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

The Intel Core 5 221TE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T are both active desktop processors from Intel, but they belong to different generations and target different performance tiers. The Core 5 221TE is a Bartlett Lake part on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, while the Core Ultra 5 235T is an Arrow Lake-S part on the Intel Socket 1851 platform. The database shows a clear and consistent performance gap between the two, with the Core Ultra 5 235T winning every single head-to-head benchmark in the comparison set.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive victory for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Core 5 221TE does not win a single comparison.

In Cinebench testing, the Core Ultra 5 235T demonstrates dominance in both multi-core and single-core workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 235T scores 2644 against 1139 for the Core 5 221TE, a margin of 56.9 percent. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap, with the Core Ultra 5 235T scoring 373 versus 160 for the Core 5 221TE, a 57.1 percent difference. Cinebench R20 multi-core continues the trend: 11017 for the Core Ultra 5 235T and 4748 for the Core 5 221TE, again a 56.9 percent gap. The R20 single-core result is 1555 against 670, also a 56.9 percent difference. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 235T posts 26232, while the Core 5 221TE manages 11305, a 56.9 percent lead. The R23 single-core test shows 3703 versus 1596, a 56.9 percent difference as well.

The PassMark suite reinforces the same hierarchy. The largest single margin appears in the find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 5 235T scores 318 and the Core 5 221TE scores 59, a gap of 81.4 percent. Floating point math shows a 70.3 percent gap, with scores of 106546 and 31661 respectively. Data encryption is another major difference, with the Core Ultra 5 235T scoring 23457 versus 8963 for the Core 5 221TE, a 61.8 percent lead. Single-thread performance in PassMark favors the Core Ultra 5 235T by 60 percent, with scores of 4339 and 1734. Extended instructions show a 58.4 percent gap, with the Core Ultra 5 235T at 23212 and the Core 5 221TE at 9655. The multithread test gives the Core Ultra 5 235T a 57 percent lead, scoring 30918 against 13301.

Other PassMark results also show substantial margins. Integer math scores are 84244 for the Core Ultra 5 235T and 42303 for the Core 5 221TE, a 49.8 percent gap. Data compression shows a 46.9 percent difference, with scores of 295100 and 156682. Random string sorting favors the Core Ultra 5 235T by 52.1 percent, with 35377 against 16929. The physics test shows a 54.7 percent lead for the Core Ultra 5 235T, scoring 2157 versus 977.

The average benchmark score in the database reflects this overall separation. The Core Ultra 5 235T has an average benchmark score of 38561, while the Core 5 221TE sits at 17860. The Core Ultra 5 235T places in the 86th percentile among all CPUs, while the Core 5 221TE places in the 71st percentile.

The nearest rivals in the database provide context for each processor. The Core 5 221TE is closely matched with the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, which has an average score of 17891 and sits 0.2 percent higher. The Intel Core 5 120U scores 17898, also 0.2 percent above the Core 5 221TE. The Intel Core 7 350 scores 17779, which is 0.5 percent lower. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 scores 17994, 0.7 percent higher than the Core 5 221TE. For the Core Ultra 5 235T, the Intel Core i5-14500 scores 38531, which is 0.1 percent lower. The Intel Xeon w3-2525 scores 38392, 0.4 percent lower. The Intel Core 9 270H scores 38335, 0.6 percent lower. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H scores 38312, 0.7 percent lower.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T scores 26232 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core 5 221TE scores 11305. The Core Ultra 5 235T leads by 56.9 percent.

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

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T scores 4339, while the Intel Core 5 221TE scores 1734. That is a 60 percent advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235T. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a similar pattern, with scores of 3703 and 1596 respectively, a 56.9 percent gap.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest margin in the benchmark set is in the PassMark find prime numbers test. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T scores 318, and the Intel Core 5 221TE scores 59, which is an 81.4 percent difference.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T has an average benchmark score of 38561, compared to 17860 for the Intel Core 5 221TE. The Core Ultra 5 235T also sits in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 221TE sits in the 71st percentile.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221TE win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. In the recorded head-to-head benchmark set, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T wins all 17 tests, and the Intel Core 5 221TE wins none.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The database shows the Core Ultra 5 235T is closely grouped with the Intel Core i5-14500, which is 0.1 percent lower in average score, the Intel Xeon w3-2525 at 0.4 percent lower, the Intel Core 9 270H at 0.6 percent lower, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H at 0.7 percent lower.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for system builders deciding between these two processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T is the faster processor in every measured workload. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 26232 is more than double the 11305 posted by the Intel Core 5 221TE. The single-core advantage is also substantial, with a 56.9 percent gap in Cinebench R23 single-core.

