Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE records an average benchmark score of 41650, while the Intel Core 5 220H scores 28574. The Core 7 251TE sits in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 80th percentile for the Core 5 220H.

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

A: The largest difference appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core 7 251TE scores 25518 versus 11198 for the Core 5 220H, a 56.1% advantage for the Core 7.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the Core 5 220H wins?

A: No. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the Core 7 251TE wins every single one. The Core 5 220H has zero wins.

Q: How do the core and thread counts differ?

A: The Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads. The Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, exactly double the core count and thread count.

Q: What are the platform differences?

A: The Core 5 220H uses Intel BGA 1744 socket, Raptor Lake-H architecture, and targets the mobile market. The Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700, Bartlett Lake architecture, and targets the desktop market.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Core 7 251TE has 36 MB shared L3 cache. The Core 5 220H has 18 MB shared L3 cache, exactly half.

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear hierarchy. The Intel Core 7 251TE dominates the Intel Core 5 220H in every single benchmark test, with no exceptions across 17 head-to-head comparisons. The smallest margin is in Passmark single-thread, where the Core 7 leads by only 4.6%, while the largest margin reaches 56.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

The Core 7 251TE belongs in a desktop system. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, 36 MB L3 cache, and 5.40 GHz boost clock produce benchmark results that place it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs. It competes closely with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H, which scores 41621, a delta of just 0.1%. It also runs within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-14650HX and trails the Intel Core i7-14700T by 0.6%.

The Core 5 220H, meanwhile, is a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP. Its 12 cores and 16 threads still deliver respectable results, placing it in the 80th percentile. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS, which is 0.1% behind, and the Intel Xeon E-2436, which is 0.2% ahead. The AMD EPYC 7203P matches its average score almost exactly.

For builders choosing between these two, the data points in a single direction. The Core 7 251TE delivers materially higher performance in every workload category measured, from integer math to data compression to Cinebench rendering. The Core 5 220H offers no benchmark advantage whatsoever. The only reason to select the Core 5 220H would be the mobile form factor, since the Core 7 251TE is a desktop part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core 7 251TE sweeps all 17 recorded benchmarks. The margins vary significantly by workload type.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core 7 scores 2572 against 1835 for the Core 5, a 28.7% lead. The single-core result shows a 27.6% advantage (362 versus 262). Moving to Cinebench R20, the Core 7 leads by 27.1% in both multi-core (10717 versus 7812) and single-core (1512 versus 1102).

Cinebench R23 reveals the largest gap. The Core 7 scores 25518 in multi-core, which is 56.1% higher than the Core 5's 11198. In single-core, the Core 7 reaches 3602 versus 1853, a 48.6% margin. This suggests the Core 7 scales exceptionally well under sustained multi-threaded rendering loads.

Passmark tests show consistent advantages for the Core 7. Integer math scores 125739 versus 73555, a 41.5% lead. Floating point math delivers 85607 versus 51671, a 39.6% margin. Data compression shows 334399 versus 247921, a 25.9% difference. Data encryption records 22176 versus 15216, a 31.4% gap.

The narrowest win is in Passmark single-thread, where the Core 7 scores 3568 versus 3405, just 4.6% ahead. The Core 7 also wins Passmark physics by 23.7% (1938 versus 1478), random string sorting by 28.3% (39643 versus 28438), and find prime numbers by 41.4% (140 versus 82).

Extended instructions show a 13.7% advantage for the Core 7 (16974 versus 14642). Passmark multithread records 30022 versus 21884, a 27.1% difference.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in their physical and platform specifications.

The Core 5 220H uses 12 cores and 16 threads. The Core 7 251TE doubles that to 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: the Core 5 runs at 2.70 GHz, while the Core 7 runs at 1.40 GHz. Boost clocks reverse this relationship, with the Core 5 reaching 4.90 GHz and the Core 7 reaching 5.40 GHz.

Both parts carry a 45 W TDP, but they mount on different sockets. The Core 5 220H uses Intel BGA 1744, which is a soldered mobile socket. The Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop LGA socket.

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. The Core 5 has 2 MB L2 per core and 18 MB shared L3. The Core 7 has 1.25 MB L2 per core but 36 MB shared L3, doubling the total L3 capacity.

Memory support is similar: both use DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. However, the Core 7 adds ECC memory support, which the Core 5 lacks. The Core 7 also lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Core 5 does not report a figure.

PCIe connectivity differs. The Core 5 provides Gen 5 with 8 CPU lanes. The Core 7 provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, doubling the available lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The Core 7 uses UHD Graphics 770.

Die size is reported only for the Core 7 at 215 mm². The production status for both is Active. The Core 5 launched on 2024-12-17, while the Core 7 launched on 2025-01-12. Launch MSRP for the Core 5 is $342. Launch MSRP for the Core 7 is $384.

Architecture Differences

The Core 5 220H belongs to the Raptor Lake family, specifically the Raptor Lake-H codename and the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation. Both are built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry.

The Core 5 220H is a mobile part, reflected in its BGA 1744 socket and its market segment classification. The Core 7 251TE is a desktop part, using Socket 1700 and carrying a desktop market segment label. This architectural split explains the different boost clock behavior: the Core 7 reaches 5.40 GHz despite a lower 1.40 GHz base clock, while the Core 5 pairs a 2.70 GHz base with a 4.90 GHz boost.

L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core for both. L2 cache differs: the Core 5 allocates 2 MB per core, while the Core 7 allocates 1.25 MB per core. The Core 7 compensates with a much larger 36 MB shared L3, double the Core 5's 18 MB.

Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but the Core 7 adds ECC capability, which matters for workstation or reliability-focused desktop builds. The Core 7 also delivers more PCIe Gen 5 lanes (16 versus 8), which supports more high-bandwidth expansion devices.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SRQ6SQ5MM for the Core 5 and SRQAXQ5ZG for the Core 7.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 251TE wins every single benchmark category. There are no workload types where the Core 5 220H takes a victory. The data shows a complete sweep, but the magnitude of the wins varies, which helps identify where the Core 7 is strongest.

The Core 7 excels most dramatically in heavily multi-threaded workloads. Its 56.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core indicates substantial headroom in rendering and content creation tasks that scale across cores. The 48.6% single-core advantage in the same test also shows superior per-thread performance despite the lower base clock.

Passmark integer math and floating point math show 41.5% and 39.6% leads respectively, meaning the Core 7 handles computational and scientific workloads with far more throughput. Prime number finding shows a 41.4% advantage, and data encryption shows 31.4%, both pointing to strong general compute capabilities.

The Core 7's smallest win is in Passmark single-thread at 4.6%. This indicates that in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks, the two processors are closer than the core count difference suggests. The Core 5's higher base clock of 2.70 GHz helps narrow the gap in these scenarios, though it still loses.

The Core 5 220H does have one structural advantage: its mobile platform. The BGA 1744 socket, mobile market segment, and 45 W TDP make it suitable for laptops and compact systems. The Core 7 251TE cannot serve that role because it is a desktop part.

For a desktop builder prioritizing raw performance, the Core 7 251TE is the only choice based on this data. For a mobile user who needs a 12-core processor with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, the Core 5 220H fills that specific niche. But in direct performance comparison, the Core 7 251TE is ahead in every measured test, with no benchmark where the Core 5 220H claims a win.