Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235T Comparison
Intel Core 5 221E
Core Ultra 5 235T
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235T
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark split between the Intel Core 5 221E and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T is largely defined by workload type. The Core Ultra 5 235T wins 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Core 5 221E takes 4. The Core Ultra 5 235T dominates in rendering, encryption, extended instruction workloads, prime number finding, floating-point math, and single-threaded tasks. The Core 5 221E counters with decisive wins in data compression, integer math, physics, and random string sorting.
For multi-threaded rendering, the Core Ultra 5 235T holds a narrow but consistent edge across all three Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 26232 against 25933, a 1.1% advantage. The single-core results follow the same pattern, with the Core Ultra 5 235T posting 3703 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 3661 for the Core 5 221E, also a 1.1% gap. These are small margins, but they repeat across R15, R20, and R23, indicating a steady architectural advantage in CPU-bound rendering tasks.
The Core Ultra 5 235T shows much larger leads in specialized computational workloads. In PassMark data encryption, it scores 23457 against 19205, a 18.1% advantage. Extended instructions show a 21.5% lead (23212 versus 18216). Floating-point math delivers a 25.8% edge (106546 versus 79028). The largest single gap appears in find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 235T scores 318 versus 173, a 45.6% difference. These results point to a processor with significantly stronger per-core execution capabilities, particularly for math-intensive and cryptographic tasks.
The Core 5 221E wins where thread count and raw integer throughput matter more than per-core efficiency. In PassMark integer math, it scores 117813 versus 84244, a 39.8% lead. Data compression shows a 9.9% advantage (324285 versus 295100). Random string sorting adds a 6.5% win (37686 versus 35377), and physics delivers a 3.4% edge (2230 versus 2157). The Core 5 221E has 20 threads versus 14 for the Core Ultra 5 235T, and that extra thread count appears to drive these wins in heavily parallel integer workloads.
Overall average benchmark scores place the Core 5 221E at 40144 and the Core Ultra 5 235T at 38561. The Core 5 221E sits at the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core Ultra 5 235T sits at the 86th. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 221E include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (average score 40081, delta 0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen 9 270 (average score 40246, delta -0.3%). The Core Ultra 5 235T sits closest to the Intel Core i5-14500 (average score 38531, delta 0.1%).
The Verdict
The data indicates two distinct use cases. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T is the better choice for users who run a broad mix of modern workloads, including rendering, encryption, scientific computing, and single-threaded applications. Its consistent wins across Cinebench and PassMark specialized tests, combined with a 4.4% lead in PassMark single-thread (4339 versus 4147), make it the more versatile processor for general desktop work.
The Intel Core 5 221E is the pick for workloads that scale with thread count and favor integer-heavy parallel execution. Its 39.8% lead in integer math and 9.9% lead in data compression are substantial. Users who routinely compress large datasets, run physics simulations, or process integer-heavy code will see measurable benefits from the 221E's 20 threads.
The Core Ultra 5 235T also carries architectural advantages that go beyond raw scores. It uses a 3 nm process from TSMC with 17,800 million transistors, while the Core 5 221E uses Intel's 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 235T supports DDR5 memory with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 221E, and it offers 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes against 16. The Core 5 221E counters with ECC memory support and a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 5.00 GHz.
Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both carry a 65 W TDP. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 221E is $232, and the launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 235T is $247. The Core Ultra 5 235T costs more but delivers a broader set of wins. The Core 5 221E costs less and wins specifically where thread count and integer throughput dominate.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Cinebench results are close across the board. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 235T scores 2644 versus 2613, a 1.2% win. Single-core in R15 shows 373 versus 368, a 1.3% lead. R20 multi-core gives 11017 versus 10891, a 1.1% gap, and R20 single-core gives 1555 versus 1537, also 1.2%. R23 multi-core delivers 26232 versus 25933, a 1.1% edge, and R23 single-core delivers 3703 versus 3661, again 1.1%. The margins are consistent, never exceeding 1.3%, which suggests the Core Ultra 5 235T does not fundamentally outclass the Core 5 221E in rendering but maintains a small structural advantage.
