Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a decisive outcome: the Intel Core 5 221E wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests against the Intel Core 5 330. The average benchmark score for the 221E is 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the 330 averages 18345, sitting in the 72nd percentile. The performance gap is substantial, with the 221E often doubling or tripling the 330's scores. The 221E's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (avg score 40081, delta 0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen 9 270 (avg score 40246, delta -0.3%), indicating it competes in a higher performance tier entirely. The 330's closest competitors are the Intel Core i3-14100 (avg score 18318, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i3-13100 (avg score 18380, delta -0.2%), placing it firmly in the entry-level desktop class. For users requiring maximum processing throughput, the 221E is the clear choice. The 330, despite its modern process node, does not deliver competitive performance against the 221E in any measured category. The data indicates the 330 is suited only for scenarios where its low power envelope and mobile form factor are the primary considerations, not raw performance.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core 5 221E is significantly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 25933 versus the 330's 13150, a 97.2% advantage. PassMark multithread shows 30510 for the 221E against 15471 for the 330, a 97.2% delta.

Q: Is the single-core performance difference also large?

A: Yes, but the gap is smaller in PassMark tests. The 221E scores 4147 in PassMark single-thread, only 1.4% ahead of the 330's 4088. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the 221E scores 3661 versus 1856, a 97.3% difference.

Q: Which processor has better memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E supports dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core 5 330 uses single-channel memory with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The database does not include graphics benchmark scores for either processor.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 has a TDP of 15 watts, versus 65 watts for the 221E. The 330's 3 nm process node compared to the 221E's 10 nm node suggests lower power consumption per operation, though no efficiency benchmarks are recorded.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The 221E supports ECC memory, while the 330 does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The Intel Core 5 221E is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture using Intel's 10 nm process node, with a die size of 257 mm². It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, targeting desktop systems. The Core 5 330 is the first of the Wildcat Lake generation, manufactured on a 3 nm process node by Intel, and uses the Intel BGA 1516 socket for mobile applications.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The 221E contains 14 cores with 20 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement of performance and efficiency cores. The 330 has just 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyper-threading support. Cache hierarchies also differ structurally. The 221E provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The 330 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The per-core L2 allocation favors the 330 on paper, but the total L3 capacity heavily favors the 221E.

Memory architecture separates the two further. The 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, delivering 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The 330 exclusively supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a single-channel setup, with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the 221E but not on the 330. PCIe capabilities also differ: the 221E offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the 330 provides Gen 4 with only 6 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the 221E using UHD Graphics 730 and the 330 using Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show clear divergences. The 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clock speeds are 2.70 GHz for the 221E versus 1.50 GHz for the 330. Boost clocks reach 5.20 GHz on the 221E and 4.60 GHz on the 330. Thermal design power is 65 watts versus 15 watts.

The process nodes differ, with the 221E on 10 nm and the 330 on 3 nm. Socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel BGA 1516. The 221E's die size is 257 mm², while the 330's die size is not recorded. Cache specifications diverge, with the 221E having 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3, while the 330 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: the 221E uses DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the 330 uses DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s. ECC support is present on the 221E but absent on the 330. PCIe generation and lane counts differ: Gen 5 with 16 lanes versus Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics differ between UHD Graphics 730 and Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). The 221E is a desktop segment part, while the 330 targets mobile. Release dates are 2025-01-12 for the 221E and 2026-04-15 for the 330. The launch MSRP for the 221E is $232, and for the 330 it is $309. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The 221E dominates every recorded test. The largest margin appears in PassMark integer math, where the 221E scores 117813 against the 330's 33258, a 254.2% advantage. This suggests a massive difference in integer processing capability, likely stemming from the higher core count and clock speeds. Data compression shows a 123.2% delta, with the 221E at 324285 versus 145287. Random string sorting also exceeds double, with the 221E at 37686 versus 17771, a 112.1% difference.

The Cinebench suite shows consistent 97% deltas across all versions. Cinebench R23 multi-core gives 25933 for the 221E and 13150 for the 330, a 97.2% delta. Single-core R23 shows 3661 versus 1856, a 97.3% delta. R20 multi-core is 10891 versus 5523, and R20 single-core is 1537 versus 779, both around 97%. R15 multi-core is 2613 versus 1325, and R15 single-core is 368 versus 186, with deltas of 97.2% and 97.8% respectively.

PassMark physics shows an 85.7% delta, with scores of 2230 and 1201. Floating point math gives a 80.1% delta, 79028 versus 43885. Data encryption shows a 73.4% delta, 19205 versus 11076. Find prime numbers has a 51.8% delta, 173 versus 114. Extended instructions show a 42.2% delta, 18216 versus 12808.

The narrowest margin is in PassMark single-thread performance, where the 221E scores 4147 and the 330 scores 4088, a mere 1.4% delta. This indicates that for lightly threaded workloads, the 330's modern architecture nearly matches the 221E's higher clock speed. However, this is the only test where the 330 comes close. The PassMark multithread score shows 30510 versus 15471, a 97.2% delta, reinforcing the multi-core gap.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins all 17 benchmark comparisons. Its strengths are most pronounced in integer math, where it more than triples the 330's score, and in data compression, where it more than doubles it. The 221E also delivers strong advantages in Cinebench multi-core tests, indicating it handles heavily threaded workloads such as video rendering, scientific computing, and compilation with far greater efficiency. The 97.2% delta in PassMark multithread confirms that applications using many threads will see near-double performance on the 221E.

The 330's relative strength appears only in PassMark single-thread tests, where it trails by just 1.4%. In this narrow scenario, the 330's 3 nm process and newer architecture nearly compensate for its lower boost clock. For single-threaded applications that rely on one or two cores, the 330 performs competitively. However, this advantage does not extend to Cinebench single-core tests, where the 221E leads by 97.3%. The reason for this discrepancy likely lies in the test methodologies, but the recorded data shows a clear split between the two single-thread measurements.

The 330's 15-watt TDP and mobile BGA socket make it suitable for fanless or battery-powered designs where power draw is the limiting factor. Its 3 nm process node and support for LPDDR5X memory indicate a focus on compact, low-power systems. The 221E, with its 65-watt TDP, desktop socket, and 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, is built for performance-oriented desktop workloads. The data shows no scenario where the 330 outperforms the 221E, so the choice between them depends on platform requirements rather than performance. The 221E addresses users needing maximum compute throughput, while the 330 serves mobile or low-power applications where the 221E's desktop form factor and power draw are unsuitable.