Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX Comparison

Intel Core 5 221E and Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX are two 14-core processors from Intel, but they target different platforms and use different underlying designs. The Core 5 221E is a desktop part built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX is a mobile processor using Arrow Lake-HX. Both were released on the same date, yet the benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy between them.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning 16 of the 17 recorded benchmarks. Its wins span every Cinebench iteration, including multicore and singlecore tests, and the majority of PassMark workloads. The Core 5 221E secures exactly one victory, in the PassMark integer math test, where it posts a score of 117813 against 92150 for the Ultra 5 245HX, a margin of 27.8 percent.

The distribution of wins indicates that the Ultra 5 245HX is the stronger choice for almost all compute-intensive tasks. The Cinebench suite, which measures rendering performance, shows a consistent advantage for the mobile chip. Its PassMark multithread score of 38069 also leads the desktop chip's 30510, a 19.9 percent gap. The only area where the Core 5 221E pulls ahead is integer-heavy calculations, which may reflect differences in thread scheduling or core architecture rather than overall capability.

The Core 5 221E still holds a respectable position in the broader database, with a percentile rank of 87 against all CPUs and an average benchmark score of 40144. The Ultra 5 245HX ranks higher at the 90th percentile with an average score of 48287. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 221E include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, which scores 40081 with a delta of 0.2 percent, and the AMD Ryzen 9 270 at 40246 with a delta of -0.3 percent. The Ultra 5 245HX sits close to the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A, which scores 48201 with a 0.2 percent delta, and the AMD EPYC 4345P at 48470 with a -0.4 percent delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors rely on fundamentally different silicon. The Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node. The Ultra 5 245HX uses the Arrow Lake-HX codename and is built on a 3 nm node by TSMC. The foundry difference matters: Intel fabricates the desktop chip, while TSMC produces the mobile chip.

Core counts are identical at 14, but thread counts differ. The Core 5 221E supports 20 threads, while the Ultra 5 245HX supports 14. That means the desktop chip has 14 cores with 20 threads, implying some cores handle two threads, while the mobile chip has 14 cores and no extra threading. Cache layouts also diverge. The Core 5 221E has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, while the Ultra 5 245HX has 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core. Both share 24 MB of L3 cache.

Clock speeds differ slightly. The Core 5 221E has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Ultra 5 245HX starts higher at 3.10 GHz base but boosts slightly lower at 5.10 GHz. The transistor count is only listed for the Ultra 5 245HX at 17,800 million, and the die size measures 257 mm² for the Core 5 221E versus 243 mm² for the Ultra 5 245HX.

Memory support separates the two clearly. The Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 245HX supports only DDR5. Memory bandwidth also favors the mobile chip at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5 221E but not on the Ultra 5 245HX. PCIe connectivity shows the Ultra 5 245HX with 20 Gen 5 lanes, while the Core 5 221E has 16. The integrated graphics differ as well: UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 221E, and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU on the Ultra 5 245HX.

The socket and market segment confirm the intended use. The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP. The Ultra 5 245HX uses Intel BGA 2114, is a mobile processor, and has a 55 W TDP. The multiplier is unlocked on the Ultra 5 245HX but locked on the Core 5 221E.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a uniform 19.9 percent deficit for the Core 5 221E across all versions. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 5 221E scores 2613 against 3261 for the Ultra 5 245HX. The singlecore test shows 368 versus 460, a 20 percent gap. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the pattern with 10891 versus 13590, and singlecore with 1537 versus 1918. Cinebench R23 multicore has the Core 5 221E at 25933 and the Ultra 5 245HX at 32358, while singlecore shows 3661 versus 4568. Every Cinebench delta sits at -19.9 percent except the R15 singlecore at -20.

PassMark results show larger variations. The biggest single gap is in find prime numbers, where the Core 5 221E scores 173 and the Ultra 5 245HX scores 359, a 51.8 percent difference. Extended instructions also show a major gap: 18216 versus 31212, a 41.6 percent delta. Data encryption favors the Ultra 5 245HX by 36 percent, with scores of 19205 and 30022. Floating point math shows a 34.5 percent gap, 79028 versus 120735. Data compression is closer at 17.5 percent, 324285 versus 393071. Random string sorting shows a 20.9 percent gap, 37686 versus 47616. Physics testing gives the Ultra 5 245HX a smaller edge of 11.7 percent, 2230 versus 2526.

The single-thread PassMark test shows the smallest overall gap at 7.5 percent, with the Core 5 221E scoring 4147 and the Ultra 5 245HX scoring 4481. The multithread PassMark test shows a 19.9 percent gap, 30510 versus 38069. The sole win for the Core 5 221E comes in integer math, where it scores 117813 against 92150 for the Ultra 5 245HX, a 27.8 percent advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 20 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX has 14 threads. Both have 14 cores.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245HX scores 32358, while the Core 5 221E scores 25933. That is a 19.9 percent difference in favor of the Core Ultra 5 245HX.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221E win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins the PassMark integer math test with a score of 117813, compared to 92150 for the Core Ultra 5 245HX, a 27.8 percent advantage.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core 5 221E supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX supports only DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core 5 221E has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX reaches 5.10 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and a 10 nm process, while the Ultra 5 245HX uses Arrow Lake-HX and a 3 nm process. The foundry is Intel for the Core 5 221E and TSMC for the Ultra 5 245HX. Thread counts are 20 versus 14. Base clocks are 2.70 GHz versus 3.10 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.20 GHz versus 5.10 GHz. TDP is 65 W for the desktop chip and 55 W for the mobile chip. The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 245HX uses Intel BGA 2114.

Cache sizes differ in L1 and L2. The Core 5 221E has 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core, while the Ultra 5 245HX has 192 KB L1 per core and 3 MB L2 per core. Both share 24 MB L3. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 5 221E versus DDR5 only for the Ultra 5 245HX. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the Core 5 221E. PCIe lanes are 16 on the Core 5 221E and 20 on the Ultra 5 245HX, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU. The Ultra 5 245HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 221E does not. The transistor count of 17,800 million is listed only for the Ultra 5 245HX, and the die size is 257 mm² for the Core 5 221E versus 243 mm² for the Ultra 5 245HX.