The PassMark multi-thread test shows a similar pattern. The Core Ultra 5 235T scores 30918 versus 30510, a 1.3% win. PassMark single-thread gives the Core Ultra 5 235T a 4339 score against 4147, a 4.4% lead. This is the largest single-threaded gap in the entire comparison and indicates better per-core performance from the Arrow Lake architecture.
The specialized PassMark tests reveal where the two processors diverge sharply. In integer math, the Core 5 221E scores 117813, which is 39.8% ahead of the Core Ultra 5 235T's 84244. This is the single largest delta in either direction. Data compression gives the Core 5 221E a 324285 score versus 295100, a 9.9% lead. Random string sorting shows 37686 versus 35377, a 6.5% advantage, and physics shows 2230 versus 2157, a 3.4% edge.
The Core Ultra 5 235T dominates the remaining specialized tests. Floating-point math shows 106546 versus 79028, a 25.8% lead. Extended instructions deliver 23212 versus 18216, a 21.5% advantage. Data encryption gives 23457 versus 19205, an 18.1% gap. Find prime numbers shows the largest relative difference at 318 versus 173, a 45.6% lead. These are not marginal differences; they represent fundamentally different execution characteristics between the two designs.
FAQ
Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T wins 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core 5 221E wins 4.
Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?
A: The Core Ultra 5 235T scores 26232, and the Core 5 221E scores 25933. The Core Ultra 5 235T leads by 1.1%.
Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?
A: The Core Ultra 5 235T leads in PassMark single-thread with 4339 versus 4147, a 4.4% advantage. It also wins all three Cinebench single-core tests by margins of 1.1% to 1.3%.
Q: Where does the Core 5 221E have its largest advantage?
A: The Core 5 221E leads by 39.8% in PassMark integer math (117813 versus 84244) and by 9.9% in data compression (324285 versus 295100).
Q: Where does the Core Ultra 5 235E have its largest advantage?
A: The Core Ultra 5 235T leads by 45.6% in PassMark find prime numbers (318 versus 173), 25.8% in floating-point math (106546 versus 79028), and 21.5% in extended instructions (23212 versus 18216).
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: No. The Intel Core 5 221E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T does not.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename with a 10 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T uses the Arrow Lake-S codename with a 3 nm process node, fabricated by TSMC. The Core Ultra 5 235T contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 5 221E has a 257 mm² die with no transistor count recorded in the database.
Core and thread counts differ. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Core Ultra 5 235T also has 14 cores but only 14 threads, which means it lacks simultaneous multi-threading. This thread count difference directly explains the Core 5 221E's wins in integer-heavy parallel workloads.
Cache hierarchies differ per core. The Core 5 221E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The Core Ultra 5 235T has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core. Both share 24 MB of L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 5 235T likely contribute to its stronger single-thread and floating-point results.
Integrated graphics differ. The Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 235T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU. The Core Ultra 5 235T also uses the Intel Socket 1851, while the Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The Core 5 221E has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 235T has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Core 5 221E posts the higher clocks.
Memory support differs. The Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 235T supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but memory bandwidth differs: 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 221E versus 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 5 235T.
PCIe lane counts differ. The Core 5 221E offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 235T offers 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. ECC memory support exists on the Core 5 221E but not on the Core Ultra 5 235T. Both processors have a 65 W TDP, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both are active production parts. The Core 5 221E has a launch MSRP of $232, and the Core Ultra 5 235T has a launch MSRP of $247. Release dates differ by six days, with the Core Ultra 5 235T releasing on 2025-01-06 and the Core 5 221E on 2025-01-12. The part numbers are SRQDVQ659 for the Core 5 221E and SRQES for the Core Ultra 5 235T.