Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL Comparison
Intel Core 5 221E
Core Ultra 7 165HL
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL
# The Verdict
The Intel Core 5 221E is the stronger performer in this comparison, based entirely on the recorded data. It carries a 14-core, 20-thread configuration on Intel Socket 1700, and it achieves an average benchmark score of 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL, by contrast, has an average benchmark score of 0 and sits in the 50th percentile, with no recorded benchmark results available for analysis. For any workload where measured performance is the deciding factor, the Core 5 221E is the clear choice.
The Core Ultra 7 165HL should only be selected when its specific platform features are required. It uses Intel Socket 1851, integrates Arc Xe-LPG 128EU graphics, and supports DDR5 memory. The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700, integrates UHD Graphics 730, and supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 7 165HL also has a lower TDP of 45, compared to 65 for the Core 5 221E. For users prioritizing a more power-efficient desktop platform with a newer socket and more capable integrated graphics, the Core Ultra 7 165HL has its place, but the data shows it cannot match the Core 5 221E in raw processing power.
# Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different Intel generations and are built on different process nodes. The Core 5 221E is based on Bartlett Lake, a codename tied to the Core 5 generation, and it is manufactured on a 10 nm process node. The Core Ultra 7 165HL belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1 family, uses the Meteor Lake architecture with the Meteor Lake-PS codename, and is manufactured on a 7 nm process node. Both are produced by Intel as the foundry.
The core and thread counts differ. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 165HL has 16 cores and 22 threads. The Core Ultra 7 165HL has more cores and threads, but without benchmark results, the data cannot confirm whether this translates into higher performance. The cache hierarchies also differ: 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 7 165HL has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, also 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and the same 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L1 cache in the Core Ultra 7 165HL could benefit certain workloads, but no measured data supports a definitive performance advantage.
The sockets are different. The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 7 165HL uses Intel Socket 1851. The Core 5 221E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Core Ultra 7 165HL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Core 5 221E a significant platform-level advantage for expandability and bandwidth to discrete components.
Integrated graphics differ substantially. The Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 7 165HL includes Arc Xe-LPG 128EU. The Arc Xe-LPG 128EU is a more advanced graphics solution, and the data indicates it is a distinguishing feature for the Core Ultra 7 165HL. Memory support also differs: the Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 7 165HL supports DDR5, with the specific support depending on the motherboard. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5 221E but not on the Core Ultra 7 165HL.
# FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL has an average benchmark score of 0, as no benchmark results are recorded for it.
Q: How do their core counts compare?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL has 16 cores and 22 threads.
Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL does not.
Q: What are the TDP values for each processor?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E has a TDP of 65, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL has a TDP of 45.
Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E has a boost clock of 5.20, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL has a boost clock of 5.00.
Q: What is the process node for each processor?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E is built on a 10 nm process node, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL is built on a 7 nm process node.
# Specification Differences
The Intel Core 5 221E and Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL differ across several key specification fields.
- Cores: 14 (Core 5 221E) vs 16 (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- Threads: 20 (Core 5 221E) vs 22 (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- Base Clock: 2.70 (Core 5 221E) vs 1.40 (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- Boost Clock: 5.20 (Core 5 221E) vs 5.00 (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- TDP: 65 (Core 5 221E) vs 45 (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- Socket: Intel Socket 1700 (Core 5 221E) vs Intel Socket 1851 (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- Codename: Bartlett Lake (Core 5 221E) vs Meteor Lake-PS (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- Process Node: 10 nm (Core 5 221E) vs 7 nm (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- L1 Cache: 80 KB per core (Core 5 221E) vs 112 KB per core (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- Memory Support: DDR4, DDR5 (Core 5 221E) vs DDR5, depends on motherboard (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- ECC Memory: true (Core 5 221E) vs false (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- PCIe: Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) (Core 5 221E) vs Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 730 (Core 5 221E) vs Arc Xe-LPG 128EU (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- Release Date: 2025-01-12 (Core 5 221E) vs 2024-04-07 (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
- Launch MSRP: $232 (Core 5 221E) vs $459 (Core Ultra 7 165HL)
# Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head benchmark data is empty, meaning there are no direct comparison scores recorded between the Intel Core 5 221E and the Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL. However, the Core 5 221E has a full set of individual benchmark results, while the Core Ultra 7 165HL has none. The Core 5 221E scores 2613 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 368 in Cinebench R15 singlecore, 10891 in Cinebench R20 multicore, 1537 in Cinebench R20 singlecore, 25933 in Cinebench R23 multicore, and 3661 in Cinebench R23 singlecore. In PassMark tests, it records 324285 in data compression, 19205 in data encryption, 18216 in extended instructions, 173 in find prime numbers, 79028 in floating point math, 117813 in integer math, 30510 in multithread, 2230 in physics, 37686 in random string sorting, and 4147 in single thread.
The Core Ultra 7 165HL does not have any recorded scores in the database for any of these tests. As such, the data shows that the Core 5 221E is the only processor with measurable performance data, and its scores across the Cinebench and PassMark suites confirm a capable desktop part. The nearest rivals to the Core 5 221E, based on average score, are the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 with an average score of 40081 and a delta of 0.2%, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 with an average score of 40048 and a delta of 0.2%, the AMD Ryzen 9 270 with an average score of 40246 and a delta of -0.3%, and the Intel Core i9-13905H with an average score of 40313 and a delta of -0.4%. This places the Core 5 221E effectively in the same performance class as those rivals, within fractions of a percent.
# Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core 5 221E wins in every measured performance category, simply because it has recorded benchmark data and the Core Ultra 7 165HL does not. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25933 and PassMark multithread score of 30510 indicate strong multi-threaded throughput. Its Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 3661 and PassMark single thread score of 4147 indicate solid single-threaded performance. The Core 5 221E also wins on platform bandwidth: it supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, versus PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the Core Ultra 7 165HL. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Core Ultra 7 165HL is limited to DDR5. ECC memory support on the Core 5 221E further distinguishes it for applications requiring error correction.
The Intel Core Ultra 7 165HL wins in areas not covered by benchmark scores. It has a lower TDP of 45, which can be advantageous for thermally constrained desktop builds. It uses the more compact 7 nm process node, potentially offering better power efficiency per transistor. It carries a larger L1 cache of 112 KB per core, which may help with memory latency in certain workloads. Its integrated Arc Xe-LPG 128EU graphics are more advanced than the UHD Graphics 730 in the Core 5 221E, making it the better option for systems relying on integrated graphics. It also has a newer socket, Intel Socket 1851, which may offer a more modern platform foundation, though the Core 5 221E counters with more PCIe lanes and a faster PCIe generation.
The data does not show the Core Ultra 7 165HL winning a single benchmark, so any selection of that processor must be based on its platform features, not on measured performance. The Core 5 221E, with its 87th percentile ranking and an average benchmark score of 40144, is the processor the database supports for performance-oriented applications.