Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core 7 160HL Comparison

Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core 7 160HL

The Intel Core 5 221TE and Intel Core 7 160HL are both 45 W desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, but they represent different design philosophies. The Core 5 221TE, based on Bartlett Lake, is a newer part with fewer cores but a higher single-thread capability, while the Core 7 160HL, based on Raptor Lake-PS, offers more cores and threads for parallel workloads. The recorded data shows a clear split: the Core 5 221TE has a full set of benchmark scores, while the Core 7 160HL has no recorded benchmark results in the database, making direct performance comparison limited to architectural and specification analysis.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results between these two processors, and the Core 7 160HL has no individual benchmark scores recorded. The Core 5 221TE, however, has a comprehensive set of measurements. In Cinebench R23, the Core 5 221TE scores 11305 in multicore and 1596 in singlecore. In Cinebench R20, it scores 4748 multicore and 670 singlecore, while in Cinebench R15 it scores 1139 multicore and 160 singlecore. PassMark results for the Core 5 221TE include a multithread score of 13301, a single-thread score of 1734, integer math at 42303, floating point math at 31661, and data compression at 156682.

Without benchmark data for the Core 7 160HL, the comparison relies on the Core 5 221TE's standing against its nearest rivals. The Core 5 221TE has an average benchmark score of 17860, placing it at the 71st percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, has an average score of 17891, a delta of -0.2% relative to the Core 5 221TE. The Intel Core 5 120U scores 17898, also -0.2% relative. The Intel Core 7 350 scores 17779, a delta of 0.5% in favor of the Core 5 221TE, and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 scores 17994, a delta of -0.7%. These figures show the Core 5 221TE sits within a tight cluster of comparable processors, trailing the Ryzen 5 1600 by less than 1% and slightly ahead of the Core 7 350.

The Core 7 160HL has an average benchmark score of 0 and a percentile rank of 50, with no rival data available. This absence of measurements means no direct score comparisons can be drawn. The data indicates the Core 5 221TE is a measured, competitive part in its segment, while the Core 7 160HL remains unquantified in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors differ fundamentally in their underlying architectures. The Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation, while the Core 7 160HL uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS codename. Both are built on a 10 nm process node by Intel, but the Core 5 221TE has a die size of 215 mm², whereas the Core 7 160HL has no die size recorded.

Core counts diverge sharply. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 7 160HL has 14 cores and 20 threads. Cache configurations also differ: the Core 5 221TE has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Core 7 160HL has 2 MB of L2 cache per core. Both share 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Clock speeds favor the Core 7 160HL. The Core 5 221TE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Core 7 160HL has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. Both have a TDP of 45 W. The Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, while the Core 7 160HL does not. Memory bandwidth is recorded at 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE, but no figure is available for the Core 7 160HL. Both support dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory.

PCIe capabilities differ. The Core 5 221TE uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 160HL uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 221TE has UHD Graphics 730, while the Core 7 160HL has Iris Xe Graphics 96EU. The Core 5 221TE launched on 2025-01-12 with a launch MSRP of $232, while the Core 7 160HL launched earlier on 2024-04-07 and has no launch MSRP recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data supports a split decision based on workload type. The Core 7 160HL offers 14 cores and 20 threads, 4 more cores and 4 more threads than the Core 5 221TE, along with a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 1.80 GHz and a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. It also has double the L2 cache per core at 2 MB versus 1.25 MB. For heavily threaded workloads that scale with core count and cache, the Core 7 160HL should deliver stronger parallel performance, though no benchmark scores confirm this.

The Core 5 221TE counters with a newer architecture generation, a smaller die at 215 mm², ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and a measured average benchmark score of 17860 at the 71st percentile. Its boost clock of 5.00 GHz is close to the Core 7 160HL's 5.20 GHz, and its single-thread PassMark score of 1734 indicates strong per-core capability. For users who need ECC memory, a wider PCIe Gen 5 connection, or a processor with verified performance data, the Core 5 221TE is the safer choice.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either. Both share the same TDP of 45 W, the same L3 cache size of 24 MB, and the same dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 memory support. The Core 5 221TE has a release date of 2025-01-12, about nine months after the Core 7 160HL's 2024-04-07 launch, indicating a newer market entry.

Specification Differences

The processors differ in the following recorded fields: the Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 7 160HL has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clock is 1.80 GHz for the Core 5 221TE and 2.50 GHz for the Core 7 160HL. Boost clock is 5.00 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 2 MB per core. Die size is 215 mm² for the Core 5 221TE, with no die size recorded for the Core 7 160HL. The Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, the Core 7 160HL does not. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE, with no figure for the Core 7 160HL. PCIe is Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Core 5 221TE, Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the Core 7 160HL. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 versus Iris Xe Graphics 96EU. The Core 5 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232, the Core 7 160HL has none. Release dates are 2025-01-12 and 2024-04-07, respectively. The architecture is Bartlett Lake for the Core 5 221TE and Raptor Lake for the Core 7 160HL.

Fields that match include TDP at 45 W, L1 cache at 80 KB per core, L3 cache at 24 MB shared, process node at 10 nm, foundry at Intel, memory support for DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel memory bus, Socket 1700, desktop market segment, active production status, and a locked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 160HL has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Does the Core 5 221TE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory. The Core 7 160HL does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The Core 7 160HL has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Core 5 221TE has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core 5 221TE has an average benchmark score of 17860 and is at the 71st percentile of all CPUs. The Core 7 160HL has an average benchmark score of 0 and is at the 50th percentile, with no recorded benchmark results.

Q: How does the PCIe support differ?

A: The Core 5 221TE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 160HL uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What are the integrated graphics on each processor?

A: The Core 5 221TE has UHD Graphics 730, and the Core 7 160HL has Iris Xe Graphics 96EU.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 160HL wins on parallel workload capacity. Its 14 cores and 20 threads exceed the Core 5 221TE's 10 cores and 16 threads, and its 2 MB L2 cache per core is larger than the 1.25 MB per core on the Core 5 221TE. Higher base and boost clocks, 2.50 GHz and 5.20 GHz respectively, give it a clock-speed advantage across all frequencies. These specifications point to advantages in multi-threaded rendering, compilation, and other tasks that scale with core count and cache size, although the database has no benchmark scores to confirm this.

The Core 5 221TE wins on platform features and verified performance. It is the only one of the two with recorded benchmark data, including a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11305 and a singlecore score of 1596, and a PassMark single-thread score of 1734. Its ECC memory support makes it suitable for error-sensitive workloads. The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 lanes doubles the lane count and generation versus the Core 7 160HL's Gen 4 with 8 lanes, which matters for high-bandwidth expansion cards. The newer Bartlett Lake architecture and the 215 mm² die size, versus no die size recorded for the Core 7 160HL, further differentiate it. The Core 5 221TE also has a launch MSRP of $232, while the Core 7 160HL has no MSRP recorded. For single-thread responsiveness and platform flexibility, the Core 5 221TE is the stronger option.