Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus Comparison
Intel Core 5 220H
Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The benchmark data presents a decisive outcome: the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 5 220H. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Ultra 7 scores 41913 against the Core 5's 11198, a delta of -73.3%. This is the most substantial gap in the entire dataset, underscoring the Ultra 7's dominance in heavily threaded workloads.
The single-core Cinebench results follow a similar pattern. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ultra 7 delivers 5917 points versus 1853 for the Core 5, a -68.7% difference. The older Cinebench R20 single-core test shows 2485 versus 1102, a -55.7% delta, while Cinebench R15 single-core shows 596 versus 262, a -56% gap. These consistent margins across Cinebench versions indicate that the Ultra 7's architectural advantage is not limited to multi-threading; its per-core performance is also substantially higher.
PassMark tests reinforce the same conclusion. The smallest relative gap is in PassMark single-thread, where the Ultra 7 scores 4764 against the Core 5's 3405, a -28.5% delta. This is the closest contest in the dataset, suggesting that while the Ultra 7 still leads in lightly threaded tasks, the difference is less extreme than in multi-core scenarios. PassMark integer math shows 122449 versus 73555, a -39.9% delta, which is the second-smallest margin.
The largest PassMark gap appears in find prime numbers, with the Ultra 7 scoring 482 versus 82, a -83% delta. This workload, which is sensitive to both core count and efficiency, highlights the extreme difference in computational throughput. PassMark floating-point math shows 163567 versus 51671, a -68.4% delta. Extended instructions show 39283 versus 14642, a -62.7% delta. Data encryption shows 37813 versus 15216, a -59.8% delta. Physics shows 3843 versus 1478, a -61.5% delta. Random string sorting shows 60020 versus 28438, a -52.6% delta. Data compression shows 493179 versus 247921, a -49.7% delta. Multithread shows 48270 versus 21884, a -54.7% delta.
Where Each One Wins
Given that the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins every benchmark in the database, the use-case split is unambiguous. The Ultra 7 is the stronger processor for all measured workloads. The data shows no category where the Intel Core 5 220H takes a single victory.
For multi-threaded productivity tasks such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and software compilation, the Ultra 7's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 41913 versus 11198 indicates a massive throughput advantage. The PassMark multithread score of 48270 versus 21884 confirms this in a different benchmark suite. The Ultra 7 also leads in memory-intensive operations like data compression (493179 versus 247921) and random string sorting (60020 versus 28438).
For single-threaded tasks such as web browsing, office applications, and lightly threaded legacy software, the Ultra 7 still leads, but by a smaller margin. PassMark single-thread shows 4764 versus 3405, a -28.5% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 5917 versus 1853, a -68.7% delta. This suggests that even in latency-sensitive workloads, the Ultra 7 maintains a clear performance edge.
For cryptographic workloads, the Ultra 7's data encryption score of 37813 versus 15216 represents a -59.8% delta, indicating substantially faster encryption and decryption throughput. For scientific computing and simulation, the floating-point math score of 163567 versus 51671 shows a -68.4% delta. The integer math score of 122449 versus 73555 shows a -39.9% delta, which is the second-smallest relative gap in the dataset, yet still a decisive win for the Ultra 7.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 61834, while the Intel Core 5 220H has an average score of 28574.
Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?
A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 7 scores 482 versus 82 for the Core 5, a delta of -83%.
Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?
A: The Ultra 7 leads in all single-thread tests. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 4764 versus 3405, a -28.5% delta. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 5917 versus 1853, a -68.7% delta.
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads.
Q: What are the boost clock speeds of each processor?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Intel Core 5 220H has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.
Q: Which processor has the higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus ranks in the 93rd percentile, while the Intel Core 5 220H ranks in the 80th percentile.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus uses 20 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 5 220H uses 12 cores and 16 threads. The Ultra 7 has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Core 5 has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The base clock is higher on the Core 5, but the boost clock is higher on the Ultra 7.
The thermal design power differs as well. The Ultra 7 has a TDP of 55 watts, while the Core 5 has a TDP of 45 watts. The socket types are different: the Ultra 7 uses Intel BGA 2114, while the Core 5 uses Intel BGA 1744.
Memory support differs. The Ultra 7 supports DDR5 only, while the Core 5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory, but the Ultra 7 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the Core 5 has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. Neither supports ECC memory.
PCIe lane counts differ. The Ultra 7 supports Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 supports Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ: the Ultra 7 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, while the Core 5 uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU.
The multiplier is unlocked on the Ultra 7, while it is locked on the Core 5. The release dates differ: the Ultra 7 was released on 2026-03-16, while the Core 5 was released on 2024-12-17. The Core 5 has a launch MSRP of $342; the Ultra 7 has no recorded launch MSRP.
Architecture Differences
The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is built on a 3 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. The Intel Core 5 220H is built on a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The Ultra 7 uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename and belongs to the Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake-HX) generation. The Core 5 uses the Raptor Lake-H codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation.
The Ultra 7 has a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm². The Core 5 has no recorded transistor count or die size. The cache hierarchy differs significantly. The Ultra 7 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache.
The part numbers differ: the Ultra 7 is listed as SADST, while the Core 5 is listed as SRQ6SQ5MM. The production status for both is Active. Both target the mobile market segment. The architecture field for the Ultra 7 is null in the database, while the Core 5 lists Raptor Lake as its architecture. The Ultra 7 belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, while the Core 5 has no series designation recorded.