Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL Comparison

The Verdict

The database comparison places the Intel Core 5 221E and Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL in different performance tiers. The Core 5 221E holds an 87th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL sits at the 50th percentile. The Core 5 221E delivers substantially higher benchmark scores across every recorded test, with its average benchmark score of 40144 standing in contrast to the Core Ultra 5 125UL, which has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. The Core 5 221E is the choice for workloads demanding compute throughput, given its higher core count, faster clock speeds, and larger shared cache. The Core Ultra 5 125UL, with its 15 W TDP and integrated Arc graphics, targets low-power deployments where energy efficiency takes priority over raw performance. The data shows no overlap in their intended roles: the Core 5 221E leads in processing capability, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL leads in power economy.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The Core Ultra 5 125UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture with the Meteor Lake-PS codename, placing it in the Core Ultra Series 1 generation. The manufacturing process differs as well: the Core 5 221E is built on a 10 nm node, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL uses a 7 nm node. Both are fabricated by Intel.

The physical packages differ in socket compatibility. The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL uses Intel Socket 1851. The Core 5 221E has a die size of 257 mm², whereas the Core Ultra 5 125UL has no recorded die size. The Core 5 221E has a part number of SRQDVQ659, and the Core Ultra 5 125UL has a part number of SRN96.

Cache hierarchies reveal a significant architectural split. The Core 5 221E provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 125UL provides 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and only 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 221E therefore carries twice the shared L3 capacity, which benefits multi-threaded workloads that repeatedly access shared data.

Memory and I/O capabilities also diverge. The Core 5 221E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL supports DDR5 with capacity depending on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses with identical 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Core 5 221E supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Core Ultra 5 125UL. PCIe connectivity differs: the Core 5 221E offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 125UL offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics present another architectural distinction. The Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL uses Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. The Arc solution represents a newer graphics architecture, but the database records no graphics benchmarks for either processor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark section in the database contains no entries, and the Core Ultra 5 125UL has zero recorded benchmark scores. Consequently, direct numeric comparisons between the two processors are not possible from the recorded data. The Core 5 221E, however, has an extensive benchmark record that establishes its performance profile.

In Cinebench tests, the Core 5 221E scores 2613 in R15 multi-core and 368 in R15 single-core. In R20, it scores 10891 multi-core and 1537 single-core. In R23, the scores reach 25933 multi-core and 3661 single-core. These results show a processor that scales well with thread count, as the multi-core scores are roughly seven to eight times larger than the single-core scores.

PassMark tests provide additional detail. The Core 5 221E scores 324285 in data compression, 19205 in data encryption, and 18216 in extended instructions. Integer math scores 117813, floating point math scores 79028, and find prime numbers scores 173. The multithread score is 30510, physics scores 2230, and random string sorting scores 37686. The single-thread score is 4147.

The nearest rivals for the Core 5 221E, based on average benchmark score, are all AMD or Intel mobile or desktop parts. The AMD Ryzen 7 7700 has an average score of 40081, which is 0.2% lower than the Core 5 221E's 40144. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 also scores 40048, another 0.2% gap. The AMD Ryzen 9 270 scores 40246, which is 0.3% higher than the Core 5 221E. The Intel Core i9-13905H scores 40313, 0.4% higher. These delta values indicate that the Core 5 221E performs within a narrow band around these four rivals, with no rival exceeding a 0.4% difference.

The Core Ultra 5 125UL has no nearest rivals listed and no average benchmark score, which places it outside direct comparison in the database. The 50th percentile ranking suggests it sits at the median of all CPUs, but without benchmark values, the data cannot quantify its standing relative to the Core 5 221E.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. The Core 5 221E carries a 6-core and 6-thread advantage, which directly explains its higher multi-threaded benchmark results.

Clock speeds favor the Core 5 221E decisively. Its base clock is 2.70 GHz against 1.30 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 125UL, and its boost clock is 5.20 GHz against 4.30 GHz. The Core 5 221E runs at more than double the base clock and nearly 1 GHz higher boost clock.

Power consumption shows the opposite relationship. The Core 5 221E has a 65 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL has a 15 W TDP. The Core Ultra 5 125UL consumes less than a quarter of the power envelope, confirming its low-power positioning. The Core 5 221E trades power for performance, as its higher clocks and core count require a larger thermal budget.

Release dates differ by roughly nine months. The Core Ultra 5 125UL was released on 2024-04-07, while the Core 5 221E was released on 2025-01-12. The Core 5 221E is the newer part.

The launch MSRP for the Core 5 221E is $232, and the launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 125UL is $309. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning neither supports unlocked overclocking. Both are classified as Desktop market segment and both have Active production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. The Core 5 221E provides 2 additional cores and 6 additional threads.

Q: How do the clock speeds compare between the two processors?

A: The Core 5 221E has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 125UL has a base clock of 1.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Core 5 221E operates at a higher frequency at both idle and under load.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Core 5 221E has a TDP of 65 W. The Core Ultra 5 125UL has a TDP of 15 W. The Core Ultra 5 125UL requires significantly less power, making it suitable for thermally constrained systems.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Core 5 221E supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 125UL does not support ECC memory. This makes the Core 5 221E suitable for error-correcting memory configurations.

Q: How does the cache configuration differ?

A: The Core 5 221E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 125UL has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 221E has twice the shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities of each processor?

A: The Core 5 221E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core Ultra 5 125UL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 221E offers a newer PCIe generation and double the lane count.

Q: Which processor has a higher benchmark percentile ranking?

A: The Core 5 221E ranks in the 87th percentile among all CPUs. The Core Ultra 5 125UL ranks in the 50th percentile. The Core 5 221E sits well above the median, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL sits exactly at the median.