Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive overall winner: the Intel Core 5 221E claims 16 of 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins a single test. The margin of victory is not uniform, however. The largest single deltas appear in heavily threaded and integer-heavy workloads, while the Ultra 7 manages to stay competitive in one specific prime-number calculation test.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 221E scores 25,933 against 10,301 for the Ultra 7 258V, a 151.8% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Core 5 leads 10,891 to 6,739, a 61.6% gap, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it leads 2,613 to 1,596.5, a 63.7% gap. The Core 5 also dominates PassMark integer math with a score of 117,813 versus 42,889, a 174.7% lead, the second-largest margin recorded. PassMark multi-thread shows 30,510 versus 18,887, a 61.5% delta, and PassMark data compression shows 324,285 versus 176,686, an 83.5% lead.

Single-threaded results also favor the Core 5, but by a smaller margin. Cinebench R23 single-core scores are 3,661 versus 1,872, a 95.6% difference. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1,537 versus 951, a 61.6% delta, and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 368 versus 285, a 29.1% gap. PassMark single-thread results are much closer: 4,147 versus 4,018, a 3.2% lead for the Core 5. This narrow margin suggests that per-clock efficiency is far more comparable between the two parts than raw multi-thread throughput.

The Ultra 7 258V takes its only win in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 185 versus 173, a 6.5% advantage. This is an isolated result within the dataset. Elsewhere, the Core 5 leads in PassMark data encryption (19,205 versus 13,534, a 41.9% delta), PassMark extended instructions (18,216 versus 14,717, a 23.8% delta), PassMark floating point math (79,028 versus 57,372, a 37.7% delta), PassMark physics (2,230 versus 1,565, a 42.5% delta), and PassMark random string sorting (37,686 versus 21,580, a 74.6% delta).

The overall average benchmark score reflects this separation. The Core 5 221E posts an average score of 40,144, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Ultra 7 258V averages 20,454, placing it in the 74th percentile. The Core 5's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40,081 (a 0.2% delta), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 at 40,048 (a 0.2% delta), and the Intel Core i9-13905H at 40,313 (a -0.4% delta). The Ultra 7's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 at 20,468 (a -0.1% delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G at 20,425 (a 0.1% delta), and the AMD EPYC 9454P at 20,422 (a 0.2% delta). These rival clusters confirm that the two processors occupy entirely different performance tiers.

Architecture Differences

The two processors differ fundamentally in design goals. The Intel Core 5 221E is a desktop part built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². It uses 14 cores and 20 threads, supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and includes ECC memory support. Its base clock is 2.70 GHz with a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, and it carries a 65 W TDP. It uses Intel Socket 1700 and provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is a mobile part from the Core Ultra Series 2, built on the Lunar Lake architecture and fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm process. It uses 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. Its TDP is 17 W, reflecting a low-power design target. It uses Intel BGA 2833 and provides PCIe Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. It supports only LPDDR5X memory in dual-channel mode, with no ECC support.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Core 5 221E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 258V has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The per-core L1 and L2 values on the Ultra 7 are larger, but the total L3 pool is half the size. Memory bandwidth favors the Ultra 7, which records 136.5 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5. This bandwidth advantage is a direct consequence of the LPDDR5X memory type.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 7 258V uses Arc 140V. The database does not include graphics benchmarks for either part, so the comparison must remain qualitative. The Core 5's launch MSRP is $232. The Ultra 7 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The Core 5 221E was released on 2025-01-12, while the Ultra 7 258V was released on 2024-09-23. Both parts are listed as Active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The market segments are Desktop for the Core 5 and Mobile for the Ultra 7, which explains the socket, TDP, and process node differences.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in every workload that depends on thread count, cache capacity, or sustained multi-core throughput. Its 14 cores and 20 threads, combined with 24 MB of shared L3, give it a large advantage in rendering, compression, encryption, and integer math. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 25,933 versus 10,301 is the clearest indicator of this strength. PassMark integer math at 117,813 versus 42,889 and PassMark data compression at 324,285 versus 176,686 reinforce the same conclusion. The 65 W TDP and desktop socket allow the Core 5 to sustain high clocks across many cores, whereas the Ultra 7's 17 W TDP constrains sustained throughput.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins in exactly one recorded test: PassMark find prime numbers, 185 versus 173. This is a narrow 6.5% margin, and it does not indicate a general pattern of superiority. The Ultra 7's larger per-core L1 cache (192 KB versus 80 KB) and larger per-core L2 cache (2.5 MB versus 2 MB) may contribute to this isolated result, as prime-number searches are often cache-sensitive. Its higher memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s could also play a role, although the same bandwidth advantage does not translate into wins elsewhere.

In single-threaded PassMark tests, the two parts are nearly equal: 4,147 versus 4,018, a 3.2% gap. This suggests that for lightly threaded workloads, the architectural efficiency of the Lunar Lake core nearly compensates for the Core 5's higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. The single-core Cinebench results tell a different story, with the Core 5 leading by 95.6% in R23 and 61.6% in R20, but those tests may be more sensitive to clock speed and sustained boost behavior.

For mobile use cases, the Ultra 7's 17 W TDP and BGA 2833 socket make it the only one of the two that fits in a thin-and-light chassis. The Core 5's 65 W TDP and Socket 1700 require a desktop platform. The database records no power efficiency metrics beyond TDP, so further analysis of performance per watt is not possible from the available data.

For desktop workloads that favor many cores, large L3, and high boost clocks, the Core 5 221E is the clear choice. Its average benchmark score of 40,144 places it near the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (40,081) and the AMD Ryzen 9 270 (40,246), which indicates it competes in the upper mid-range desktop tier. The Ultra 7 258V, with an average score of 20,454, aligns with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (20,468) and the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (20,425), placing it in the lower mid-range tier despite its newer process node.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40,144, versus 20,454 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V. The Core 5 also ranks in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra 7 ranks in the 74th percentile.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 221E scores 25,933 versus 10,301 for the Ultra 7 258V, a 151.8% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 61.6% lead (10,891 versus 6,739), and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 63.7% lead (2,613 versus 1,596.5).

Q: Does the Ultra 7 258V win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Ultra 7 258V wins the PassMark find prime numbers test with a score of 185 versus 173 for the Core 5 221E, a 6.5% advantage. It loses all other 16 recorded head-to-head tests.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How do the single-threaded scores compare?

A: In PassMark single-thread, the Core 5 221E scores 4,147 versus 4,018 for the Ultra 7 258V, a 3.2% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 5 leads 3,661 versus 1,872, a 95.6% gap.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E uses Intel's 10 nm process. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V uses TSMC's 3 nm process. The Ultra 7's process node is smaller, but the Core 5's higher core count and clock speeds produce higher benchmark scores in the recorded data.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |

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

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | Not recorded |

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

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc 140V |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRQDVQ659 | SRPMNSRPMT |

The two processors also share some specifications. Both are manufactured by Intel, both use dual-channel memory, both have locked multipliers, and both are listed as Active in production status. Neither has a recorded v-cache option or a transistor count in the database. The specification differences align with their different market segments: the Core 5 221E is a desktop processor with more cores, a higher TDP, and a larger L3 cache, while the Ultra 7 258V is a mobile processor with fewer cores, a much lower TDP, and higher memory bandwidth.