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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear overall winner: the Intel Core 5 221E claims 12 benchmark wins against 5 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T. The margin in several tests is substantial, particularly in integer-heavy workloads where the Core 5 221E scores 117813 against 59543, a 97.9% advantage in PassMark integer math. This is the single largest delta recorded between the two processors.

Cinebench results consistently favor the Core 5 221E across all six runs. Multi-core scores show an 18% gap in R15 (2613 vs 2214), R20 (10891 vs 9227), and R23 (25933 vs 21971). Single-core Cinebench follows the same pattern, with deltas of 17.9% in R15 (368 vs 312) and 18.1% in R23 (3661 vs 3101). The uniformity of these deltas suggests a consistent architectural advantage rather than workload-specific behavior.

PassMark multi-threaded testing reinforces the multi-core picture, with the Core 5 221E scoring 30510 versus 25358, a 20.3% lead. Data compression shows an even larger gap: 324285 against 233998, a 38.6% advantage. Random string sorting follows with a 31% delta (37686 vs 28774). Data encryption is closer, at 5% (19205 vs 18289), while physics simulation shows an 8.6% lead (2230 vs 2053) for the Core 5 221E.

The Core Ultra 5 225T wins the remaining five tests, but with smaller margins. PassMark single-thread scores favor it by 4.6% (4348 vs 4147). Floating point math shows a 4.5% advantage (82751 vs 79028). The two most notable wins for the Core Ultra 5 225T are in prime number finding, where it scores 284 versus 173, a 39.1% advantage, and extended instructions, where it scores 20083 versus 18216, a 9.3% lead.

The pattern is striking: the Core 5 221E dominates in multi-threaded, integer, and memory-related workloads, while the Core Ultra 5 225T excels in specialized instruction sets and single-thread efficiency. The prime number result is particularly revealing, as it often reflects differences in instruction-level parallelism and branch prediction.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, compared to 30468 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T. This places the Core 5 221E in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 5 225T sits in the 82nd percentile.

Q: How do the nearest rivals compare to each processor?

A: The Core 5 221E's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 270, which scores 40246, a 0.3% difference. The AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (40081) and AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (40048) are nearly identical, at 0.2% deltas. The Core Ultra 5 225T sits close to the Intel Core i5-13600H (30548, 0.3% difference) and the Intel Core i9-11980HK (30422, 0.2% difference).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark integer math, where the Core 5 221E leads by 97.9% (117813 vs 59543). The second largest is in data compression, at 38.6% (324285 vs 233998).

Q: Are there any tests where the Core Ultra 5 225T wins by a wide margin?

A: Yes, the Core Ultra 5 225T wins prime number finding by 39.1% (284 vs 173). It also leads extended instructions by 9.3% (20083 vs 18216), but its other wins are under 5%.

Q: How do the Cinebench scores compare across versions?

A: The Core 5 221E leads by 18% in R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 multi-core. Single-core deltas are 17.9% in R15, 18% in R20, and 18.1% in R23, all in favor of the Core 5 221E.

Q: What do the PassMark sub-scores reveal about workload suitability?

A: The Core 5 221E excels in data compression (324285), integer math (117813), and multithread (30510). The Core Ultra 5 225T leads in floating point (82751), extended instructions (20083), and single-thread (4348), indicating different optimization targets.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The Intel Core 5 221E uses Bartlett Lake, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arrow Lake-S, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm node with a die size of 243 mm². The Core Ultra 5 225T also lists a transistor count of 17,800 million, a figure not provided for the Core 5 221E.

Core configuration differs significantly. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. This means the Core 5 221E supports hyper-threading, while the Core Ultra 5 225T does not. Clock speeds also differ: the Core 5 221E has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to 2.50 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost for the Core Ultra 5 225T.

Cache hierarchies show distinct approaches. The Core 5 221E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 225T has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The per-core L1 and L2 allocations are larger on the Core Ultra 5 225T, but the total shared L3 is smaller.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 only. Memory bandwidth measurements show 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 221E and 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 5 225T. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5 221E but not on the Core Ultra 5 225T.

