Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core 9 270H Comparison

Intel Core 5 221TE and Intel Core 9 270H occupy different tiers in the database, with the Core 9 270H positioned as the higher-performing part across every recorded benchmark. The Core 5 221TE is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the Core 9 270H is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1744. The benchmark results show a consistent performance gap favoring the Core 9 270H, though the magnitude of that gap varies significantly by workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core 9 270H wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The largest margins appear in Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore tests, where the Core 9 270H leads by 53.8% in both cases. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 9 270H scores 2464 against 1139 for the Core 5 221TE. The R20 multicore result shows 10268 versus 4748, a similar proportional gap.

The single-core Cinebench results show a slightly different pattern. Cinebench R15 single-core has the Core 9 270H at 347 and the Core 5 221TE at 160, a 53.9% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1449 versus 670, also a 53.8% gap. The Cinebench R23 tests show smaller margins. In R23 multicore, the Core 9 270H scores 18000 against 11305, a 37.2% lead. The R23 single-core test has the Core 9 270H at 2040 and the Core 5 221TE at 1596, a 21.8% advantage.

PassMark results reinforce the multicore advantage. The integer math test shows the largest gap at 56.7%, with the Core 9 270H scoring 97654 versus 42303. Floating point math follows closely at 55.2%, with scores of 70640 and 31661 respectively. Single-thread PassMark results show a 56% gap, with the Core 9 270H at 3944 and the Core 5 221TE at 1734.

Data compression and encryption tests also favor the Core 9 270H heavily. Data compression scores 333785 versus 156682, a 53.1% lead. Data encryption shows 19369 against 8963, a 53.7% margin. Extended instructions score 20079 versus 9655, a 51.9% gap. The physics test has the Core 9 270H at 1966 and the Core 5 221TE at 977, a 50.3% lead. Random string sorting shows 36867 versus 16929, a 54.1% difference. Prime number finding has the Core 9 270H at 112 versus 59, a 47.3% gap.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 9 270H wins every benchmark category in the database, so the practical question is where the Core 5 221TE remains usable rather than competitive. The smallest performance gap appears in Cinebench R23 multicore at 37.2%, indicating that the Core 5 221TE is relatively closer in sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads than in other tests. The R23 single-core gap of 21.8% is the smallest of any recorded comparison, suggesting the Core 5 221TE has its best relative showing in lightly threaded tasks.

The Core 5 221TE still delivers a 71st percentile score among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 17860. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core 5 120U at 17898 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core 7 350 at 17779 (0.5% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994 (0.7% ahead). This places the Core 5 221TE in a competitive desktop mid-range cluster.

The Core 9 270H sits at the 86th percentile with an average benchmark score of 38335. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H at 38312 (0.1% behind), the Intel Xeon w3-2525 at 38392 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i5-13600HX at 38261 (0.2% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 7 250 at 38221 (0.3% behind). The Core 9 270H leads its immediate rivals by a narrow margin, indicating it sits at the top of its performance class.

Architecture Differences

The Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation, while the Core 9 270H uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-H codename and belongs to the Core 9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. Both processors use a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel.

The core configurations differ substantially. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 9 270H has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Core 9 270H therefore provides 4 additional cores and 4 additional threads. Base clock speeds differ as well: the Core 5 221TE runs at 1.80 GHz and boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Core 9 270H runs at 2.70 GHz and boosts to 5.80 GHz. Both have a 45 W TDP.

Cache configurations share the same L1 size of 80 KB per core and the same L3 cache of 24 MB shared. The L2 cache differs, with the Core 5 221TE using 1.25 MB per core and the Core 9 270H using 2 MB per core. The die size is recorded only for the Core 5 221TE at 215 mm², with no die size data for the Core 9 270H.

Memory support is identical in type, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. The Core 5 221TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the Core 9 270H. The Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, while the Core 9 270H does not.

PCIe lane counts differ. The Core 5 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 9 270H provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core 9 270H uses Iris Xe Graphics 96EU.

The market segments differ, with the Core 5 221TE classified as a desktop processor and the Core 9 270H classified as mobile. The Core 5 221TE launched on 2025-01-12 with a launch MSRP of $232, while the Core 9 270H launched on 2024-12-17 with a launch MSRP of $697. Both have locked multipliers and active production status.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows the Core 9 270H is the stronger processor in every tested workload. The average benchmark score of 38335 for the Core 9 270H is more than double the 17860 average of the Core 5 221TE. The Core 9 270H also reaches the 86th percentile versus the 71st percentile for the Core 5 221TE.

For users selecting between these two, the choice depends on platform requirements. The Core 5 221TE fits desktop builds on Intel Socket 1700 with 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and ECC memory support. The Core 9 270H targets mobile systems on Intel BGA 1744 with 8 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and no ECC support. The Core 9 270H delivers substantially higher performance in all recorded benchmarks, with the smallest gap in Cinebench R23 single-core at 21.8% and the largest gap in PassMark integer math at 56.7%.

The Core 5 221TE remains a viable desktop option within its performance class, sitting close to rivals like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U. The Core 9 270H leads its nearest rivals, including the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H and Intel Xeon w3-2525, by narrow margins of 0.1%. The performance gap between the two processors is consistent across both Cinebench and PassMark suites, confirming the Core 9 270H as the higher-tier part in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 9 270H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark integer math test, where the Intel Core 9 270H leads by 56.7%.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 9 270H does not.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core 9 270H scores 18000 versus 11305 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a 37.2% lead for the Core 9 270H.

Q: What is the smallest recorded performance gap?

A: The smallest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core 9 270H leads by 21.8%.

Q: What are the market segments for these processors?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the Intel Core 9 270H is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1744.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221TE | Intel Core 9 270H |

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

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.80 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-H |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Core 9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| 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 recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| 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 | $697 |

| Part Number | SRVQS | SRQ6V |