220H's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7203P with an average score of 28583 and a delta of 0%, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS with an average score of 28549 and a delta of 0.1%.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads.
Q: What is the difference in boost clock speed?
A: The 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the 220H boosts to 4.90 GHz.
Q: Does the 221E support ECC memory?
A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 221E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 220H does not.
Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?
A: The 221E has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 220H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.
Q: What is the largest performance delta between the two?
A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the 221E scores 25933 against the 220H's 11198, a -56.8% delta for the 220H.
Q: Which processor has a higher PCIe lane count?
A: The 221E offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the 220H offers 8 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).
The Verdict
The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core 5 221E outperforms the Intel Core 5 220H in every benchmark recorded, with deltas ranging from -17.9% in single-threaded Passmark to -56.8% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The 221E's higher core count, faster boost clock, larger L3 cache, and desktop platform all contribute to this result.
The 220H is a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP, designed for laptops and compact systems. Its 12 cores and 16 threads, combined with a 4.90 GHz boost clock, deliver adequate performance for mobile workloads, but it cannot match the desktop part. Its 80th percentile ranking places it alongside processors like the AMD EPYC 7203P and the Intel Core i5-12600, indicating solid mid-range performance.
The 221E is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP, an 87th percentile ranking, and an average benchmark score of 40144. It competes with the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and the Intel Core i9-13905H, both of which have average scores within 0.4% of the 221E. Its 14 cores, 20 threads, 5.20 GHz boost clock, and 24 MB L3 cache make it suitable for demanding desktop workloads, including content creation, data processing, and multi-threaded applications.
Users requiring maximum compute performance on a desktop platform should select the 221E. Users needing a mobile processor with moderate performance and lower power consumption should select the 220H. The 221E's ECC memory support and 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes also make it the appropriate choice for entry-level workstation or server builds, while the 220H's Iris Xe Graphics and mobile socket are better suited for portable systems.