Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core 7 251E Comparison

Intel Core 5 221E and Intel Core 7 251E are both Bartlett Lake desktop processors for Intel Socket 1700, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a 65 TDP and a 257 mm² die. Both were released on 2025-01-12, support dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory, deliver 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, include ECC memory support, and expose PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The decisive difference in the database is measurement coverage: the Core 5 221E has a full set of benchmark scores, while the Core 7 251E has no benchmark scores at all. Consequently, the Core 5 221E can be judged from measured results, whereas the Core 7 251E can only be assessed from its specification sheet.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries pairing the Core 5 221E with the Core 7 251E, and the recorded win counters are 0 for both processors. That absence is not symmetrical: the 221E has a populated benchmark record, while the 251E's benchmark record is empty. Because no paired entries exist, no per-workload win or loss can be calculated for this specific pairing.

The Core 5 221E's measured results are extensive. In Cinebench R15, it scores 2613 multi-core and 368 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 10891 multi-core and 1537 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 25933 multi-core and 3661 single-core. These Cinebench numbers show a processor with strong multi-threaded throughput and solid single-thread performance for a 65 TDP desktop part.

Passmark results for the 221E include data compression 324285, data encryption 19205, extended instructions 18216, find prime numbers 173, floating point math 79028, integer math 117813, multithread 30510, physics 2230, random string sorting 37686, and single-thread 4147. The integer and floating point math scores are particularly high, while the find prime numbers score is much lower, indicating that the 221E's measured strengths are not uniform across all Passmark subtests.

The 221E's average benchmark score is 40144, placing it at the 87th percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database are tightly grouped around that average. The AMD Ryzen 7 7700 averages 40081, 0.2% behind the 221E. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 averages 40048, also 0.2% behind. The AMD Ryzen 9 270 averages 40246, 0.3% ahead. The Intel Core i9-13905H averages 40313, 0.4% ahead. These margins are narrow, so the 221E sits in a competitive cluster rather than as an isolated leader.

The Core 7 251E has no average benchmark score, as its recorded average is 0, and no nearest rivals are listed. There is therefore no measured context for the 251E against the 221E or against any other CPU in the database.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the Core 5 221E is the only processor in this comparison with verified benchmark performance. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25933, single-core score of 3661, and average benchmark score of 40144 give it a concrete measured profile. The Core 7 251E has no recorded benchmark scores, so the database cannot confirm any performance advantage for it.

The 251E does list a larger configuration: 24 cores, 32 threads, 36 MB shared L3 cache, a boost clock of 5.60, and UHD Graphics 770. The 221E lists 14 cores, 20 threads, 24 MB shared L3 cache, a boost clock of 5.20, and UHD Graphics 730. These are specification differences, not measured outcomes. For a benchmark-driven selection, the 221E is the only part with evidence. The 251E cannot be selected on the basis of measured performance because no measured performance exists in the database.

FAQ

Q: Does the Core 7 251E have any recorded benchmark scores?

A: No. The database lists an empty benchmark record for the Core 7 251E, and its average benchmark score is 0.

Q: What is the Core 5 221E's average benchmark score and percentile?

A: Its average benchmark score is 40144, which places it at the 87th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How close are the Core 5 221E's nearest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 7700 averages 40081, 0.2% behind the 221E. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 averages 40048, 0.2% behind. The AMD Ryzen 9 270 averages 40246, 0.3% ahead. The Intel Core i9-13905H averages 40313, 0.4% ahead.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both list ECC memory support, dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory, and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Q: What are the Cinebench R23 scores for the Core 5 221E?

A: Multi-core 25933 and single-core 3661. The Core 7 251E has no Cinebench R23 scores in the database.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors. All other recorded fields match.

• Cores: 14 vs 24
• Threads: 20 vs 32
• Base clock: 2.70 vs 2.10
• Boost clock: 5.20 vs 5.60
• L3 cache: 24 MB shared vs 36 MB shared
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 vs UHD Graphics 770
• Launch MSRP: $232 vs $384
• Part number: SRQDVQ659 vs SRQDUQ657
• Average benchmark score: 40144 vs 0
• Percentile vs all CPUs: 87 vs 50
• Benchmark records: populated vs empty
• Nearest rivals: four entries vs none

Architecture Differences

Both processors use the Bartlett Lake codename and Intel's 10 nm process, with Intel as the foundry and a 257 mm² die. The architecture-level differences are core count, thread count, L3 cache size, and integrated graphics unit.

The Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, against 14 cores and 20 threads for the Core 5 221E. The 251E's shared L3 cache is 36 MB, while the 221E has 24 MB. The 221E has a higher base clock at 2.70 versus 2.10, but the 251E has a higher boost clock at 5.60 versus 5.20. L1 cache is 80 KB per core and L2 cache is 2 MB per core on both.

Both CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both support ECC memory and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 on the 251E and UHD Graphics 730 on the 221E. The database does not record a separate architecture name for either CPU beyond the Bartlett Lake codename.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on benchmark results, the Core 5 221E is the only processor with scores in any workload category. The Core 7 251E has no benchmark entries, so it cannot be assigned a win in any measured category.

The 221E's measured results cover Cinebench R15 multi-core 2613 and single-core 368, Cinebench R20 multi-core 10891 and single-core 1537, Cinebench R23 multi-core 25933 and single-core 3661, and Passmark data compression 324285, data encryption 19205, extended instructions 18216, find prime numbers 173, floating point math 79028, integer math 117813, multithread 30510, physics 2230, random string sorting 37686, and single-thread 4147.

The formal head-to-head win counters remain 0 for both because no paired benchmark entries exist, but in the available standalone records, the 221E occupies every scored category. The 251E's specification advantages in core count, thread count, L3 cache, boost clock, and integrated graphics point to potential strengths, but the database contains no benchmark data to confirm any of those strengths.