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

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T compare to the Intel Core 5 221TE in overall benchmark average?

A: The recorded data shows the Core Ultra 5 225T has an average benchmark score of 30468, while the Core 5 221TE sits at 17860. This places the Core Ultra 5 225T in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs, versus the 71st percentile for the Core 5 221TE.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins every single-core Cinebench test by a wide margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3101 versus 1596 for the Core 5 221TE, a delta of -48.5% from the perspective of the Core 5 221TE.

Q: Do both processors have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 10 physical cores. However, the Core 5 221TE supports 16 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 threads (no extra threading). Despite fewer threads, the Core Ultra 5 225T still dominates multi-threaded workloads.

Q: What is the difference in process node and foundry?

A: The Core 5 221TE is built on a 10 nm process at Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses a 3 nm process from TSMC. The die sizes also differ: 215 mm² for the Core 5 221TE and 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 5 225T, with the latter integrating 17,800 million transistors.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 225T does not list ECC support in the database. Both support dual-channel memory, but the Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 only.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 225T features Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The database does not provide direct benchmark comparisons for the iGPU, so the performance difference cannot be quantified here.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark table shows a clean sweep: the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins all 17 recorded comparisons. The Core 5 221TE has zero wins across all tests. This is not a close contest in any single metric.

The largest advantage for the Core Ultra 5 225T appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 284 versus 59, a delta of -79.2%. Floating-point math also shows a massive gap: 82751 versus 31661, a delta of -61.7%. Single-thread performance is similarly lopsided, with the Core Ultra 5 225T scoring 4348 in PassMark single-thread versus 1734 for the Core 5 221TE, a delta of -60.1%.

The smallest relative gaps are in integer math and data compression. In integer math, the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 59543 versus 42303, a delta of -29%. Data compression shows 233998 versus 156682, a delta of -33%. Even in its closest contests, the Core Ultra 5 225T remains roughly 30% ahead.

For users, this means the Core Ultra 5 225T is the superior choice for every measured workload, from Cinebench rendering to PassMark encryption and sorting tasks. The Core 5 221TE does not hold a single advantage in the recorded benchmark suite.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures. The Core 5 221TE is based on Bartlett Lake, while the Core Ultra 5 225T belongs to the Arrow Lake-S family under the Core Ultra Series 2 umbrella. The process nodes reflect this generational gap: 10 nm at Intel for the Core 5 221TE versus 3 nm at TSMC for the Core Ultra 5 225T.

Transistor counts and die sizes differ substantially. The Core Ultra 5 225T integrates 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 5 221TE has no recorded transistor count but uses a 215 mm² die. The smaller process node allows the Core Ultra 5 225T to pack more transistors into a slightly larger physical area.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The Core 5 221TE has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 225T uses 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 225T has larger per-core caches but less total L3.

Socket compatibility differs completely. The Core 5 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses Intel Socket 1851. PCIe lanes also differ: Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Core 5 221TE versus Gen 5 with 20 lanes for the Core Ultra 5 225T.

Memory architecture shows another split. The Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 only but with higher bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s. ECC support exists on the Core 5 221TE but not on the Core Ultra 5 225T.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221TE | Intel Core Ultra 5 225T |

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

| Threads | 16 | 10 |

| Base clock | 1.80 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process node | 10 nm (Intel) | 3 nm (TSMC) |

| Die size | 215 mm² | 243 mm² |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB per core | 3 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 24 MB shared | 20 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 20 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU |

| Release date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-12-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | Not recorded |

The core count is identical at 10, but the Core 5 221TE has 16 threads versus 10 for the Core Ultra 5 225T. Base clocks favor the Core Ultra 5 225T at 2.50 GHz versus 1.80 GHz, while boost clocks are nearly equal at 4.90 GHz versus 5.00 GHz in favor of the Core 5 221TE. TDP is higher for the Core Ultra 5 225T at 65 W versus 45 W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The complete benchmark sweep favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T in all 17 recorded tests. The Cinebench suite shows consistent deltas around -48.5% across both multi-core and single-core tests. In Cinebench R23, the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 21971 multi-core versus 11305 for the Core 5 221TE. Single-core in the same test shows 3101 versus 1596.

PassMark results vary more widely. The most dramatic gap is in find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 225T achieves 284 versus 59, a delta of -79.2%. Floating-point math follows with 82751 versus 31661, a delta of -61.7%. Single-thread performance in PassMark shows 4348 versus 1734, a delta of -60.1%.

Data encryption shows a delta of -51%, with the Core Ultra 5 225T scoring 18289 versus 8963. Extended instructions show 20083 versus 9655, also a delta of -51.9%. Physics tests show 2053 versus 977, a delta of -52.4%. Random string sorting shows 28774 versus 16929, a delta of -41.2%.

The smallest deltas appear in integer math at -29% and data compression at -33%. Even these "small" gaps represent substantial performance advantages. PassMark multithread shows 25358 versus 13301, a delta of -47.5%.

The nearest rivals in the database contextualize these results. The Core Ultra 5 225T sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS with a delta of 0.3% and the Intel Core i9-11980HK with a delta of 0.2%. The Core 5 221TE sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with a delta of -0.2% and the Intel Core 5 120U with a delta of -0.2%. The gap between these two processors is roughly equivalent to the distance between a mid-range laptop chip and a high-end mobile H-series part.

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity: the Core Ultra 5 225T outperforms the Core 5 221TE in every measured metric, with the largest advantages in prime number finding, floating-point math, and single-thread workloads. The Core 5 221TE offers lower TDP and ECC support, but no benchmark advantage.