CPU Comparison

The Intel Core 5 221TE and Intel Core i7-1255U are both 10-core Intel parts, but they target entirely different corners of the market: one is a desktop chip with a 45W TDP on Socket 1700, the other a 15W mobile chip on BGA 1744. Their benchmark scores show a fascinating split, with the desktop part dominating in sustained multi-threaded workloads while the mobile part counters with superior single-core and integer performance. The data reveals that despite the similar core counts, these processors are not interchangeable, and the choice between them hinges on whether the workload is power-limited or thermally constrained.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core 5 221TE scores 11,305 against the i7-1255U’s 8,285, a 36.5% advantage. This is the single largest margin in any test and highlights the desktop chip’s ability to sustain high clocks across all cores under load. The Core 5 221TE also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core, but only by a narrow 2.4% (4,748 vs 4,635), suggesting that the older R20 benchmark does not stress the chips as long or as hard as R23 does.

In single-core tests, the story flips. The i7-1255U wins Cinebench R15 single-core by a massive 32.6% (237.5 vs 160) and Cinebench R23 single-core by a smaller 3.1% (1,647 vs 1,596). The PassMark single-thread test shows an even more dramatic gap: the i7-1255U scores 3,192 versus 1,734 for the Core 5 221TE, a 45.7% difference. This suggests the mobile chip’s architecture is far more efficient at boosting a single core to its maximum frequency, likely due to its hybrid design.

Looking at the PassMark suite, the wins are split. The Core 5 221TE takes data compression (156,682 vs 147,320, +6.4%), extended instructions (9,655 vs 8,231, +17.3%), and find prime numbers (59 vs 40, +47.5%). The i7-1255U counters in integer math (48,498 vs 42,303, +12.8%) and floating-point math (32,618 vs 31,661, +2.9%), though the latter is close. The encryption test goes to the i7-1255U by 3.2% (9,262 vs 8,963), and random string sorting is effectively a tie (16,934 vs 16,929, 0% delta).

In multithreaded PassMark, the Core 5 221TE edges out a win at 13,301 versus 13,234, a mere 0.5% margin. The physics test, however, is a clear win for the desktop part at 23.8% (977 vs 789). Overall, the i7-1255U claims 9 wins to the Core 5 221TE’s 8, but the magnitudes matter: the desktop part’s wins in Cinebench R23 and prime numbers are far larger than the mobile chip’s single-thread victories. The Core 5 221TE also has a higher average benchmark score (17,860 vs 17,656), though both sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel’s 10 nm process and share the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes (80 KB and 1.25 MB respectively). The fundamental difference lies in their core organization and power envelope. The Core 5 221TE, codenamed Bartlett Lake, has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-1255U, from Alder Lake-U, has 10 cores but only 12 threads. This thread count difference is critical: the Bartlett Lake part appears to use a more traditional symmetric design, whereas the Alder Lake-U uses a hybrid architecture with performance and efficiency cores, which explains the lower thread count despite the same core count.

The L3 cache is another major divider. The Core 5 221TE has 24 MB shared L3, double the i7-1255U’s 12 MB. This larger cache likely contributes to its strong performance in extended instructions and prime number calculations, which benefit from larger working sets. The TDP tells the physical story: the Core 5 221TE is rated at 45W, while the i7-1255U is rated at just 15W. This 30W gap allows the desktop chip to sustain higher clocks and feed more power to the cores.

The integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the i7-1255U has Iris Xe 96EU, which is a more capable GPU for media and light gaming. Memory support is similar (DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel), but the Core 5 221TE lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s while the i7-1255U has no figure listed. The Core 5 221TE also supports ECC memory and PCIe Gen 5 (16 lanes), whereas the i7-1255U does not support ECC and uses PCIe Gen 4 (20 lanes). Finally, the Core 5 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232, while the i7-1255U has no listed MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multi-core performance in the latest Cinebench test?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE is significantly ahead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 11,305 versus 8,285 for the i7-1255U, a 36.5% advantage. This is the largest performance gap between the two in any benchmark.

Q: Is the mobile chip faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: Yes, the i7-1255U wins all single-core tests. It leads by 32.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core (237.5 vs 160) and by 45.7% in PassMark single-thread (3,192 vs 1,734), though the Cinebench R23 single-core margin is smaller at 3.1% (1,647 vs 1,596).

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: No. Both have 10 cores, but the Core 5 221TE has 16 threads while the i7-1255U has 12 threads. This difference likely stems from the i7-1255U’s hybrid core design, which uses efficiency cores that do not add threads.

Q: What is the cache difference between the two?

A: The Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-1255U has only 12 MB. Per-core L1 and L2 caches are identical at 80 KB and 1.25 MB, respectively.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-1255U does not list ECC support in its specifications.

Q: How do the two compare in the PassMark physics test?

A: The Core 5 221TE wins decisively, scoring 977 against the i7-1255U’s 789, a 23.8% advantage. This suggests better sustained multi-core performance for simulation-style workloads.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear trade-off between sustained multi-core throughput and peak single-core responsiveness. The Intel Core 5 221TE is the stronger processor for any workload that scales across all cores and runs for extended periods, as evidenced by its 36.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 47.5% lead in prime number finding. Its 24 MB L3 cache and 16 threads give it a structural advantage in these scenarios. The i7-1255U, however, is not a weak chip; it wins in single-threaded tests by significant margins and handles integer math better, but its 15W TDP limits its ability to compete in sustained all-core loads.

For a desktop user building a system for content creation, compilation, or scientific computing, the Core 5 221TE is the logical choice. Its performance in Cinebench R23 multi-core and physics tests indicates it can handle heavy multi-threaded workloads without thermal throttling. The extra threads and cache are tangible benefits. For a laptop user or someone prioritizing single-thread responsiveness, the i7-1255U offers better peak performance per watt, but the Core 5 221TE’s wins are more substantial than the mobile chip’s, making it the better overall value in raw compute terms.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221TE | Intel Core i7-1255U |

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

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 1700.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Alder Lake-U |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

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

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | Not listed |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins in scenarios that demand sustained multi-core execution. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11,305 is the headline number, and it also dominates in prime number calculations (59 vs 40) and extended instructions (9,655 vs 8,231). The physics test (977 vs 789) confirms its strength in simulation-style loads. If the task is rendering, video encoding, or running heavy batch jobs, the data shows the Core 5 221TE will finish meaningfully faster.

The Intel Core i7-1255U wins in single-threaded and lightly-threaded tasks. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3,192 is nearly double the Core 5 221TE’s 1,734, and it also takes integer math (48,498 vs 42,303) and data encryption (9,262 vs 8,963). This makes it better suited for everyday desktop responsiveness, office work, and applications that rely on a single fast core. Its integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics also make it a better choice for a thin-and-light laptop where media playback and casual gaming matter more than raw CPU throughput. The i7-1255U’s wins in random string sorting and floating-point math are negligible (0% and 2.9%), so those workloads are effectively a wash.