Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235A Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive performance gap between these two processors. Across all 17 benchmark comparisons, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A takes the win. The Intel Core 5 221TE does not win a single test in this dataset.

The most dramatic separation appears in the PassMark prime number test. The Core Ultra 5 235A scores 392, which is 84.9% ahead of the Core 5 221TE's score of 59. This is the largest proportional delta in the entire comparison. In floating point math, the Ultra part scores 118778 versus 31661, a 73.3% advantage. The data encryption test shows a 70.3% gap, with scores of 30136 and 8963 respectively.

The Cinebench results follow a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 235A records 32633 points against 11305 for the Core 5 221TE, a 65.4% difference. The single-core R23 result is 4607 versus 1596, also 65.4% ahead. The same delta of 65.4% appears across Cinebench R15 multi-core (3289 vs 1139), R15 single-core (464 vs 160), R20 multi-core (13705 vs 4748), and R20 single-core (1934 vs 670). This uniform percentage across the Cinebench suite suggests a consistent per-core performance advantage rather than a scaling artifact.

In integer math, the Core Ultra 5 235A scores 88626, which is 52.3% ahead of the Core 5 221TE's 42303. This is the narrowest measured gap. The PassMark multi-thread score shows a 65.4% lead for the Ultra part with 38392 points versus 13301. The single-thread PassMark score is 4557 versus 1734, a 61.9% delta.

The physics test records 2437 for the Core Ultra 5 235A versus 977 for the Core 5 221TE, a 59.9% lead. Extended instructions show a 69.5% gap with scores of 31625 and 9655. Random string sorting favors the Ultra part by 65.8% with scores of 49489 and 16929. Data compression shows a 60.2% advantage, 393800 versus 156682.

The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 235A is 48201, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 5 221TE averages 17860, which lands in the 71st percentile. The nearest rival to the Core 5 221TE is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17891, a delta of only 0.2%. The nearest rival to the Core Ultra 5 235A is the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 at 48171, also a 0.1% delta. These tight rival margins confirm both parts sit at the expected performance level for their respective tiers.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use distinct manufacturing approaches. The Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The Core Ultra 5 235A uses the Arrow Lake-S codename with the Arrow Lake architecture, fabricated on a 3 nm node by TSMC.

The transistor counts differ substantially. The Core Ultra 5 235A integrates 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core 5 221TE's database entry does not list a transistor count, but its die measures 215 mm². The smaller process node allows the Core Ultra 5 235A to pack more transistors into a larger physical die.

Core configuration differs in both count and threading behavior. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating that six of its cores support simultaneous multithreading. The Core Ultra 5 235A has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning no cores share execution resources through multithreading. Despite having fewer threads than the Core 5 221TE's 16, the Core Ultra 5 235A's 14 physical cores deliver far higher throughput in every multi-threaded test recorded.

Cache hierarchy shows a step up in per-core resources. The Core 5 221TE provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. The Core Ultra 5 235A offers 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core. Both share a 24 MB L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra part likely contribute to its substantial single-thread advantage in the recorded benchmarks.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235A supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the memory bandwidth figures diverge: 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE versus 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 5 235A. The Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235A does not.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 5 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 235A provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The integrated graphics are different models: UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 221TE versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU on the Core Ultra 5 235A.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A scores 4607 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core 5 221TE scores 1596. The Ultra part leads by 65.4%.

Q: Does the Core 5 221TE win any benchmark comparisons in the recorded data?

A: No. The Core Ultra 5 235A wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons in the dataset.

Q: How do the two processors compare in core and thread counts?

A: The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 5 235A has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Ultra part has more physical cores but no multithreading, while the Core 5 part has fewer cores but more threads overall.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Core Ultra 5 235A supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, with bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE and 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 5 235A.

Q: Which processor is built on the smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235A uses a 3 nm process from TSMC. The Core 5 221TE uses a 10 nm process from Intel.

Q: Where does each processor rank among all CPUs in the database?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235A sits in the 90th percentile with an average benchmark score of 48201. The Core 5 221TE sits in the 71st percentile with an average benchmark score of 17860.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors in the database:

• Cores: 10 for the Core 5 221TE, 14 for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• Threads: 16 for the Core 5 221TE, 14 for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• Base clock: 1.80 GHz for the Core 5 221TE, 3.40 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• TDP: 45 for the Core 5 221TE, 65 for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 5 221TE, Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• Process node: 10 nm for the Core 5 221TE, 3 nm for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• Foundry: Intel for the Core 5 221TE, TSMC for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• Die size: 215 mm² for the Core 5 221TE, 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• L1 cache per core: 80 KB for the Core 5 221TE, 192 KB for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• L2 cache per core: 1.25 MB for the Core 5 221TE, 3 MB for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• Memory support: DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 5 221TE, DDR5 only for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• Memory bandwidth: 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE, 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• ECC memory: supported on the Core 5 221TE, not supported on the Core Ultra 5 235A
• PCIe lanes: 16 for the Core 5 221TE, 20 for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 5 221TE, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU for the Core Ultra 5 235A
• Launch MSRP: $232 for the Core 5 221TE, $269 for the Core Ultra 5 235A

Identical specifications include a 5.00 GHz boost clock, dual-channel memory bus, 24 MB shared L3 cache, Gen 5 PCIe, Desktop market segment, Active production status, and locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A wins every benchmark category in the recorded dataset. Its largest advantages appear in prime number computation, floating point math, extended instructions, and data encryption, where deltas range from 69.5% to 84.9%. These results indicate a substantial advantage in compute-heavy workloads that stress instruction throughput and arithmetic units.

The Core Ultra 5 235A also leads in the Cinebench suite by a uniform 65.4% across all tested versions, both single-core and multi-core. This consistency suggests the advantage comes from architectural efficiency rather than core count alone. The higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 1.80 GHz, combined with larger per-core caches, supports this interpretation.

The Core 5 221TE has no recorded wins in this comparison. Its advantages are structural rather than performance-based. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which provides flexibility for platforms with older memory types. It also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Core Ultra 5 235A. Its lower TDP of 45 watts versus 65 watts indicates a lower thermal envelope, which may suit compact systems. The LGA 1700 socket also connects to a different platform ecosystem than the LGA 1851 socket used by the Core Ultra 5 235A.

The percentile data places each part in a different performance class. The Core Ultra 5 235A at the 90th percentile sits near the top of the database, while the Core 5 221TE at the 71st percentile occupies a more mid-range position. The nearest rival data reinforces this tier separation: the Core 5 221TE competes with processors like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U, while the Core Ultra 5 235A sits alongside the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 and Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A outperforms the Intel Core 5 221TE by a wide margin in every measured test. The average benchmark score of 48201 versus 17860 represents roughly a 2.7x gap in overall throughput. The 90th percentile ranking versus the 71st percentile ranking places these processors in different market segments entirely.

The Core 5 221TE's advantages are platform-level rather than performance-level. ECC memory support, DDR4 compatibility, and a 45 watt TDP make it suitable for systems where those features matter more than raw throughput. The LGA 1700 socket connects to an established platform with broad board availability.

The Core Ultra 5 235A delivers the stronger performance profile across the board. Its 14 physical cores, 3 nm process node, higher base clock, larger caches, and higher memory bandwidth all contribute to its decisive benchmark results. The 90th percentile ranking confirms its position among the faster processors in the database.

For workloads that demand maximum compute throughput, single-thread responsiveness, or floating point performance, the recorded data points exclusively to the Core Ultra 5 235A. For systems requiring ECC memory, DDR4 support, or a lower thermal envelope, the Core 5 221TE offers those specific capabilities, albeit with substantially lower benchmark scores.