Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K wins 16 of the 17 recorded tests, with the Intel Core 5 221E claiming a single, albeit significant, victory. The most striking result is the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the Core 5 221E scores 3661 against the Core Ultra 7 265K's 2020, a delta of 81.2 percent in favor of the older chip. This is an outlier compared to the rest of the results, where the Core Ultra 7 265K routinely dominates by margins between 15.8 and 66.5 percent.

In multi-threaded workloads, the Core Ultra 7 265K is decisively ahead. The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows a score of 5020 versus 2613, a 47.9 percent advantage. The Cinebench R20 multicore result is nearly identical in proportional terms, with the Core Ultra 7 265K scoring 20918 against 10891, again a 47.9 percent lead. The R23 multicore gap narrows somewhat, with the Core Ultra 7 265K scoring 35850 versus 25933, a 27.7 percent difference, but it remains a clear win for the newer processor.

PassMark results reinforce the pattern. Data compression favors the Core Ultra 7 265K by 51.3 percent (665554 versus 324285). Data encryption shows an even larger gap of 60.2 percent (48246 versus 19205). Extended instruction throughput is the largest single margin recorded, with the Core Ultra 7 265K ahead by 66.5 percent (54333 versus 18216). Prime number finding is 64.8 percent faster on the Core Ultra 7 265K (491 versus 173), and floating-point math is 58.3 percent higher (189629 versus 79028). Integer math is a closer contest, with the Core Ultra 7 265K leading by 17.8 percent (143242 versus 117813). Random string sorting is 52.7 percent better on the Core Ultra 7 265K (79752 versus 37686), and the multithread PassMark score is 47.9 percent higher (58594 versus 30510). Physics and single-thread PassMark scores are also higher on the Core Ultra 7 265K, by 40.2 percent (3731 versus 2230) and 15.8 percent (4928 versus 4147) respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 265K wins across nearly every category that the recorded data covers. Its largest margins are in extended instructions (66.5 percent), prime number finding (64.8 percent), and data encryption (60.2 percent), indicating a substantial advantage in compute-heavy and security-related tasks. It also leads decisively in compression (51.3 percent), sorting (52.7 percent), floating-point math (58.3 percent), and the Cinebench multicore suite (27.7 to 47.9 percent). For workloads that scale with core count and thread count, such as rendering, simulation, or database operations, the data shows the Core Ultra 7 265K is the stronger part.

The Core 5 221E has exactly one recorded win: Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 81.2 percent higher than the Core Ultra 7 265K. This is a notable result, as it indicates the Core 5 221E can outperform the Core Ultra 7 265K in a specific single-threaded rendering workload. However, the single-thread PassMark tests tell a different story, with the Core Ultra 7 265K leading by 15.8 percent (4928 versus 4147). The recorded data therefore does not support a general claim of single-thread superiority for the Core 5 221E; the R23 single-core result stands as an isolated data point. Outside of that test, the Core 5 221E does not post a win in any other recorded benchmark.

Architecture Differences

The two processors differ fundamentally in architecture. The Core 5 221E is built on a 10 nm process by Intel, uses the Bartlett Lake codename, and fits the Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 7 265K uses a 3 nm process, is fabricated by TSMC, carries the Arrow Lake-S codename, and uses Intel Socket 1851. The Core Ultra 7 265K has a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the Core 5 221E has no recorded transistor count and a die size of 257 mm².

Core and thread counts differ meaningfully. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 cores and 20 threads. This gives the Core Ultra 7 265K six additional cores, though both parts expose the same thread count. Cache hierarchies also differ: the Core 5 221E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3, while the Core Ultra 7 265K has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3.

Memory support is a further split. The Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 7 265K supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the Core Ultra 7 265K records a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s against 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 221E. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity favors the Core Ultra 7 265K with Gen 5 and 20 lanes (CPU only), versus Gen 5 and 16 lanes (CPU only) for the Core 5 221E. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 7 265K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Core Ultra 7 265K has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Core 5 221E does not.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K has an average benchmark score of 70879, compared to 40144 for the Intel Core 5 221E. The Core Ultra 7 265K also sits at the 94th percentile against all CPUs, while the Core 5 221E sits at the 87th percentile.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221E beat the Core Ultra 7 265K in any benchmark?

A: Yes. The Core 5 221E wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test with a score of 3661 against 2020, a delta of 81.2 percent. It loses all other recorded head-to-head tests.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R20 multicore?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K scores 20918, which is 47.9 percent higher than the Core 5 221E's 10891.

Q: What is the difference in PassMark multithread scores?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K scores 58594, versus 30510 for the Core 5 221E, a 47.9 percent advantage for the Core Ultra 7 265K.

Q: Which processor has more cores and what is the thread count for each?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 221E and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K support ECC memory.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 5 221E | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K |

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

| Cores | 14 | 20 |

| Threads | 20 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 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 |

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

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

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-10-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $394 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is the faster processor in 16 of 17 recorded head-to-head tests, with an average benchmark score of 70879 against 40144 for the Intel Core 5 221E. Its advantages are largest in extended instructions (66.5 percent), prime number finding (64.8 percent), and data encryption (60.2 percent), and it also leads substantially in Cinebench multicore tests (27.7 to 47.9 percent) and PassMark multithread (47.9 percent). The Core Ultra 7 265K also has more cores, a smaller process node, higher memory bandwidth, and a higher boost clock.

The Intel Core 5 221E is not without merit. Its 81.2 percent win in Cinebench R23 single-core is the single largest delta recorded in the entire comparison, and its TDP of 65 W is considerably lower than 125 W for the Core Ultra 7 265K. Its launch MSRP of $232 is also lower than the Core Ultra 7 265K's $394. For a workload that specifically benefits from the R23 single-core result, the Core 5 221E shows a meaningful advantage. However, the preponderance of the recorded data favors the Core Ultra 7 265K, particularly for multi-threaded, encryption, compression, and floating-point tasks. The Core Ultra 7 265K is the appropriate choice for users whose workloads align with the majority of the benchmark results, while the Core 5 221E is the better fit for scenarios prioritizing the R23 single-core metric and lower power draw.