Intel Core 5 221E vs NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) Comparison
Intel Core 5 221E
RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B)
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 221E vs NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B)
The Verdict
The Intel Core 5 221E and the NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) occupy completely different positions in the database. The Core 5 221E is an active, desktop-oriented processor with a full suite of recorded benchmark scores, while the RTX Spark is an unreleased mobile chip with no benchmark data on file. The data shows that the Core 5 221E sits at the 87th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 40,144. The RTX Spark sits at the 50th percentile with an average score of 0, meaning no performance measurements exist for it.
For anyone selecting between these two, the choice is straightforward based on recorded data: the Core 5 221E is the only option with verified performance. The RTX Spark cannot be evaluated for workload suitability because the database contains zero benchmark results for it. The Core 5 221E is suitable for desktop builds on Intel Socket 1700 with DDR4 or DDR5 memory, while the RTX Spark targets mobile platforms with LPDDR5X memory. The RTX Spark remains unreleased and unmeasured, so any decision favoring it would rely on unverified expectations rather than data.
Architecture Differences
The Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a 257 mm² die. It contains 14 cores with 20 threads, runs at a 2.70 GHz base clock and a 5.20 GHz boost clock, and carries a 65 W TDP. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730. The part number is SRQDVQ659, and the production status is Active.
The RTX Spark uses the N1X codename and belongs to the Spark (GB10) generation, fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm process with a 208 mm² die. It contains 20 cores with 20 threads, runs at a 1.70 GHz base clock and a 4.00 GHz boost clock, and carries a 38 W TDP. The cache hierarchy includes 128 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The integrated graphics are the GB20B "Blackwell" GPU. The part number is GSE1-675-A1, and the production status is unreleased.
The manufacturing differences are significant: Intel fabricates the Core 5 221E on a 10 nm node, while TSMC fabricates the RTX Spark on a 3 nm node. The die sizes differ by 49 mm², with the Intel part being larger. The RTX Spark has a higher core count by 6 cores, but both have 20 threads. The Core 5 221E has a substantially higher base clock by 1.00 GHz and a higher boost clock by 1.20 GHz. The TDP difference favors the RTX Spark at 38 W versus 65 W for the Intel part.
Where Each One Wins
The Core 5 221E wins in every measurable category because the RTX Spark has no recorded benchmark scores. The database shows the Core 5 221E delivering strong multi-threaded and single-threaded results across Cinebench and Passmark tests. In Cinebench R23, the Core 5 221E scores 25,933 in multi-core and 3,661 in single-core. In Passmark, it scores 30,510 in multi-thread and 4,147 in single-thread. These results place it 0.2% above the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and 0.2% above the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 in average score, while trailing the AMD Ryzen 9 270 by 0.3% and the Intel Core i9-13905H by 0.4%.
The RTX Spark cannot claim any benchmark wins because no test results exist. Its hardware specifications suggest a mobile-focused design with a lower TDP and higher memory bandwidth, but without measurements, no performance advantage can be substantiated. The Core 5 221E also supports ECC memory, a feature the RTX Spark lacks, which may matter for workstation reliability. The Core 5 221E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the RTX Spark uses LPDDR5X in a quad-channel configuration with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth, far above the Core 5 221E's 89.6 GB/s.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has better recorded multi-threaded performance?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E is the only processor with recorded multi-threaded performance. It scores 10,891 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, 25,933 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 30,510 in Passmark multi-thread. The RTX Spark has no benchmark data.
Q: What is the core and thread configuration for each processor?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The NVIDIA RTX Spark has 20 cores and 20 threads. Both processors have 20 threads, but the RTX Spark has 6 more physical cores.
Q: How do the clock speeds compare?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E runs at a 2.70 GHz base clock and a 5.20 GHz boost clock. The NVIDIA RTX Spark runs at a 1.70 GHz base clock and a 4.00 GHz boost clock. The Intel part has higher clocks in both categories.
Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?
A: The NVIDIA RTX Spark has a quad-channel LPDDR5X memory bus with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 221E has a dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The RTX Spark offers more than three times the bandwidth.
Q: What is the production status of each processor?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E is listed as Active, having been released on 2025-01-12. The NVIDIA RTX Spark is listed as unreleased, with a release date of 2025-12-31.
Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E supports ECC memory. The NVIDIA RTX Spark does not support ECC memory.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
No direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons exist between the Intel Core 5 221E and the NVIDIA RTX Spark. The head-to-head benchmark table is empty, and the win counts are zero for both processors. This is because the RTX Spark has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. The only meaningful comparison available is against the nearest rivals of the Core 5 221E, which all have recorded average scores.
The Core 5 221E's average benchmark score of 40,144 places it nearly even with several rivals. The AMD Ryzen 7 7700 averages 40,081, a 0.2% difference. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 averages 40,048, also a 0.2% difference. The AMD Ryzen 9 270 averages 40,246, putting the Core 5 221E 0.3% behind. The Intel Core i9-13905H averages 40,313, putting the Core 5 221E 0.4% behind. These margins are narrow, indicating the Core 5 221E performs in a tightly contested band.
The largest recorded wins for the Core 5 221E come from specific workloads. In Passmark data compression, it scores 324,285. In Passmark integer math, it scores 117,813. In Passmark floating point math, it scores 79,028. In Passmark random string sorting, it scores 37,686. In Passmark extended instructions, it scores 18,216. In Passmark data encryption, it scores 19,205. In Passmark find prime numbers, it scores 173. In Passmark physics, it scores 2,230.
The Cinebench results reinforce the multi-threaded strength. Cinebench R15 multi-core yields 2,613, while single-core yields 368. Cinebench R20 multi-core yields 10,891, while single-core yields 1,537. Cinebench R23 multi-core yields 25,933, while single-core yields 3,661. These scores show a processor that is competitive in both lightly threaded and heavily threaded tasks relative to its nearest rivals, though the exact rival scores for these individual tests are not in the database.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Intel Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the RTX Spark has no socket listed. The Core 5 221E is a desktop part, while the RTX Spark is a mobile part. The manufacturing process differs: Intel 10 nm for the Core 5 221E, TSMC 3 nm for the RTX Spark. The die size differs: 257 mm² for the Intel part, 208 mm² for the RTX Spark.
Core counts differ: 14 cores for the Intel part, 20 cores for the RTX Spark. Thread counts are identical at 20. Base clocks differ by 1.00 GHz, with the Intel part higher at 2.70 GHz versus 1.70 GHz. Boost clocks differ by 1.20 GHz, with the Intel part higher at 5.20 GHz versus 4.00 GHz. TDP differs substantially: 65 W for the Intel part, 38 W for the RTX Spark.
Cache configurations differ in L1 and L3 sizes. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 per core, while the RTX Spark has 128 KB of L1 per core. Both have 2 MB of L2 per core. The Intel part has 24 MB of shared L3, while the RTX Spark has 8 MB of shared L3.
Memory support differs completely. The Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The RTX Spark supports LPDDR5X in a quad-channel configuration with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. PCIe support also differs: the Intel part has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the RTX Spark lists N/A.
Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 for the Intel part, GB20B "Blackwell" for the RTX Spark. The release dates differ: 2025-01-12 for the Intel part, 2025-12-31 for the RTX Spark. The production status differs: Active for the Intel part, unreleased for the RTX Spark. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232, while the RTX Spark has no launch MSRP listed. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.