Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32612, while the Intel Core 5 221TE reaches 11305. The 255HX leads by 65.3% in this test.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in single-threaded PassMark performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 4562 in PassMark single-thread, versus 1734 for the Intel Core 5 221TE. That is a 62% advantage for the 255HX.

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

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads. The 255HX thus has twice the core count but fewer threads than its core count.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX does not. The 221TE also supports both DDR4 and DDR5, whereas the 255HX supports only DDR5.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE is fabricated on a 10 nm process by Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX uses a 3 nm process from TSMC. The 255HX also has 17,800 million transistors versus no transistor count listed for the 221TE.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor record in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 5 221TE records zero wins.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the dominant performer across every measured workload. Its average benchmark score of 62738 places it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17860 and sits in the 71st percentile. The 255HX outperforms the 221TE by a wide margin in every single test, with deltas ranging from 26.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core to 85.2% in PassMark find prime numbers.

For users who require maximum multi-threaded throughput, the 255HX is the clear choice. It delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32612, which is nearly three times the 221TE's 11305. The 255HX also leads by 72.4% in Cinebench R20 multi-core and by 72.4% in PassMark multithread. These results indicate a processor built for heavy parallel workloads such as rendering, scientific computation, and content creation.

The Intel Core 5 221TE, however, has its own niche. It is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700 with a 45 TDP, compared to the 255HX's mobile BGA 2114 socket and 55 TDP. The 221TE supports ECC memory, which is critical for reliability-sensitive workstation or server environments. It also supports DDR4, allowing upgrades on existing platforms. Its lower power envelope and socket compatibility make it suitable for embedded or entry-level desktop builds where the extensive performance of the 255HX is not required.

Users who prioritize single-thread speed still land with the 255HX. It scores 2163 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1596 for the 221TE, a 26.2% gap. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the 255HX scores 327 versus 160, a 51.1% advantage. The 255HX also holds a 62% lead in PassMark single-thread. There is no workload category in the recorded data where the 221TE wins.

The verdict: the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the superior processor for virtually all performance-oriented tasks. The Intel Core 5 221TE is the appropriate choice only when ECC memory, DDR4 support, a desktop socket, or a lower TDP are mandatory constraints.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins all 17 recorded benchmarks, but the margin varies substantially by workload. The largest victory comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where the 255HX scores 400 versus 59 for the 221TE, a delta of 85.2%. This indicates a massive advantage in integer-heavy, latency-sensitive calculations.

In floating-point math, the 255HX scores 160624 against 31661, an 80.3% lead. The 255HX also dominates data encryption with a score of 39499 versus 8963, a 77.3% gap. Extended instructions show a 76.6% advantage (41247 vs 9655), and random string sorting delivers a 73% lead (62591 vs 16929).

Cinebench results follow a similar pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 255HX scores 4916 versus 1139, a 76.8% difference. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 17187 versus 4748, a 72.4% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core records 32612 versus 11305, a 65.3% advantage. The single-core Cinebench deltas are smaller but still decisive: 51.1% in R15 (327 vs 160), 72.4% in R20 (2426 vs 670), and 26.2% in R23 (2163 vs 1596).

PassMark multithread shows 48234 for the 255HX versus 13301 for the 221TE, a 72.4% lead. PassMark physics follows at 2926 versus 977, a 66.6% gap. Data compression favors the 255HX by 69.6% (515143 vs 156682), and integer math by 66.7% (127126 vs 42303).

The smallest margin across all tests is Cinebench R23 single-core at 26.2%. Even here, the 255HX holds a comfortable edge. The overall pattern indicates that the 255HX is not merely faster but qualitatively superior in both single-thread and multi-thread operations.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in core and thread counts. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads. The 221TE uses hyper-threading to reach 16 threads from 10 cores; the 255HX has no hyper-threading, matching 20 threads to 20 cores.

Base and boost clocks differ as well. The 221TE runs at a 1.80 GHz base clock and boosts to 5.00 GHz. The 255HX runs at a 2.40 GHz base clock and boosts to 5.20 GHz. The 255HX thus has both a higher idle-clock floor and a higher peak clock.

Thermal design power differs by 10 watts. The 221TE is rated at 45 TDP, while the 255HX is rated at 55 TDP. Socket compatibility is entirely different: the 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the 255HX uses Intel BGA 2114. The 221TE is a desktop part, while the 255HX is a mobile part.

Memory support separates the two. The 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the 255HX supports only DDR5. Memory bandwidth also favors the 255HX: 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the 221TE but not on the 255HX.

PCIe lane counts differ. The 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the 255HX provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, and the 255HX uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The 255HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the 221TE does not.

The 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232. The 255HX has no launch MSRP listed.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 221TE is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the Arrow Lake architecture. The 221TE is fabricated on a 10 nm process by Intel, whereas the 255HX uses a 3 nm process from TSMC. The die size is 215 mm² for the 221TE and 243 mm² for the 255HX. The 255HX has 17,800 million transistors; no transistor count is recorded for the 221TE.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The 221TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The 255HX has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The 255HX therefore has more than double the per-core L1 and L2, plus 6 MB more L3.

Generation naming also differs. The 221TE is part of the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation, while the 255HX belongs to the Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake-HX) generation and the Core Ultra Series 2 family. The 255HX uses a mobile-oriented Arrow Lake-HX codename, while the 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename.

Both processors support dual-channel memory. The 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the 255HX supports only DDR5. The 255HX has a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the 221TE.

The 255HX offers more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16) and a newer integrated graphics solution (Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU versus UHD Graphics 730). The 255HX also has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, which the 221TE lacks.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins in every recorded benchmark category. Its strongest margins are in PassMark find prime numbers (85.2% ahead), floating-point math (80.3% ahead), data encryption (77.3% ahead), and extended instructions (76.6% ahead). These results indicate dominance in scientific computing, cryptographic operations, and SIMD-heavy code.

The 255HX also leads decisively in multi-threaded rendering workloads. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 76.8% advantage, Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 72.4%, and Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 65.3%. For video encoding, 3D rendering, and batch processing, the 255HX is the clear performer.

In single-thread tasks, the 255HX still wins but with a narrower margin in some tests. The smallest gap is Cinebench R23 single-core at 26.2%, followed by PassMark single-thread at 62%. The 255HX's higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz and newer architecture contribute to these wins.

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins no benchmark comparisons. However, it has advantages outside raw performance: ECC memory support, DDR4 compatibility, a desktop socket, a lower 45 TDP, and a smaller die size. These features make the 221TE relevant for embedded systems, legacy platform upgrades, or reliability-focused builds where the 255HX's mobile socket and lack of ECC are disqualifying.

The data shows the 255HX is the processor for workloads where performance is the sole criterion. The 221TE serves scenarios where platform compatibility, memory flexibility, or error-correcting memory take priority over benchmark scores.