Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core 7 250H Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a decisive performance gap between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core 7 250H wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 35728 versus 17860 for the Intel Core 5 221TE. The Core 7 250H sits at the 85th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 221TE sits at the 71st percentile.

The Intel Core 7 250H is the clear choice for any workload that depends on multi-threaded throughput. Its 14 cores and 20 threads deliver Cinebench R23 multi-core performance of 16561 points, which is 46.5% higher than the Core 5 221TE's 11305 points. The single-core advantage is smaller but still significant: 1931 versus 1596 in Cinebench R23, a 17.3% gap.

The Intel Core 5 221TE remains relevant for desktop builds that need ECC memory support, which the Core 7 250H lacks. It also uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, making it compatible with existing LGA1700 motherboards. Its launch MSRP is $232, compared to $502 for the Core 7 250H.

For mobile systems, the Core 7 250H is the only option between these two, as it uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and targets the mobile market segment. The Core 5 221TE is a desktop part on Socket 1700. Buyers choosing between these specific processors should base the decision on platform requirements first, then performance needs.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 250H has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel memory buses. The Core 5 221TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Core 7 250H has no memory bandwidth figure in the database.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 7 250H does not.

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

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 7 250H scores 16561 versus 11305 for the Core 5 221TE, a 31.7% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap widens to 51% with scores of 9697 and 4748.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 250H boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz and 1.80 GHz respectively.

Q: What integrated graphics does each processor use?

A: The Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730. The Core 7 250H uses Iris Xe Graphics 96EU.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design families. The Core 5 221TE is based on the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 5 generation line. The Core 7 250H uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-H codename, belonging to the Raptor Lake Refresh generation.

Both processors are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. The Core 5 221TE has a die size of 215 mm², while no die size is recorded for the Core 7 250H.

Cache organization differs between the two. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The L2 cache differs: the Core 5 221TE has 1.25 MB per core, while the Core 7 250H has 2 MB per core. With 14 cores versus 10, the Core 7 250H carries substantially more total L2 cache.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 5 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 7 250H provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). This matters for systems that need many PCIe lanes for expansion cards or storage devices.

The integrated graphics solutions are different tiers. The Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core 7 250H uses Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, which is a higher-end integrated GPU with more execution units.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221TE | Intel Core 7 250H |

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

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base clock | 1.80 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-H |

| Architecture | not listed | Raptor Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Core 7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 10 nm |

| Die size | 215 mm² | not listed |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 24 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | not listed |

| ECC memory | supported | not supported |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 8 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-12-17 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $502 |

| Part number | SRVQS | SRQ6UQ5MK |

Both parts share the same 45 W TDP, 10 nm process, DDR4/DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, and 80 KB L1 cache per core. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a consistent pattern: the Core 7 250H wins every single test, but the margin varies widely by workload type.

The largest single-core advantage appears in PassMark single-thread testing. The Core 7 250H scores 4148 versus 1734 for the Core 5 221TE, a 58.2% gap. This is a much larger single-core delta than what Cinebench shows, suggesting the PassMark single-thread workload scales differently with the Core 7 250H's higher base and boost clocks.

Cinebench R15 single-core shows the Core 7 250H at 298 versus 160, a 46.3% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1368 versus 670, a 51% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core narrows to 1931 versus 1596, a 17.3% gap. The pattern across Cinebench versions indicates that the newer R23 workload reduces the single-core difference considerably.

Multi-core results follow a similar pattern with varying margins. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the largest gap: 3147 versus 1139, a 63.8% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 9697 versus 4748, a 51% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 16561 versus 11305, a 31.7% gap. The older Cinebench versions amplify the difference between these two parts.

PassMark integer math delivers the second-largest margin. The Core 7 250H scores 99100 versus 42303, a 57.3% gap. Floating-point math shows 65094 versus 31661, a 51.4% gap. Data compression shows 303269 versus 156682, a 48.3% gap. Data encryption shows 18206 versus 8963, a 50.8% gap. Extended instructions show 17318 versus 9655, a 44.2% gap. Find prime numbers shows 106 versus 59, a 44.3% gap. Physics shows 1824 versus 977, a 46.4% gap. Random string sorting shows 34136 versus 16929, a 50.4% gap. PassMark multi-thread shows 27030 versus 13301, a 50.8% gap.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 250H wins every recorded benchmark category. Its strongest margins appear in Cinebench R15 multi-core (63.8% ahead), PassMark single-thread (58.2% ahead), and PassMark integer math (57.3% ahead). Its smallest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it leads by 17.3%.

The Core 7 250H's benchmark profile places it alongside AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350, Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845, and AMD Ryzen 7 7700X in the database's nearest rival list. Its average score of 35728 is within 0.5% of all four of those parts. This places it in upper-mid-range territory for mobile processors.

The Core 5 221TE's nearest rivals are AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, Intel Core 5 120U, Intel Core 7 350, and AMD Ryzen 5 1600. Its average score of 17860 is within 0.7% of those parts. The Core 5 221TE's strongest relative performance appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where its 11305 score is only 31.7% behind the Core 7 250H, a smaller gap than most other tests show.

For desktop builders on Socket 1700, the Core 5 221TE offers ECC memory support and 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. These features are absent from the Core 7 250H, which has no ECC support and only 8 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Core 5 221TE's desktop market segment and fixed Socket 1700 platform make it the appropriate choice for ECC-capable workstation builds, despite its lower benchmark scores.

For mobile systems, the Core 7 250H is the only viable option between these two parts. Its BGA 1744 socket and mobile market segment fit laptop designs. The performance data indicates it handles every tested workload with a substantial margin over the Core 5 221TE, from single-threaded tasks to heavily parallel workloads. The Core 7 250H's higher launch MSRP of $502 reflects its higher average benchmark score of 35728, roughly double the Core 5 221TE's average of 17860.