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

The Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX is the dominant processor in every recorded benchmark comparison. It wins all 17 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 56.5% to 83.7% in its favor. The Core 5 221TE does not win a single category. The data indicates the Core Ultra 5 235HX delivers roughly 2.9 times the average benchmark score of the Core 5 221TE, with an average score of 52073 versus 17860.

The Core Ultra 5 235HX sits at the 91st percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 221TE sits at the 71st percentile. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 8124P, AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, Intel Core i7-14700, and Intel Core i9-13900F, all within 0.7% of its average score. The Core 5 221TE competes in a different performance class, with nearest rivals including the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, Intel Core 5 120U, Intel Core 7 350, and AMD Ryzen 5 1600, all within 0.7% of its average score.

The Core Ultra 5 235HX is the clear choice for workloads that demand high multi-threaded throughput, single-thread responsiveness, and heavy compute tasks such as encryption, compression, and floating-point math. The Core 5 221TE is the appropriate pick for systems where its desktop platform characteristics, ECC memory support, and DDR4 compatibility are more relevant than peak performance. The 221TE uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, while the 235HX uses the mobile BGA 2114 package.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design families. The Core 5 221TE is built on the Bartlett Lake codename and uses a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The Core Ultra 5 235HX uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-HX, and is fabricated on a 3 nm process node by TSMC. The process node difference is substantial, with the 235HX using a smaller node that contributes to its higher efficiency and performance.

The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235HX has 14 cores and 14 threads. The 235HX has more physical cores but no hyper-threading, resulting in fewer total threads than the 221TE. Despite this, the 235HX delivers far higher multi-threaded scores, which indicates its core design and clock speeds more than compensate for the thread count difference.

Cache configurations differ meaningfully. 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 235HX has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and the same 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the 235HX support its higher instruction throughput.

The 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel access and 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. It also supports ECC memory. The 235HX supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth, which is 33.3% higher. ECC memory is not supported on the 235HX.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the 235HX uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 48 execution units. The 235HX also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, compared to 16 lanes on the 221TE. The 235HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the 221TE does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 235HX wins every recorded benchmark category. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 34731 versus 11305, a 67.4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 4903 versus 1596, also a 67.4% advantage. These results show the 235HX is the stronger choice for both heavily threaded rendering workloads and lightly threaded applications.

The 235HX also dominates in data-related tasks. It scores 426417 in Passmark data compression versus 156682, a 63.3% lead. In data encryption, it scores 32697 versus 8963, a 72.6% lead. In extended instructions, it scores 34808 versus 9655, a 72.3% lead. In floating-point math, it scores 129819 versus 31661, a 75.6% lead. In integer math, it scores 97177 versus 42303, a 56.5% lead.

The largest single margin is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the 235HX scores 361 versus 59, an 83.7% advantage. The smallest margin is in integer math at 56.5%, which still represents a decisive lead. The 235HX also leads in Passmark multithread with 40849 versus 13301, in physics with 2550 versus 977, and in random string sorting with 50929 versus 16929.

The Core 5 221TE has no benchmark category where it outperforms the 235HX. Its value lies in platform attributes, such as desktop Socket 1700 compatibility, ECC memory support, and DDR4 memory support, rather than raw benchmark scores. The 221TE also has a launch MSRP of $232, while the 235HX has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

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

Q: Which processor has higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX scores 4903 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1596 for the Core 5 221TE, a 67.4% advantage.

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

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

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235HX has 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Core 5 221TE has 76.8 GB/s.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235HX uses a 3 nm process node from TSMC, while the Core 5 221TE uses a 10 nm process node from Intel.

Q: What is the core count and thread count of each processor?

A: The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 5 235HX has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The most decisive victory is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the 235HX scores 361 versus 59, a delta of 83.7%. This test highlights the 235HX's superior integer arithmetic and branch handling.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 235HX scores 34731 against 11305, a 67.4% lead. This is the most widely referenced multi-threaded benchmark in the database, and the margin confirms the 235HX is in a different performance tier. The Cinebench R23 single-core result shows 4903 versus 1596, also a 67.4% lead. The consistency of the delta across multi-core and single-core tests indicates the 235HX's advantage comes from its core design and clock speeds, not just core count.

The Passmark data compression test shows 426417 versus 156682, a 63.3% lead. Data encryption shows 32697 versus 8963, a 72.6% lead. Extended instructions show 34808 versus 9655, a 72.3% lead. Floating-point math shows 129819 versus 31661, a 75.6% lead. Integer math shows 97177 versus 42303, a 56.5% lead, which is the smallest margin in the entire comparison.

Passmark multithread shows 40849 versus 13301, a 67.4% lead. Passmark physics shows 2550 versus 977, a 61.7% lead. Passmark random string sorting shows 50929 versus 16929, a 66.8% lead. Passmark single-thread shows 4683 versus 1734, a 63% lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 3500 versus 1139, a 67.5% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 494 versus 160, a 67.6% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 14587 versus 4748, a 67.5% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 2059 versus 670, a 67.5% lead.

The deltas are remarkably uniform across the Cinebench suite, clustering between 67.4% and 67.6%. The Passmark suite shows wider variation, from 56.5% in integer math to 83.7% in prime number finding. This suggests the 235HX has particularly strong performance in specialized compute tasks, while its general-purpose lead remains consistently above 56% in every test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Core 5 221TE uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 235HX uses Intel BGA 2114. The 221TE is a desktop part, while the 235HX is a mobile part.

The manufacturing process differs: the 221TE uses 10 nm from Intel, while the 235HX uses 3 nm from TSMC. The 235HX has 17,800 million transistors and a die size of 243 mm². The 221TE has no recorded transistor count and a die size of 215 mm².

Core and thread counts differ: 10 cores and 16 threads for the 221TE, versus 14 cores and 14 threads for the 235HX. Base clocks are 1.80 GHz for the 221TE and 2.90 GHz for the 235HX. Boost clocks are 5.00 GHz for the 221TE and 5.10 GHz for the 235HX. TDP is 45 watts for the 221TE and 55 watts for the 235HX.

Cache hierarchies differ: the 221TE has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while the 235HX has 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core. Both share 24 MB of L3 cache. Memory support differs: the 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the 235HX supports only DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s for the 221TE and 102.4 GB/s for the 235HX. ECC memory is supported on the 221TE but not on the 235HX.

PCIe lanes differ: 16 Gen 5 lanes for the 221TE, 20 Gen 5 lanes for the 235HX. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 for the 221TE, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU for the 235HX. The multiplier is locked on the 221TE and unlocked on the 235HX. The 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232; no launch MSRP is recorded for the 235HX.