Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison

The Intel Core 5 221TE and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K occupy very different positions in the desktop processor landscape. The 221TE, built on the older Bartlett Lake architecture, serves as a lower-power option, while the 245K from the Core Ultra Series 2 is a high-performance part. The benchmark data reveals a decisive performance gap, with the 245K winning all 17 head-to-head comparisons. The following analysis details the scale of those differences, the architectural reasons behind them, and where each processor fits based on the recorded measurements.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a consistent and substantial victory for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K. The most significant margin appears in the PassMark extended instructions test, where the 245K scores 37617 against the 221TE's 9655, a delta of -74.3% for the 221TE. This indicates a massive advantage in workloads that leverage advanced instruction sets.

Multi-threaded performance follows a similar pattern. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the 245K delivers 15368 points versus 4748 for the 221TE, a 69.1% deficit. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows a slightly smaller gap, with the 245K scoring 25066 against 11305, a 54.9% difference. The PassMark multithread test confirms the trend: the 245K scores 43047 while the 221TE manages 13301, a 69.1% gap.

Single-thread performance also favors the 245K, though by a narrower margin. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the 245K scores 2132 versus 1596, a 25.1% advantage. The Cinebench R20 singlecore test shows a 69.1% gap, with scores of 2169 and 670 respectively. PassMark single thread results show the 245K at 4714 against 1734, a 63.2% lead.

Encryption and compression workloads heavily favor the 245K. The PassMark data encryption test shows a 73.1% gap, with scores of 33286 and 8963. Data compression shows a 65.9% gap, with the 245K scoring 458817 against 156682. Random string sorting, a memory-latency-sensitive test, shows a 69.3% gap, with scores of 55098 and 16929.

Compute-heavy integer and floating-point math workloads also demonstrate a clear hierarchy. The PassMark integer math test shows the 245K at 98524 versus 42303, a 57.1% gap. Floating point math shows a 75.8% gap, with the 245K scoring 130678 against 31661. The prime number search test shows the largest single gap, with the 245K scoring 414 against a mere 59, an 85.7% deficit for the 221TE. Physics simulation shows a 68.3% gap, with scores of 3081 and 977.

The average benchmark score for the 245K is 54053, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The 221TE has an average score of 17860, placing it in the 71st percentile. The 245K's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon 6505P at 53701, a 0.7% difference, while the 221TE sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891, a 0.2% difference. The data confirms the 245K operates in a higher performance tier entirely.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between the two processors is significant. The Core Ultra 5 245K uses the Arrow Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. The Core 5 221TE uses the older Bartlett Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process. This process difference contributes directly to the efficiency and performance disparity seen in the benchmarks.

The core configurations differ in structure. The 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads, indicating a design without hyper-threading. The 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, using hyper-threading to reach its thread count. The 245K compensates for its lack of threading with a higher core count and significantly higher clock speeds.

Cache allocation favors the 245K. The 245K has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core, compared to 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core on the 221TE. Both processors share a 24 MB L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the 245K help explain its advantage in single-threaded workloads.

Memory support differs. The 245K supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but its memory bandwidth is listed at 76.8 GB/s. The higher bandwidth of the 245K contributes to its performance in memory-intensive tasks like random string sorting.

Platform features also diverge. The 245K uses the Intel Socket 1851 and offers 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700 with 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The 245K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the 221TE is locked. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the 245K using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU and the 221TE using UHD Graphics 730.

Transistor count and die size show the manufacturing scale. The 245K contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The 221TE has no listed transistor count but uses a 215 mm² die. The 3 nm process allows the 245K to pack more transistors into a comparable die area.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: How does the power draw compare between the two?

A: The 245K has a TDP of 125 watts, while the 221TE has a TDP of 45 watts.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the 245K and the 221TE support ECC memory.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the benchmark data?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the 245K scores 414 against 59 for the 221TE, an 85.7% difference.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The 245K has 14 cores, while the 221TE has 10 cores. The 221TE has more threads at 16, compared to 14 for the 245K.

Q: What is the release timeline for these processors?

A: The 245K was released on 2024-10-23, and the 221TE was released on 2025-01-12.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 4.20 GHz for the 245K and 1.80 GHz for the 221TE. Boost clocks are 5.20 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively.

TDP ratings show a major difference: 125 watts for the 245K versus 45 watts for the 221TE. The socket types differ, with the 245K using Intel Socket 1851 and the 221TE using Intel Socket 1700. The architectures are Arrow Lake for the 245K and Bartlett Lake for the 221TE, with process nodes of 3 nm (TSMC) and 10 nm (Intel) respectively.

Cache specifications differ in per-core allocation. The 245K has 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core, while the 221TE has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core. L3 cache is identical at 24 MB shared. Memory support differs, with the 245K limited to DDR5 and the 221TE supporting DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s for the 245K and 76.8 GB/s for the 221TE.

PCIe lane counts differ, with 20 lanes for the 245K and 16 lanes for the 221TE. Integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the 245K and UHD Graphics 730 for the 221TE. The 245K has an unlocked multiplier, while the 221TE is locked. The 245K has a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the 221TE has a die size of 215 mm² with no listed transistor count. The 245K has a launch MSRP of $319, and the 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232. Part numbers are SRQCT for the 245K and SRVQS for the 221TE.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins in every measured benchmark category. Its strengths are most pronounced in extended instructions, floating-point math, and prime number search, where the performance gaps exceed 74%. The 245K's higher core count, larger caches, faster memory bandwidth, and higher clock speeds combine to deliver superior results in multi-threaded rendering, encryption, compression, and physics simulation. Its unlocked multiplier allows for additional performance tuning. The data shows this processor is well-suited for demanding desktop workloads where maximum throughput is the priority.

The Intel Core 5 221TE, despite losing all direct comparisons, has its own profile. Its 45 watt TDP is significantly lower than the 125 watt TDP of the 245K, indicating it is designed for power-conscious systems. The support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory provides flexibility for system builders with existing DDR4 memory. The 221TE's launch MSRP of $232 is lower than the 245K's $319, positioning it as a more accessible option. Its 71st percentile ranking still places it above the majority of CPUs in the database, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and the Intel Core 7 350. The 221TE is a capable desktop processor for users who prioritize lower power consumption and platform flexibility over raw performance.