Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a clear overall verdict: the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins 15 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 221E takes only 2. The average benchmark score confirms the separation, with the Ultra 7 255HX at 62738 against the Core 5 221E at 40144, a 56.4% gap. The largest single-win margin for the Ultra 7 comes in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 41247 versus 18216, a 55.8% advantage. PassMark data encryption shows a 51.4% lead (39499 versus 19205), and floating point math delivers a 50.8% edge (160624 versus 79028). These are not marginal differences; they reflect a fundamentally higher throughput class.

The multi-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 7 255HX scores 4916 against 2613, a 46.8% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 17187 versus 10891, a 36.6% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core narrows somewhat to 32612 versus 25933, a 20.5% lead. PassMark multithread tells a similar story: 48234 versus 30510, a 36.7% difference. PassMark integer math is the closest multi-threaded contest, with the Ultra 7 leading only 127126 to 117813, a 7.3% margin. PassMark physics also favors the Ultra 7, 2926 versus 2230, a 23.8% gap.

The two wins for the Core 5 221E are both in single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core 5 scores 368 versus 327, a 12.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin expands to 69.3%, with 3661 versus 2163. However, this single-core story is inconsistent. The PassMark single-thread test goes the other way: the Ultra 7 255HX scores 4562 versus 4147, a 9.1% lead. Similarly, Cinebench R20 single-core shows the Ultra 7 ahead at 2426 versus 1537, a 36.6% margin. The Core 5 221E appears strong in specific legacy single-thread workloads, but the broader single-thread data favors the Ultra 7.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX dominates every throughput-oriented category. Data compression scores 515143 versus 324285, a 37% lead. Random string sorting shows 62591 versus 37686, a 39.8% edge. Prime number finding, a classic CPU stress test, delivers 400 versus 173, a 56.7% advantage. Encryption, extended instructions, floating point, multithread, and physics all fall in the Ultra 7 column. For workloads that scale with core count, cache, and memory bandwidth, the Ultra 7 255HX is the clear choice from the recorded data.

The Intel Core 5 221E wins specifically in Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests. These benchmarks reward high boost clocks and per-core efficiency. The Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz, identical to the Ultra 7, but its base clock is higher at 2.70 GHz versus 2.40 GHz. The R23 single-core margin of 69.3% is striking, though it does not carry over to R20 single-core or PassMark single-thread. The data suggests the Core 5 221E has a narrower but real advantage in certain legacy single-threaded rendering tasks.

For mixed-use scenarios, the Ultra 7 255HX wins on aggregate. Its PassMark multithread score of 48234 is 58.1% above the Core 5's 30510. Its average benchmark score of 62738 places it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, versus the 87th percentile for the Core 5 221E. The nearest rival data reinforces this: the Ultra 7 255HX sits within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 and Intel Core i7-13790F, while the Core 5 221E sits within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and AMD Ryzen AI 9 365.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and are built on different nodes. The Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename with a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses Arrow Lake-HX as its codename, with a 3 nm process node from TSMC. The Core Ultra 7 255HX belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 and lists 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core 5 221E does not list a transistor count, but its die size is 257 mm².

Core and thread counts differ meaningfully. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Core Ultra 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads, meaning it uses a different thread configuration, likely with more physical cores and no extra threads per core. Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 5 221E has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Ultra 7 255HX has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. The larger L3 and per-core L2 explain part of the Ultra 7's multi-threaded advantage.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with dual-channel memory and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Ultra 7 255HX supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with higher bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s. The Ultra 7 also supports ECC memory? No, the data shows ECC true for the Core 5 221E and false for the Ultra 7 255HX. PCIe lanes differ: the Core 5 has Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes, while the Ultra 7 has Gen 5 with 20 CPU-only lanes.

Socket and market segment are major structural differences. The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop part. The Ultra 7 255HX uses Intel BGA 2114 and is a mobile part. The Core 5 221E has a locked multiplier; the Ultra 7 255HX is multiplier-unlocked. Integrated graphics differ: the Core 5 221E has UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 7 255HX has Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Power targets also diverge, with the Core 5 at 65 W and the Ultra 7 at 55 W. Both parts share a release date of 2025-01-12 and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins every multi-core test in the database. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 32612 versus 25933 for the Core 5 221E, a 20.5% lead. PassMark multithread shows 48234 versus 30510, a 36.7% advantage.

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

A: Yes, it wins two single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core it scores 368 versus 327, a 12.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core it scores 3661 versus 2163, a 69.3% margin. It loses Cinebench R20 single-core and PassMark single-thread.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Core Ultra 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads. Despite the equal thread count, the Ultra 7's higher core count and larger caches drive its multi-threaded wins.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core 5 221E supports DDR4 and DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 7 255HX supports only DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Ultra 7 has a 14.3% higher memory bandwidth figure.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking?

A: The Core Ultra 7 255HX ranks in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 221E ranks in the 87th percentile. The Ultra 7's average benchmark score is 62738 versus 40144.

Q: Are these processors on the same manufacturing node?

A: No. The Core 5 221E uses a 10 nm node from Intel. The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses a 3 nm node from TSMC. The Ultra 7 also lists 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the higher-performing processor in nearly every measurable category. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including all multi-threaded tests, all PassMark tests except none, and the Cinebench R20 single-core test. Its average benchmark score of 62738 is 56.4% higher than the Core 5 221E's 40144. The Ultra 7 also carries a higher CPU percentile ranking, 93rd versus 87th, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 and Intel Core i7-13790F, both within 0.7%.

The Intel Core 5 221E retains a specific niche. It wins Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests, with the R23 margin reaching 69.3%. It also supports ECC memory, which the Ultra 7 does not, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 is DDR5-only. Its desktop Socket 1700 form factor and 65 W power target differ from the Ultra 7's mobile BGA 2114 socket and 55 W target. The Core 5 221E also has a launch MSRP of $232.

For workloads that demand maximum multi-threaded throughput, data compression, encryption, or floating point math, the data points squarely to the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX. For legacy single-threaded Cinebench rendering tasks, or for systems requiring ECC memory on a desktop socket, the Intel Core 5 221E is the recorded option. The 20-core Ultra 7 255HX with 30 MB L3 and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth is the stronger overall part in this comparison.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |

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

| Cores | 14 | 20 |

| Threads | 20 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-HX |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| 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) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| ECC Memory | True | False |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | False | True |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SRQDVQ659 | SRVFG |