Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225F Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark data records 17 separate tests, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F wins all 17. The Intel Core 5 221TE does not win a single recorded benchmark. This is a one-sided comparison, but the margin of victory varies considerably by workload type, which reveals distinct performance profiles.

The Core Ultra 5 225F shows its largest advantages in processor-intensive mathematical workloads. In PassMark's find prime numbers test, it scores 352 against 59 for the Core 5 221TE, a delta of -83.2% from the perspective of the 221TE. That represents the 225F delivering roughly six times the throughput in that specific calculation. Floating point math shows a similar pattern, with the 225F at 92554 versus 31661, a -65.8% delta. Extended instructions follow at -65.6%, with scores of 28027 and 9655 respectively.

The single-core Cinebench results also favor the 225F substantially. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the 225F scores 287 while the 221TE scores 160, a -44.3% delta. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the gap widens to -57.1%, with scores of 1561 and 670. The R23 single-core test shows a narrower margin at -15.7%, with the 225F at 1893 and the 221TE at 1596.

Multi-core Cinebench results tell a more nuanced story. The R15 multi-core test shows the 225F at 2660 versus 1139 for the 221TE, a -57.2% delta. R20 multi-core is nearly identical at -57.1%, with scores of 11059 and 4748. However, R23 multi-core narrows dramatically to -31.3%, with the 225F at 16467 and the 221TE at 11305. This suggests the 221TE scales better under sustained multi-core loads relative to its single-core performance.

PassMark multi-threaded results show the 225F at 31004 versus 13301 for the 221TE, a -57.1% delta. The physics test follows at -59.8%, with scores of 2430 and 977. Data compression shows a -49.6% delta, with the 225F at 310843 and the 221TE at 156682. Data encryption shows a -60.4% delta, with scores of 22648 and 8963. Random string sorting shows a -54.6% delta, with the 225F at 37325 and the 221TE at 16929. Integer math shows the smallest PassMark gap at -36.3%, with scores of 66417 and 42303.

The overall average benchmark score confirms the separation: the 225F averages 37313 across all benchmarks, while the 221TE averages 17860. The 225F sits at the 85th percentile against all CPUs in the database, while the 221TE sits at the 71st percentile.

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F outperforms the Intel Core 5 221TE in every single benchmark test in the database, with deltas ranging from -15.7% to -83.2%. The 225F occupies the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the 221TE occupies the 71st percentile. The average benchmark score difference is substantial: 37313 versus 17860, meaning the 225F averages roughly double the score of the 221TE.

The nearest rivals data places the 225F alongside significantly more powerful processors. Its average score of 37313 sits within 0.5% of the Intel Core i9-13900HK (37425, delta -0.3%), the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H (37161, delta 0.4%), the Intel Core i7-13700 (37135, delta 0.5%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 160 (37117, delta 0.5%). This places the 225F in the upper tier of desktop and mobile processors.

The 221TE's nearest rivals are considerably lower in the performance stack. Its average score of 17860 sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, delta -0.2%), the Intel Core 5 120U (17898, delta -0.2%), the Intel Core 7 350 (17779, delta 0.5%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17994, delta -0.7%). The 221TE performs at roughly the level of older mid-range processors from both Intel and AMD.

For a user prioritizing maximum compute throughput, the 225F is the only choice based on this data. The 221TE remains a functional desktop processor, but it delivers less than half the average benchmark score of the 225F. The 221TE does retain some advantages in platform flexibility: it supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, and supports ECC memory. The 225F drops all of those features. For workloads that require those specific capabilities, the 221TE becomes relevant despite its lower performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the entire comparison appears in PassMark's find prime numbers test. The 225F scores 352, the 221TE scores 59, producing a -83.2% delta. This test measures raw integer throughput in a highly parallel pattern, and the 225F's architecture handles it dramatically better.

The second-largest margin appears in floating point math, where the 225F scores 92554 against 31661 for the 221TE, a -65.8% delta. Extended instructions follow closely at -65.6%, with scores of 28027 and 9655. These two tests indicate the 225F's superior SIMD and vector processing capabilities.