For workloads that involve data compression, encryption, or integer math, the Core Ultra 5 235T holds clear advantages of 46.9 percent, 61.8 percent, and 49.8 percent respectively. The Core 5 221TE, by contrast, falls into a lower performance tier. Its average benchmark score of 17860 places it near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, the Intel Core 5 120U, the Intel Core 7 350, and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600, all within a range of 0.7 percent.

The Core Ultra 5 235T, with an average score of 38561, sits alongside the Intel Core i5-14500, the Intel Xeon w3-2525, the Intel Core 9 270H, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H. In the 86th percentile of all CPUs, it is positioned well above the Core 5 221TE, which sits in the 71st percentile. The benchmark results indicate that the Core Ultra 5 235T is the appropriate choice for workloads that depend on both multi-threaded throughput and single-thread responsiveness, while the Core 5 221TE serves a lower performance tier within the desktop market.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several core specifications. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Core 5 221TE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz, and the Core Ultra 5 235T has a base clock of 2.20 GHz. Both processors share a 5.00 GHz boost clock.

Thermal design power differs as well. The Core 5 221TE is rated at 45 watts, while the Core Ultra 5 235T is rated at 65 watts. The socket platforms are not interchangeable: the Core 5 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Core Ultra 5 235T uses Intel Socket 1851.

Memory support also differs. The Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 235T supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Core Ultra 5 235T, rated at 102.4 GB/s, compared to 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5 221TE but not on the Core Ultra 5 235T.

PCIe lane counts differ. The Core 5 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 5 235T provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, and the Core Ultra 5 235T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU.

Both processors are active in production status and have locked multipliers. The Core 5 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232, and the Core Ultra 5 235T has a launch MSRP of $247. The Core 5 221TE was released on January 12, 2025, and the Core Ultra 5 235T was released on January 6, 2025.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between the two processors is significant. The Intel Core 5 221TE is built on the Bartlett Lake codename, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T uses the Arrow Lake-S codename and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2. The Core 5 221TE is manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 235T is manufactured on a 3 nm process at TSMC.

Die size and transistor count also differ. The Core 5 221TE has a die size of 215 mm², and the Core Ultra 5 235T has a die size of 243 mm². The Core Ultra 5 235T uses 17,800 million transistors, while the transistor count for the Core 5 221TE is not recorded in the database.

Cache structures show notable differences. The Core 5 221TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The Core Ultra 5 235T has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core. Both processors share 24 MB of L3 cache. The larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations on the Core Ultra 5 235T align with its higher per-core performance in the benchmark data.

The core and thread counts reflect different design strategies. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating that some cores support additional threads. The Core Ultra 5 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads, with no threading advantage beyond the core count. Despite having fewer threads than the Core 5 221TE would need to match on a thread-for-thread basis, the Core Ultra 5 235T still wins every multi-threaded benchmark by a large margin. The combination of a smaller process node, larger cache per core, and higher base clock contributes to that result.

The memory controller also differs. The Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, which suggests a platform designed for broader memory compatibility. The Core Ultra 5 235T supports DDR5 only, paired with a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Core 5 221TE includes ECC support, a feature absent from the Core Ultra 5 235T. These architectural decisions position the Core 5 221TE for systems that require legacy memory support or ECC, while the Core Ultra 5 235T aims at higher bandwidth and raw performance. The benchmark results confirm that the newer Arrow Lake architecture, built on the 3 nm TSMC process, delivers a substantial performance advantage over the 10 nm Bartlett Lake design in every recorded test.