Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

The Intel Core 5 221E and Intel Core Ultra 5 225 are both desktop processors from Intel, yet they present two very different design philosophies. The 221E relies on a high core count and high boost clock, while the 225 focuses on a smaller, newer process node with a lower power envelope. Head-to-head benchmark data reveals a split personality: the 221E dominates in raw multi-threaded throughput and integer workloads, while the 225 counters with decisive wins in encryption, floating-point math, and single-threaded tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the database is the divergence in Cinebench R20 scores. The Intel Core 5 221E scores 10891 in multi-core, which is 72.4% ahead of the 6317 posted by the Core Ultra 5 225. This is the largest margin in the entire comparison. Similarly, in Cinebench R20 single-core, the 221E scores 1537 versus 891 for the 225, a 72.5% advantage. These are outlier results, as other Cinebench versions show a much tighter race. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 221E wins by just 0.2% (2613 vs 2609), and in R15 single-core, both are tied at exactly 368. In Cinebench R23, the 221E again wins by 0.2% in both multi-core (25933 vs 25891) and single-core (3661 vs 3655). The R20 data suggests a possible measurement anomaly or a workload-specific advantage for the 221E, but the consistent, albeit narrow, wins in R15 and R23 indicate a genuine edge in sustained rendering performance.

The Passmark suite reveals where each processor excels. The 221E wins 10 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. Its largest victory is in Passmark integer math, where it scores 117813, an 80.3% lead over the 225's 65345. It also wins in data compression (324285 vs 302811, a 7.1% lead), multithread (30510 vs 30459, a 0.2% lead), and random string sorting (37686 vs 36590, a 3% lead). The 221E's 14 cores and 20 threads clearly provide a substantial advantage in workloads that scale with parallel integer operations.

The Core Ultra 5 225 counters in 7 tests, with several commanding margins. Its most significant win is in Passmark find prime numbers, where it scores 358 versus 173 for the 221E, a 51.7% advantage. This is followed by Passmark extended instructions, where the 225 scores 27162, a 32.9% lead over the 221E's 18216. The 225 also wins in floating point math (92038 vs 79028, a 14.1% lead), data encryption (22285 vs 19205, a 13.8% lead), and physics (2342 vs 2230, a 4.8% lead). In Passmark single-thread, the 225 scores 4412, which is 6% higher than the 221E's 4147. These results indicate that the 225's architecture, despite having fewer cores, is more efficient per thread and significantly stronger in specialized instruction sets and cryptographic tasks.

The overall average benchmark score reflects this split. The 221E has an average score of 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (40081, 0.2% slower) and the AMD Ryzen 9 270 (40246, 0.3% faster). The 225 has an average score of 36938, placing it in the 85th percentile. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F (36945, 0% difference) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (37018, 0.2% faster). This shows the 221E competes with higher-tier Ryzen 7 parts, while the 225 sits in the company of mid-range Ryzen 5 processors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-threaded performance according to the data?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins in Passmark single-thread with a score of 4412, which is 6% higher than the Intel Core 5 221E's score of 4147. However, in Cinebench R15 single-core, both processors are tied at 368, and in R20 and R23, the 221E holds a narrow lead of 72.5% and 0.2% respectively.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded Cinebench workloads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E wins all three recorded Cinebench multi-core tests. In R15, it scores 2613 versus 2609 (0.2% lead), in R20 it scores 10891 versus 6317 (72.4% lead), and in R23 it scores 25933 versus 25891 (0.2% lead).

Q: In which specific Passmark tests does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 show the largest advantages?

A: The 225 shows its biggest wins in Passmark find prime numbers (358 vs 173, a 51.7% lead) and Passmark extended instructions (27162 vs 18216, a 32.9% lead). It also has a 14.1% lead in floating point math and a 13.8% lead in data encryption.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores and percentile rankings?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144 and sits in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has an average score of 36938 and sits in the 85th percentile.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock, and what are the respective values?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s but only supports DDR5 memory.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core 5 221E is the better choice for users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput and high-frequency integer operations. Its 80.3% lead in Passmark integer math and consistent, albeit small, wins in Cinebench R15 and R23 multi-core make it the stronger processor for rendering, compilation, and general parallel workloads. Its average score of 40144 places it in a competitive tier with the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, a clear step above the 225's rivals.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is the superior choice for workloads that are sensitive to single-thread performance and specialized instruction sets. Its 6% lead in Passmark single-thread, combined with decisive wins in encryption (13.8%), extended instructions (32.9%), and prime number finding (51.7%), makes it the better option for cryptography, scientific calculations, and any application that leverages advanced SIMD instructions. Its lower core count and threads (10 vs 14) do not hinder it in these specific tasks, showing that architectural efficiency can offset core count disadvantages.

Users who need maximum multi-core performance for content creation or heavy multitasking should select the 221E. Users who run a mix of single-threaded applications and specialized, instruction-heavy workloads will find the 225 to be the more efficient performer. The 225 also has a higher memory bandwidth (102.4 GB/s vs 89.6 GB/s), which could benefit memory-intensive tasks.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their physical specifications. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 uses the newer Intel Socket 1851. The 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, compared to the 225's 10 cores and 10 threads. The 221E has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the 225 has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Both have a TDP of 65.

The 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 225 only supports DDR5. Their memory bandwidths also differ, with the 221E at 89.6 GB/s and the 225 at 102.4 GB/s. The 221E supports ECC memory, which the 225 does not. The 221E has 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the 225 has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ: the 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the 225 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The 221E has a launch MSRP of $232, and the 225 has a launch MSRP of $246.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is significant. The Intel Core 5 221E is built on a 10 nm process node by Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is built on a 3 nm process node by TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. The 225's smaller and more advanced process node is a key factor in its higher efficiency per core.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The 221E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The 225 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The 225's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches likely contribute to its superior single-threaded performance in Passmark tests.

The codenames reflect different design lineages. The 221E is codenamed Bartlett Lake, belonging to the Core 5 generation. The 225 is codenamed Arrow Lake-S, belonging to the Core Ultra Series 2. The 225's architecture, named Arrow Lake, represents a newer design with a different core topology. The 221E's higher core count and thread count (14/20) versus the 225's lower count (10/10) suggests the 221E uses a hybrid or multi-threaded core arrangement, while the 225 appears to rely on fewer, more powerful cores without hyper-threading.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in scenarios that demand maximum parallel processing. Its 14 cores and 20 threads directly translate to wins in Cinebench multi-core tests and Passmark multithread. The 80.3% lead in integer math makes it the clear choice for software compilation, data analysis, and spreadsheet-heavy workloads. It also wins in data compression (7.1% lead), which benefits file archiving and backup tasks. Its support for ECC memory makes it viable for error-sensitive computing environments.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins in tasks that require efficient execution per clock cycle. Its 6% lead in Passmark single-thread indicates faster response in everyday applications and lightly-threaded games. The 51.7% lead in prime number finding and 32.9% lead in extended instructions point to a strong advantage in scientific computing, cryptography, and simulation workloads. Its 14.1% lead in floating point math makes it better for 3D rendering calculations and audio processing. The 13.8% lead in data encryption is a clear win for secure communication and database security tasks. Also, its higher memory bandwidth (102.4 GB/s) gives it an edge in memory-intensive applications that require fast data access.