Data encryption shows a -60.4% delta, with the 225F at 22648 and the 221TE at 8963. Single-thread performance in PassMark shows a -60.6% delta, with scores of 4397 and 1734. The physics test shows a -59.8% delta, with the 225F at 2430 and the 221TE at 977.

Multi-threaded PassMark performance shows a -57.1% delta, with scores of 31004 and 13301. Cinebench R15 multi-core and R20 multi-core both show -57.2% and -57.1% deltas respectively, with scores of 2660 versus 1139 and 11059 versus 4748. Cinebench R20 single-core also shows -57.1%, with scores of 1561 and 670.

Random string sorting shows a -54.6% delta, with the 225F at 37325 and the 221TE at 16929. Data compression shows a -49.6% delta, with scores of 310843 and 156682. Integer math shows a -36.3% delta, with the 225F at 66417 and the 221TE at 42303.

Cinebench R23 shows the smallest margins. Multi-core shows a -31.3% delta, with the 225F at 16467 and the 221TE at 11305. Single-core shows a -15.7% delta, with scores of 1893 and 1596. The R23 single-core result is the closest any test comes to parity, suggesting that the 221TE's single-core performance is comparatively closer to the 225F than its multi-core performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F supports only DDR5.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A).

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: Both processors have 10 cores. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F has 10 threads.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE uses a 10 nm process from Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth rating?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 76.8 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural families. The Intel Core 5 221TE is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, codenamed Bartlett Lake, and belongs to the Core 5 generation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F uses the Arrow Lake architecture, codenamed Arrow Lake-S, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation.

The manufacturing process differs significantly. The 221TE uses a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, while the 225F uses a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC. The 225F also carries a transistor count of 17,800 million, while the 221TE has no recorded transistor count. The die sizes differ as well: the 221TE measures 215 mm², while the 225F measures 243 mm².

Cache hierarchies show notable differences. 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 225F has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The 225F offers more per-core cache at every level, but the 221TE offers more total L3 cache.

The socket situation differs entirely. The 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the 225F uses Intel Socket 1851. This means the two processors are not platform-compatible with each other.

PCIe capabilities differ. The 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 225F provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The 225F offers four additional PCIe lanes for expansion.

Memory support diverges on multiple fronts. The 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the 225F supports only DDR5. Memory bandwidth also differs, with the 221TE rated at 76.8 GB/s and the 225F at 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory support exists on the 221TE but not on the 225F.

The integrated graphics situation separates the two clearly. The 221TE includes UHD Graphics 730, while the 225F has no integrated graphics at all. For systems without a discrete GPU, the 221TE offers a functional display output option.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Threads: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 16 threads, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F has 10 threads.
• Base clock: The 221TE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz, the 225F has a base clock of 3.30 GHz.
• Boost clock: The 221TE has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, the 225F has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.
• TDP: The 221TE has a TDP of 45 watts, the 225F has a TDP of 65 watts.
• Socket: The 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, the 225F uses Intel Socket 1851.
• Process node: The 221TE uses 10 nm, the 225F uses 3 nm.
• Foundry: The 221TE is fabricated by Intel, the 225F by TSMC.
• Die size: The 221TE measures 215 mm², the 225F measures 243 mm².
• L1 cache: The 221TE has 80 KB per core, the 225F has 192 KB per core.
• L2 cache: The 221TE has 1.25 MB per core, the 225F has 3 MB per core.
• L3 cache: The 221TE has 24 MB shared, the 225F has 20 MB shared.
• Memory support: The 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, the 225F supports DDR5 only.
• Memory bandwidth: The 221TE has 76.8 GB/s, the 225F has 102.4 GB/s.
• ECC memory: The 221TE supports ECC, the 225F does not.
• PCIe lanes: The 221TE has 16 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), the 225F has 20 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).
• Integrated graphics: The 221TE has UHD Graphics 730, the 225F has N/A.
• Transistor count: The 221TE has no recorded value, the 225F has 17,800 million.
• Launch MSRP: The 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232, the 225F has a launch MSRP of $231.
• Release date: The 221TE was released on 2025-01-12, the 225F on 2025-01-06.
• Part number: The 221TE is SRVQS, the 225F is SRQD2SRVF9.