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

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a decisive performance hierarchy between these two desktop processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245T wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 5 221TE, with no benchmark where the older part takes a single victory. The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 245T is 38,194, while the Core 5 221TE averages 17,860, a gap of roughly 114 percent in favor of the newer processor. The Core Ultra 5 245T also sits in the 86th percentile of all CPUs in the database, compared to the 71st percentile for the Core 5 221TE.

The performance differential is consistent across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23, the Core Ultra 5 245T scores 26,208 in multi-core and 3,699 in single-core, versus 11,305 and 1,596 respectively for the Core 5 221TE. The delta percentages in the database show the Core 5 221TE trailing by 56.9 percent in both Cinebench R23 tests. This consistency suggests architectural advantages rather than workload-specific quirks. For users running render workloads, compilation tasks, or any parallel compute, the Core Ultra 5 245T is the clear choice based on the measured results.

The Core 5 221TE does have redeeming qualities in the data. Its launch MSRP is $232, and it uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which may be relevant for system builders with existing boards. The Core Ultra 5 245T has a launch MSRP of $270. The older chip also draws less power at 45 watts TDP versus 65 watts for the newer part. However, the benchmark scores do not indicate any performance area where the Core 5 221TE can compete. The single-thread PassMark score for the Core 5 221TE is 1,734, while the Core Ultra 5 245T reaches 4,367, a 60.3 percent deficit for the older chip.

The Core Ultra 5 245T delivers substantially higher throughput in every measured category. The data encryption test shows the Core Ultra 5 245T scoring 23,656 versus 8,963, a 62.1 percent advantage. Floating point math shows a 70.8 percent gap, with scores of 108,499 and 31,661 respectively. The find prime numbers test is the most lopsided, with the Core Ultra 5 245T at 324 and the Core 5 221TE at 59, an 81.8 percent difference. These results indicate that the Core Ultra 5 245T is the appropriate processor for compute-heavy desktop workloads, while the Core 5 221TE serves the lower-power segment without pretending to match the newer part's output.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245T has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Core 5 221TE has more threads than cores, indicating hyper-threading support, whereas the Core Ultra 5 245T matches cores to threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 245T scores 26,208 versus 11,305 for the Core 5 221TE, a 56.9 percent deficit for the older chip. The same delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where scores are 11,007 and 4,748 respectively.

Q: What memory standards does each processor support?

A: The Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 245T supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The memory bandwidth differs, with the Core Ultra 5 245T achieving 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 221TE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T have ECC memory support enabled in the recorded specifications.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245T boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz. The base clocks are 2.20 GHz and 1.80 GHz respectively.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 245T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The database does not provide benchmark scores for integrated graphics, so the comparison is limited to the listed component names.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing nodes and foundries. The Intel Core 5 221TE is built on a 10 nm process at Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T uses a 3 nm process at TSMC. The die sizes differ as well, with the Core 5 221TE measuring 215 mm² and the Core Ultra 5 245T measuring 243 mm². The newer part has a transistor count of 17,800 million, while the older chip does not have a recorded transistor count.

The codename and generation data separate these parts clearly. The Core 5 221TE belongs to the Bartlett Lake generation, whereas the Core Ultra 5 245T uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename. The Core Ultra 5 245T is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, a designation absent from the Core 5 221TE record.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core 5 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 Core Ultra 5 245T has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and also 24 MB of shared L3. The L3 capacity is identical, but the per-core L1 and L2 allocations are larger on the newer chip. With 14 cores on the Core Ultra 5 245T, the total L2 cache scales well beyond the 10-core part.

The socket interfaces differ completely. The Core 5 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 245T uses Intel Socket 1851. This means the two processors are not interchangeable in a motherboard, and system builders must choose a platform before selecting either chip. The PCIe support also differs: the Core 5 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 245T provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

The integrated graphics solutions are from different product families. The Core 5 221TE pairs with UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 245T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The newer Arc-branded graphics solution represents a different class of integrated GPU, though the database does not include graphics benchmarks for either part.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Both are locked parts, which limits overclocking potential. The production status for both is listed as Active, and both are desktop market segment parts.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ, with the Core Ultra 5 245T offering 14 cores and 14 threads versus 10 cores and 16 threads on the Core 5 221TE. The base clock is 2.20 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245T and 1.80 GHz on the Core 5 221TE. The boost clock is 5.10 GHz versus 5.00 GHz.

The thermal design power differs by 20 watts, with the Core 5 221TE rated at 45 watts TDP and the Core Ultra 5 245T rated at 65 watts TDP. The process node shows a 10 nm Intel process for the Core 5 221TE and a 3 nm TSMC process for the Core Ultra 5 245T. The die size is 215 mm² for the older chip and 243 mm² for the newer one.