PCIe connectivity differs in lane count: the Core 5 221E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 225T provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU.

Socket compatibility separates the two entirely. The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses Intel Socket 1851. This means they are not interchangeable in existing motherboards.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core Ultra 5 225T |

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

| Cores | 14 | 10 |

| Threads | 20 | 10 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | Not listed |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

Both processors share a 65 W TDP, dual-channel memory bus, active production status, and a locked multiplier. Neither has a 3D V-Cache.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in scenarios that demand parallel throughput. Its 14 cores and 20 threads provide a clear advantage in Cinebench multi-core runs, PassMark multithread, data compression, and integer math. The 97.9% lead in integer math suggests strong performance for database operations, financial calculations, and scientific computing that rely on integer arithmetic. The 38.6% data compression advantage indicates suitability for archiving, backup software, and file server workloads. Random string sorting, a 31% lead, points to strength in data processing pipelines.

The Core Ultra 5 225T wins in specialized instruction workloads. Its 39.1% advantage in prime number finding suggests better branch prediction and instruction-level parallelism for recursive algorithms. The 9.3% lead in extended instructions implies better SIMD or specialized vector processing. Floating point math, where it leads by 4.5%, suggests an edge in graphics rendering, scientific simulations, and engineering applications that are float-heavy. Single-thread performance, a 4.6% advantage, benefits lightly threaded applications such as older games or legacy productivity software.

The Core 5 221E also wins physics simulation by 8.6% and data encryption by 5%, making it the better choice for security-related workloads and physics-based computing. Its overall average score of 40144 versus 30468 places it clearly higher in the aggregate performance ranking.

The Verdict

The data indicates a decisive overall winner in the Intel Core 5 221E. Its average benchmark score of 40144 exceeds the Core Ultra 5 225T's 30468 by roughly 32%. The Core 5 221E leads in 12 of 17 head-to-head tests, including all six Cinebench runs. Its 87th percentile ranking versus the 82nd percentile of the Core Ultra 5 225T confirms the aggregate advantage.

For workloads centered on multi-threading, integer math, or data compression, the Core 5 221E is the clear choice. Its 14 cores, 20 threads, and higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz deliver measurable benefits across Cinebench and PassMark multi-core tests. The 24 MB of shared L3 cache also supports its lead in memory-intensive operations.

The Core Ultra 5 225T appeals to a narrower profile. Its wins in prime number finding, extended instructions, floating point math, and single-thread tests indicate strength in specialized computational tasks. The 3 nm process node from TSMC and larger per-core L1 and L2 caches suggest architectural efficiency, but the benchmark data shows this efficiency does not translate to overall superiority. Its 82nd percentile ranking and lower average score confirm that it trails in general-purpose performance.

Socket compatibility is a decisive practical factor. The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 225T requires Intel Socket 1851. Anyone building on an existing platform should verify motherboard compatibility before choosing. The Core 5 221E also supports DDR4 in addition to DDR5, offering broader memory flexibility, while the Core Ultra 5 225T is DDR5-only.

ECC memory support on the Core 5 221E adds another advantage for reliability-sensitive deployments. The Core Ultra 5 225T lacks this feature. The integrated graphics differ, with UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 221E and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU on the Core Ultra 5 225T, but neither is positioned as a primary gaming solution.

The launch MSRP for the Core 5 221E is $232, while no launch price is recorded for the Core Ultra 5 225T. The benchmark data, however, does not rely on price to establish the performance hierarchy. The Core 5 221E delivers superior multi-core throughput, higher clock speeds, more threads, and a larger L3 cache, all reflected in its benchmark scores.

The Core Ultra 5 225T does offer more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16) and higher memory bandwidth (102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s), which could matter for specific I/O-bound configurations. Its smaller die size and advanced 3 nm process may also indicate better power efficiency per transistor, though TDP is identical at 65 W for both.

For general desktop computing, content creation with parallel rendering, or data-heavy workloads, the Core 5 221E is the stronger option based on recorded measurements. For niche applications that depend on floating point precision or extended instruction sets, the Core Ultra 5 225T holds a measured edge. The overall data clearly favors the Core 5 221E for most users.