Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 228V Comparison

Intel Core 5 221TE and Intel Core Ultra 5 228V occupy different corners of the Intel lineup, and the benchmark data reflects that split clearly. The Core 5 221TE is a desktop part built for sustained throughput, while the Core Ultra 5 228V is a mobile processor designed for efficiency and single-thread responsiveness. The recorded results show a 15 to 2 win split in favor of the Core Ultra 5 228V, but the two wins for the Core 5 221TE are significant in specific workloads. The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 228V is 21440, compared to 17860 for the Core 5 221TE, a gap that places the mobile chip in the 75th percentile versus the 71st for the desktop chip.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 228V dominates the majority of the tested workloads, taking 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. Its wins are concentrated in single-thread performance, floating-point math, encryption, and memory-intensive tasks. The data shows a 54.8% lead in PassMark single-thread performance, a 40.6% lead in floating-point math, and a 31.2% lead in data encryption. These results indicate the Core Ultra 5 228V is the stronger choice for interactive use, everyday applications, and tasks that rely on quick response times rather than raw multi-core output.

The Core 5 221TE wins only two tests, but both are meaningful. It takes the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a 13.8% advantage, and it wins PassMark integer math with a 6.6% lead. The R23 multi-core result is particularly important because it shows the desktop chip can outperform the mobile chip in a sustained, heavily threaded render workload. The integer math win suggests the Core 5 221TE handles certain instruction streams more efficiently, likely benefiting from its higher thread count and larger L3 cache. For workloads that are purely integer-based and multi-threaded, the Core 5 221TE is the better option.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs. The Core 5 221TE is built on Intel's 10 nm process and uses the Bartlett Lake codename, while the Core Ultra 5 228V uses a 3 nm process from TSMC and is based on Lunar Lake architecture. The process node difference is stark, with the mobile chip using a smaller, more advanced fabrication process that enables higher efficiency per watt.

Core counts also diverge significantly. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The desktop chip supports simultaneous multithreading, while the mobile chip does not. This explains why the Core 5 221TE can win in multi-threaded integer work despite lower clock speeds. The cache hierarchy is different as well. The Core 5 221TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 228V has much larger per-core caches at 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2, but only 8 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the mobile chip help with single-thread performance, while the larger shared L3 on the desktop chip helps with multi-threaded workloads that share data.

Memory support also differs. The Core 5 221TE uses DDR4 or DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 5 228V also uses dual-channel memory, but the support details are listed as dependent on the motherboard, with no bandwidth figure recorded and no ECC support. The desktop part also provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the mobile part provides only 4. The integrated graphics differ, with the Core 5 221TE using UHD Graphics 730 and the Core Ultra 5 228V using Arc 130V.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the Core Ultra 5 228V comes in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 3836 against 1734 for the Core 5 221TE, a 54.8% advantage. This is a massive gap and reflects the mobile chip's much higher base clock of 2.10 GHz against 1.80 GHz, as well as its smaller process node and larger per-core cache. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Core Ultra 5 228V scores 267 against 160, a 40.1% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 26.9% lead for the mobile chip, with scores of 916 versus 670.

The Core Ultra 5 228V also wins the multi-threaded PassMark tests by a wide margin. PassMark multithread shows 18227 versus 13301, a 27% lead, and PassMark physics shows 1538 versus 977, a 36.5% lead. Floating-point math is another strong area for the mobile chip, with 53310 versus 31661, a 40.6% lead. Data encryption goes to the Core Ultra 5 228V at 13032 versus 8963, a 31.2% lead, and extended instructions show 14801 versus 9655, a 34.8% lead. Random string sorting also favors the mobile chip, with 21254 versus 16929, a 20.3% lead. Data compression shows a smaller but still decisive 9.9% win for the Core Ultra 5 228V.

The Core 5 221TE's wins are narrower. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 11305 against 9932, a 13.8% lead. This is the only Cinebench multi-core test it wins, as it loses R15 multi-core by 24.2% and R20 multi-core by 26.9%. The PassMark integer math win is 6.6%, with 42303 versus 39679. The desktop chip's higher thread count and larger L3 cache likely contribute to these two victories, though the overall trend still favors the mobile chip in most scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has an average benchmark score of 21440, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has an average of 17860.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-thread performance?

A: The Core Ultra 5 228V wins all single-thread tests, including a 54.8% lead in PassMark single-thread and a 40.1% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core.

Q: Does the Core 5 221TE win any multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a 13.8% lead and PassMark integer math with a 6.6% lead, but it loses Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 228V does not.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The Core 5 221TE uses a 10 nm process from Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 228V uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The base clock is 1.80 GHz for the desktop chip and 2.10 GHz for the mobile chip. The boost clock is 5.00 GHz for the Core 5 221TE and 4.50 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 228V. The thermal design power is 45 watts for the desktop chip and 17 watts for the mobile chip, a major efficiency difference.

The socket is different, with the Core 5 221TE using Intel Socket 1700 and the Core Ultra 5 228V using Intel BGA 2833. The process node is 10 nm for the desktop chip and 3 nm for the mobile chip, with the mobile chip fabricated by TSMC rather than Intel. The die size is 215 mm² for the Core 5 221TE, while no die size is recorded for the Core Ultra 5 228V. The cache configuration shows larger per-core L1 and L2 on the mobile chip, but much larger shared L3 on the desktop chip, 24 MB versus 8 MB.

Memory support differs, with the Core 5 221TE supporting DDR4 and DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC, while the Core Ultra 5 228V has memory support listed as dependent on the motherboard with no bandwidth figure and no ECC. PCIe lanes are 16 Gen 5 lanes for the desktop chip versus 4 Gen 5 lanes for the mobile chip. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 5 221TE and Arc 130V for the Core Ultra 5 228V. The market segment is Desktop for the Core 5 221TE and Mobile for the Core Ultra 5 228V. The release dates are January 2025 for the desktop chip and September 2024 for the mobile chip.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear use-case split. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is the stronger processor for most tasks, particularly those that benefit from single-thread speed and efficiency. Its 54.8% lead in single-thread performance, 40.6% lead in floating-point math, and 27% lead in PassMark multithread make it the better choice for general productivity, web browsing, and applications that are not heavily multi-threaded. Its 17 watt TDP and 3 nm process also make it suitable for mobile systems where power consumption matters.

The Intel Core 5 221TE is the better choice for specific workloads that favor its 16 threads and larger 24 MB L3 cache. The 13.8% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core and the 6.6% win in integer math show that sustained, heavily threaded integer workloads benefit from the desktop chip's architecture. Its 45 watt TDP and Socket 1700 compatibility make it a desktop part, and its ECC memory support adds reliability for certain professional or server-like use cases. The Core Ultra 5 228V is the overall winner in the benchmark database, but the Core 5 221TE remains relevant for users who prioritize multi-threaded integer throughput over everything else.