Memory support is broader on the Core 5 221TE, which accepts DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 245T accepts DDR5 only. Memory bandwidth favors the newer part, with 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. Both support ECC memory and dual-channel configurations.

The PCIe lane count favors the Core Ultra 5 245T, which has 20 Gen 5 lanes compared to 16 Gen 5 lanes on the Core 5 221TE. The integrated graphics differ as noted, with UHD Graphics 730 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The sockets are incompatible, with Socket 1700 for the Core 5 221TE and Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 245T.

The launch MSRP for the Core 5 221TE is $232, and the launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 245T is $270. The part numbers are SRVQS for the Core 5 221TE and SRVFF for the Core Ultra 5 245T. The release dates are close, with the Core Ultra 5 245T recorded as 2025-01-06 and the Core 5 221TE as 2025-01-12.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 5 245T wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison set, with 17 wins and zero for the Core 5 221TE. The data shows the size of each victory, and the pattern is consistent across all workload types.

In Cinebench R15, the multi-core test shows the Core Ultra 5 245T at 2,641 versus 1,139 for the Core 5 221TE, a 56.9 percent deficit. The single-core test shows 372 versus 160, a 57 percent deficit. These early Cinebench versions indicate that the newer processor holds a large advantage even in legacy render workloads.

Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 11,007 against 4,748, again a 56.9 percent deficit. The single-core result is 1,553 versus 670, also 56.9 percent. Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern with 26,208 versus 11,305 in multi-core and 3,699 versus 1,596 in single-core. The consistency of the 56.9 percent figure across Cinebench generations suggests a structural performance difference, not a workload artifact.

PassMark integer math shows 88,676 for the Core Ultra 5 245T and 42,303 for the Core 5 221TE, a 52.3 percent deficit. Floating point math shows a larger gap, with 108,499 versus 31,661, a 70.8 percent deficit. The extended instructions test shows 22,071 versus 9,655, a 56.3 percent deficit. These results indicate that the newer processor handles both integer and floating point workloads with significantly higher throughput.

The find prime numbers test is the most dramatic difference. The Core Ultra 5 245T scores 324, while the Core 5 221TE scores 59, an 81.8 percent deficit. This test often reflects memory latency and cache efficiency, and the larger per-core L2 cache on the Core Ultra 5 245T may contribute to this result.

Data compression shows 283,812 for the Core Ultra 5 245T against 156,682 for the Core 5 221TE, a 44.8 percent deficit. Data encryption shows 23,656 versus 8,963, a 62.1 percent deficit. Random string sorting shows 34,931 versus 16,929, a 51.5 percent deficit. These throughput tests all favor the newer processor by substantial margins.

The multithread PassMark test shows 30,833 versus 13,301, a 56.9 percent deficit. The physics test shows 2,278 versus 977, a 57.1 percent deficit. The single-thread PassMark test shows 4,367 versus 1,734, a 60.3 percent deficit. The single-thread result is particularly relevant for everyday responsiveness, and the newer part leads by a wide margin.

The average benchmark score of 38,194 for the Core Ultra 5 245T places it near the AMD Ryzen 7 250, which scores 38,221, a 0.1 percent difference in favor of the AMD part. The Intel Core i5-14490F scores 38,149, a 0.1 percent difference in favor of the Core Ultra 5 245T. The Intel Core i5-13600HX scores 38,261, a 0.2 percent difference favoring that part, and the Intel Core i5-13600KF scores 38,103, a 0.2 percent difference favoring the Core Ultra 5 245T. These near-identical average scores place the Core Ultra 5 245T in a competitive cluster.

The Core 5 221TE average score of 17,860 sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17,891, a 0.2 percent difference favoring the AMD part. The Intel Core 5 120U scores 17,898, a 0.2 percent difference favoring that part. The Intel Core 7 350 scores 17,779, a 0.5 percent difference favoring the Core 5 221TE, and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 scores 17,994, a 0.7 percent difference favoring the AMD part. The Core 5 221TE thus performs in line with older mid-range parts, while the Core Ultra 5 245T performs in line with newer high-end parts.

The benchmark data shows no scenario where the Core 5 221TE closes the gap. The smallest deficit is in data compression at 44.8 percent, and the largest is in find prime numbers at 81.8 percent. Every recorded workload, from single-threaded to multi-threaded, from integer to floating point, favors the Core Ultra 5 245T. The performance classification in the database reflects this, with the Core Ultra 5 245T at the 86th percentile and the Core 5 221TE at the 71st percentile.