Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V has 8 cores and 8 threads. This difference directly impacts multithreaded workloads.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E uses a 10 nm process from Intel, whereas the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V uses a 3 nm process from TSMC. The Ultra 7's smaller node suggests higher transistor density.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V does not. This makes the Core 5 more suitable for error-sensitive computing tasks.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V scores 23297 on average, which puts it in the 76th percentile.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V supports LPDDR5X, with capacity depending on the motherboard, also in dual-channel.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V has a memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, compared to 89.6 GB/s for the Intel Core 5 221E. The Ultra 7's LPDDR5X support provides a bandwidth advantage.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E dominates nearly every measured workload in the database. It wins 16 out of 17 head-to-head comparisons, with its largest margin in PassMark integer math at 183.5% ahead of the Ultra 7 266V. The Core 5 also shows strong advantages in data compression (73.4% ahead), random string sorting (64.5% ahead), and multithreaded performance (56.8% ahead). Across all Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23), the Core 5 leads in both single-core and multi-core tests by margins between 56.6% and 56.8%. This pattern indicates a clear performance hierarchy favoring the desktop-oriented Core 5.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V wins only one benchmark: PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 191 against the Core 5's 173, a 9.4% advantage. This single win highlights the Ultra 7's efficiency in a narrow mathematical workload, but it does not offset the Core 5's broader performance spread. The Ultra 7's 76th percentile ranking and 23297 average score place it in a lower performance tier, comparable to mobile processors from previous generations.

The Core 5 221E's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (0.2% higher average score), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (0.2% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 9 270 (0.3% lower). The Ultra 7 266V's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H (0.1% higher) and the Intel Core i9-11900F (0.2% higher). The Core 5 competes with modern desktop parts, while the Ultra 7 aligns with older high-end mobile silicon.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 221E is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture and belongs to the Core 5 generation. It uses a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The die size measures 257 mm², and the chip uses the Intel Socket 1700 interface. The architecture supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, and the CPU provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes exclusively for the processor.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V uses the Lunar Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. It is manufactured on a 3 nm process by TSMC, a significantly smaller node than the Core 5's 10 nm. The chip uses Intel BGA 2833 socket, indicating a mobile form factor. Memory support is limited to LPDDR5X, and the CPU provides only 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. 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 Ultra 7 266V has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches reflect a design optimized for lower-latency access, while the Core 5's larger shared L3 cache provides more capacity for multi-core workloads.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 7 266V includes Arc 140V. The Ultra 7's Arc graphics represent a newer GPU architecture, but the database does not include graphics-specific benchmark scores for either chip.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count: 14 cores for the Core 5 221E versus 8 cores for the Ultra 7 266V. Thread counts also differ, with 20 threads for the Core 5 and 8 threads for the Ultra 7. Base clock speeds are 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 and 2.20 GHz for the Ultra 7. Boost clocks reach 5.20 GHz on the Core 5 and 5.00 GHz on the Ultra 7.

Thermal design power differs significantly: the Core 5 221E has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Ultra 7 266V has a TDP of 17 watts. This reflects the Core 5's desktop orientation versus the Ultra 7's mobile efficiency focus. Socket types also differ: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 5 and Intel BGA 2833 for the Ultra 7.

Memory support diverges: the Core 5 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 supports LPDDR5X depending on the motherboard. Memory bandwidth favors the Ultra 7 at 136.5 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5. ECC memory is available only on the Core 5. PCIe lane counts differ, with 16 lanes on the Core 5 versus 4 lanes on the Ultra 7.

The Core 5 221E has a launch MSRP of $232. The Ultra 7 266V has no listed launch MSRP. Release dates also differ: the Core 5 launched on 2025-01-12, while the Ultra 7 launched on 2024-09-23. The Core 5's part number is SRQDVQ659, and the Ultra 7's part number is SRPMMSRPMY. Both processors have locked multipliers and active production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221E wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test with a score of 2613 against the Ultra 7's 1667, a 56.7% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core 5 scores 368 versus 235, a 56.6% margin. These results establish an early pattern of consistent dominance across rendering workloads.

Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the Core 5 at 10891 versus 6948 for the Ultra 7, a 56.8% lead. Single-core R20 results follow the same trend: 1537 for the Core 5 and 980 for the Ultra 7, again a 56.8% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers 25933 for the Core 5 and 16544 for the Ultra 7, with single-core scores of 3661 and 2335 respectively, both showing a 56.8% gap.

PassMark integer math provides the largest performance difference in the entire comparison. The Core 5 221E scores 117813, while the Ultra 7 266V scores 41558, giving the Core 5 a 183.5% advantage. This dramatic margin suggests the Core 5's higher core count and clock speeds provide substantial benefits for integer-heavy tasks.

Data compression results favor the Core 5 with a score of 324285 versus 187050, a 73.4% lead. Random string sorting shows the Core 5 at 37686 against 22905, a 64.5% margin. Floating-point math scores are 79028 for the Core 5 and 56923 for the Ultra 7, a 38.8% difference. Data encryption also favors the Core 5: 19205 versus 13822, a 38.9% margin.

The PassMark multi-thread test shows the Core 5 at 30510 versus 19461 for the Ultra 7, a 56.8% lead. Physics scores are 2230 for the Core 5 and 1608 for the Ultra 7, a 38.7% difference. Extended instructions scores are closer, with the Core 5 at 18216 and the Ultra 7 at 15928, a 14.4% margin. Single-thread performance is nearly even: the Core 5 scores 4147, and the Ultra 7 scores 3943, a 5.2% advantage for the Core 5.

The Ultra 7's only victory comes in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 191 against the Core 5's 173, a 9.4% margin. This result indicates the Ultra 7's architecture handles this specific prime-finding workload more efficiently, likely due to its larger per-core L1 cache of 192 KB and L2 cache of 2.5 MB. However, this single win does little to offset the Core 5's overwhelming performance advantage across all other measured tests.