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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture: the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H wins every single head-to-head comparison, taking all 17 recorded tests. The Intel Core 5 221TE does not register a single victory. The margin is substantial across every workload category, ranging from a 43% deficit for the 221TE in PassMark integer math to a 75.3% shortfall in the find prime numbers test.

Starting with multi-core rendering, the gap is consistent and large. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 5 235H scores 25,598 versus 11,305 for the 221TE, a 55.8% difference. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the 235H posts 10,751 against 4,748, again a 55.8% delta. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 2,580 versus 1,139, a 55.9% gap. These near-identical percentage differences across all three Cinebench versions indicate a consistent scaling advantage in heavily threaded workloads.

Single-core performance tells a similar story with even larger margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 235H scores 3,613 against 1,596, a 55.8% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1,517 versus 670, and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 364 versus 160, both also at roughly a 56% delta. The PassMark single-thread test confirms this trend, with the 235H at 4,359 versus 1,734, a 60.2% lead.

The largest percentage gap appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the 235H scores 239 versus 59, a 75.3% advantage. This test heavily rewards integer throughput and memory latency characteristics. Floating-point performance is also strongly in favor of the 235H: 93,509 versus 31,661 in PassMark floating point math, a 66.1% delta. Data encryption shows a 61.2% gap (23,121 versus 8,963), while extended instructions show a 58.7% difference (23,354 versus 9,655).

In more mixed or memory-bound workloads, the margins narrow but remain one-sided. PassMark data compression shows a 48.1% lead for the 235H (301,979 versus 156,682). Integer math is the closest test at 43% (74,247 versus 42,303). Random string sorting shows a 53.2% gap (36,208 versus 16,929), and multithread performance is 55.8% in favor of the 235H (30,091 versus 13,301). Physics simulation in PassMark shows a 50.8% lead for the 235H (1,985 versus 977).

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data does not assign any workload category to the Intel Core 5 221TE. Across all 17 benchmark tests, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H holds the advantage without exception. This includes rendering workloads in Cinebench, integer and floating-point math in PassMark, data compression, encryption, physics simulation, string sorting, and single-threaded tasks.

The 221TE does keep the gap relatively smaller in certain areas. Its closest result is in PassMark integer math, where it trails by 43%, and data compression, where it trails by 48.1%. These are workloads that can partially scale with the 221TE's 10 cores and 16 threads, even though the 235H's architecture still prevails.

The Ultra 5 235H shows its strongest relative dominance in prime number calculation, floating-point math, and single-threaded tests. The physics test, random string sorting, and multithread results all sit in a similar range around 51% to 56% ahead. The overall average benchmark score for the 235H is 37,522, placing it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The 221TE averages 17,860 and sits at the 71st percentile.

The rival comparisons reinforce this hierarchy. The 221TE lands near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, which averages 17,891, a 0.2% difference in favor of the AMD part. The Ultra 5 235H, by contrast, sits alongside the Intel Core i9-13900HK, which averages 37,425, and the Intel Core i5-13600K at 37,685. The 235H is 0.3% behind the i9-13900HK and 0.4% ahead of the i5-13600K. These are different performance classes entirely.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and target different market segments. The Intel Core 5 221TE is a desktop part built on Bartlett Lake, using a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform and carries a 45 W TDP. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H is a mobile processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, codenamed Arrow Lake-H, fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC. It uses Intel BGA 2049 and has a 28 W TDP.

Core and thread counts differ meaningfully. The 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating hyperthreading support. The 235H has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning no hyperthreading on its core configuration. Despite having fewer threads, the 235H achieves significantly higher scores in both single and multi-threaded workloads.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The 221TE provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The 235H offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The 235H has larger per-core caches but a smaller shared L3 pool.

Memory support differs as well. The 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration with a maximum bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The 235H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but reaches 102.4 GB/s and does not support ECC. PCIe connectivity is another split: the 221TE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the 235H offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ substantially. The 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the 235H uses Arc Graphics 140T. The 235H's graphics solution is from Intel's Arc family, which is a different product tier than the UHD series.

The 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232. The 235H has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors are listed as active in production and were released on the same date. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H has 14 cores, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221TE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the 221TE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H does not.

Q: What is the largest benchmark gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 235H leads by 75.3% (239 versus 59).

Q: Are these processors on the same manufacturing node?

A: No. The 221TE uses a 10 nm process at Intel, while the 235H uses a 3 nm process at TSMC.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Ultra 5 235H has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, compared to 76.8 GB/s for the 221TE.

Q: Do both processors have the same boost clock?

A: Yes, both list a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221TE | Intel Core Ultra 5 235H |

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

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base clock | 1.80 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2049 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-H |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| 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) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

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

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 8 Lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Graphics 140T |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Part number | SRVQS | SRQAP |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | Not recorded |