Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221TE and Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL occupy different positions in the database, and the recorded measurements show a clear split in their intended workloads. The Core 5 221TE delivers benchmark results across every recorded test, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL has no benchmark entries in the database, giving the 221TE wins in all measurable compute categories. This is not a case of one processor being universally superior; rather, the data reflects that the 221TE has been subjected to extensive testing while the 125UL remains unmeasured.

The 221TE shows strong single-thread performance with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1596 and a Passmark single-thread score of 1734. These results place it at the 71st percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17860. The nearest rivals confirm its positioning: the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT scores 17891, a delta of -0.2 percent, while the Intel Core 5 120U scores 17898, also -0.2 percent. The Intel Core 7 350 trails slightly at 17779, a delta of 0.5 percent in favor of the 221TE.

The 125UL, by contrast, sits at the 50th percentile with an average benchmark score of 0, indicating no recorded performance data. Its advantages must be inferred from its specification sheet alone, particularly its lower 15 W TDP, newer socket, and integrated Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics. The 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, which is a more modest integrated solution on paper.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has 12 cores, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores. However, the 221TE has 16 threads, while the 125UL has 14 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL boosts to 4.30 GHz. The 221TE also has a higher base clock at 1.80 GHz versus 1.30 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, which is double the 12 MB shared L3 cache of the Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL does not list ECC support.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has a TDP of 45 W, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has a TDP of 15 W, making the 125UL the lower-power option.

Q: Which processor has a higher bandwidth memory bus?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 76.8 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for these two processors, so the comparison relies on the full benchmark suite recorded for the Intel Core 5 221TE. The 221TE's Cinebench R23 multicore score is 11305, while its single-core score is 1596, indicating a multicore-to-single-core ratio of roughly 7 to 1, which is typical for a 10-core, 16-thread part. In Cinebench R20, the 221TE scores 4748 multicore and 670 single-core, while in Cinebench R15 it scores 1139 multicore and 160 single-core.

Passmark results for the 221TE show integer math at 42303, floating-point math at 31661, and extended instructions at 9655. Data compression reaches 156682, while data encryption hits 8963. The multithread score is 13301, and the physics score is 977. Random string sorting completes at 16929, and find prime numbers returns 59. These figures give the 221TE an average benchmark score of 17860.

The 125UL has no recorded benchmark scores, meaning the head-to-head comparison is one-sided. The 221TE's 71st percentile ranking versus the 125UL's 50th percentile further illustrates the gap in measured performance. The nearest rivals to the 221TE reinforce its standing: the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U both sit within 0.2 percent of its average score, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 trails by 0.7 percent.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL uses the Intel Socket 1851. The 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the 125UL has 12 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks differ at 1.80 GHz for the 221TE and 1.30 GHz for the 125UL, with boost clocks of 5.00 GHz and 4.30 GHz, respectively.

TDP presents a significant divide: the 221TE draws 45 W, while the 125UL draws only 15 W. Memory support also differs, with the 221TE supporting DDR4 and DDR5, while the 125UL supports DDR5 with capacity depending on the motherboard. Memory bandwidth favors the 125UL at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the 221TE. ECC memory is supported on the 221TE but not on the 125UL. PCIe lanes also differ: the 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 125UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 221TE includes UHD Graphics 730, while the 125UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. Release dates place the 125UL first at 2024-04-07, with the 221TE arriving later on 2025-01-12. The launch MSRP for the 221TE is $232, while the 125UL launched at $309. Both processors are marked as Active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core 5 221TE is built on the Bartlett Lake codename, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL uses Meteor Lake-PS. The 221TE belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation, and the 125UL belongs to the Ultra 5 (Meteor Lake-PS) generation. Process nodes differ: the 221TE uses a 10 nm process, while the 125UL uses a 7 nm process. Both are fabricated by Intel.

Cache hierarchies diverge as well. The 221TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The 125UL has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size for the 221TE is 215 mm², while the 125UL has no recorded die size. The 221TE has a part number of SRVQS, and the 125UL uses SRN96.

The 125UL is part of the Core Ultra Series 1 and carries the Meteor Lake architecture designation, which is absent from the 221TE's entry. This architectural difference explains the socket change, the memory support differences, and the shift in PCIe generation. The 221TE's Bartlett Lake design aligns with the older Socket 1700 platform, while the 125UL's Meteor Lake-PS design uses the newer Socket 1851.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct usage profiles. The Intel Core 5 221TE is the measured performer, with a full suite of benchmark scores and a 71st percentile ranking. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock, 16 threads, and 24 MB of L3 cache give it a strong computational profile, supported by an average benchmark score of 17860. The nearest rival comparisons show it trading within 0.7 percent of several established processors, which places it in a competitive mid-range position. Its 45 W TDP and Socket 1700 compatibility suggest a conventional desktop build, and ECC memory support adds a reliability-oriented feature.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL, lacking benchmark data, cannot be assessed on measured performance. Its specifications indicate a lower-power design at 15 W, a newer 7 nm process, and a higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The 12-core count with 14 threads suggests a different thread-to-core ratio, likely reflecting a hybrid design that the database does not detail for this entry. The Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics may offer stronger visual output than the UHD Graphics 730 in the 221TE, though no benchmark results confirm this.

For users who prioritize recorded multi-threaded and single-threaded compute performance, the 221TE is the only option with data to support it. For users who prioritize lower power consumption, a newer socket, and a more recent architecture, the 125UL presents a specification-based alternative. The database currently cannot quantify the 125UL's performance, so any decision favoring it must rest on its listed features rather than measured results. The 221TE remains the verified choice among the two, with the 125UL as an unmeasured but architecturally distinct contender.