Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core 5 221E records an average benchmark score of 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL records an average benchmark score of 13061, placing it in the 68th percentile. The Core 5 221E sits near the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (40081, 0.2% delta) and AMD Ryzen 9 270 (40246, -0.3% delta), while the Core Ultra 3 105UL sits near the Intel Core i5-9400F (13041, 0.2% delta) and Intel Core i7-7700K (13291, -1.7% delta).

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E wins all single-thread tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core it scores 3661 versus 1234, a 196.7% advantage. In PassMark single-thread it scores 4147 versus 3382, a 22.6% advantage. The Cinebench gap is far larger than the PassMark gap, indicating the Core 5 221E excels in rendering-style single-thread workloads.

Q: What is the multithreaded performance difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E leads by approximately 196.6% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 5 221E scores 25933 versus 8742. PassMark multithread shows a 196.6% delta as well, with scores of 30510 versus 10285.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 221E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL does not. Both use dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, but the Core 5 221E supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5 with capacity depending on the motherboard.

Q: What are the socket and PCIe differences?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700 with PCIe Gen 5 and 16 CPU lanes. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL uses Intel Socket 1851 with PCIe Gen 4 and 8 CPU lanes. These are not cross-compatible platforms.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock and TDP?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz with a 65 W TDP. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL boosts to 4.20 GHz with a 15 W TDP. The Core 5 221E also has a higher base clock at 2.70 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 221E is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, produced on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². It belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation and shipped on 2025-01-12. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS codename, produced on Intel's 7 nm process with no die size recorded. It belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1 generation and shipped on 2024-04-07.

Core configuration differs sharply. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads. The Core 5 221E therefore has 6 more cores and 10 more threads. Cache layout also diverges. The Core 5 221E uses 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 3 105UL uses 112 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with only 10 MB of shared L3. The Core 5 221E has 14 MB more L3 cache, which benefits workloads that repeatedly access a large working set.

Memory support differs. The Core 5 221E supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5 with motherboard-dependent capacity. Both run dual-channel with 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. ECC memory is available on the Core 5 221E but not on the Core Ultra 3 105UL.

PCIe connectivity differs substantially. The Core 5 221E provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. This gives the Core 5 221E both a newer PCIe generation and double the lane count for expansion devices.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL uses Arc Xe-LPG 48EU. The Core Ultra 3 105UL has the more modern graphics architecture, but the database records no graphics benchmarks for either part.

Both processors are locked (multiplier unlocked: false) and both are marked as Active in production. The Core 5 221E has part number SRQDVQ659, and the Core Ultra 3 105UL has part number SRN9D. The Core 5 221E launched with an MSRP of $232, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL launched with an MSRP of $295.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221E wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with zero wins for the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL. The margin varies widely by workload type.

In Cinebench rendering tests, the Core 5 221E is consistently about 196.6% ahead. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 2613 versus 881, a 196.6% delta. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 10891 versus 3671, a 196.7% delta. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 25933 versus 8742, a 196.6% delta. Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern: R15 single-core 368 versus 124 (196.8%), R20 single-core 1537 versus 518 (196.7%), and R23 single-core 3661 versus 1234 (196.7%). This uniformity suggests the performance ratio is driven by the combined effects of core count, thread count, and clock speed rather than any single workload characteristic.

PassMark integer math shows 117813 versus 41171, a 186.2% advantage. Floating-point math shows 79028 versus 30750, a 157% advantage. The floating-point margin is the smallest among PassMark compute tests, but it is still a decisive lead. Extended instructions show 18216 versus 5634, a 223.3% advantage. The largest compute delta appears in find prime numbers, where the Core 5 221E scores 173 versus 44, a 293.2% advantage. That workload is highly sensitive to core count and clock speed, both of which favor the Core 5 221E.

Data compression shows 324285 versus 93961, a 245.1% delta. Random string sorting shows 37686 versus 11179, a 237.1% delta. Data encryption shows 19205 versus 6354, a 202.3% delta. These memory-and-cache-heavy workloads benefit from the Core 5 221E's larger 24 MB L3 cache and higher clock rates.

Physics simulation in PassMark shows 2230 versus 718, a 210.6% delta. PassMark multithread shows 30510 versus 10285, a 196.6% delta. The smallest recorded gap is in PassMark single-thread, where the Core 5 221E scores 4147 versus 3382, a 22.6% delta. This is the only head-to-head result below 100%, confirming that the Core 5 221E's single-thread advantage exists but is modest compared to its multithreaded dominance.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall pattern. The Core 5 221E averages 40144, which is 3.07 times the Core Ultra 3 105UL's average of 13061. The Core 5 221E's nearest rivals by average score are the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (40081, 0.2% delta), AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (40048, 0.2% delta), AMD Ryzen 9 270 (40246, -0.3% delta), and Intel Core i9-13905H (40313, -0.4% delta). The Core Ultra 3 105UL's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-9400F (13041, 0.2% delta), Intel Core i7-10750H (13024, 0.3% delta), Intel Core i5-8500 (13142, -0.6% delta), and Intel Core i7-7700K (13291, -1.7% delta). The Core Ultra 3 105UL performs at the level of older desktop and mobile mid-range parts, while the Core 5 221E performs at the level of recent high-end desktop parts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 10 |

| Base clock | 2.70 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Bartlett Lake | Meteor Lake |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Meteor Lake-PS |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Ultra 3 (Meteor Lake-PS) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Die size | 257 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 24 MB (shared) | 10 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, depends on motherboard |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG 48EU |

| Release date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-04-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $295 |

| Part number | SRQDVQ659 | SRN9D |

Both processors use dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, both have 2 MB of L2 per core, both are locked, and both target the desktop market segment. The Core 5 221E has a later release date by roughly nine months. The Core 5 221E also has a lower launch MSRP despite offering substantially more cores, threads, cache, and PCIe bandwidth.

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a one-sided comparison. The Intel Core 5 221E wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks and holds a 196.6% or greater advantage in every Cinebench test, every PassMark compute test, and most PassMark utility tests. Its average benchmark score of 40144 places it in the 87th percentile, with nearest rivals in the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and Ryzen 9 270 class. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL averages 13061 and sits in the 68th percentile, with nearest rivals in the Intel Core i5-9400F and Core i7-7700K class. These are different performance tiers entirely.

The Core 5 221E is the choice for workloads that scale with core count, thread count, cache size, and clock speed. Its 14 cores and 20 threads, 24 MB L3 cache, and 5.20 GHz boost clock produce a 196.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and a 293.2% lead in prime-number finding. Its PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes also supports faster expansion devices than the Core Ultra 3 105UL's PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes. ECC memory support further positions it for reliability-sensitive desktop use.

The Core Ultra 3 105UL is the choice only when its 15 W TDP is the governing constraint. It consumes 50 W less than the Core 5 221E, which matters for thermally limited or low-power desktop builds. It also uses the newer 7 nm process node, which contributes to that lower power envelope. Its Arc Xe-LPG 48EU integrated graphics represents a more modern graphics architecture than the UHD Graphics 730, though no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-8500 and Core i7-7700K, which indicates its expected performance class.

The data does not support selecting the Core Ultra 3 105UL on raw performance grounds. It trails in every recorded test, often by margins exceeding 200%. Its only recorded advantages are architectural: lower TDP, newer process node, and a different integrated graphics block. For users who prioritize compute throughput, the Core 5 221E is the clear choice. For users who prioritize power efficiency above all else, the Core Ultra 3 105UL offers a functional desktop processor at a fraction of the power draw, but with a launch MSRP of $295 that is higher than the Core 5 221E's $232.