Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, which claims 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 5 221TE secures only a single win, but that win is substantial. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 221TE scores 11305 against 10301 for the Core Ultra 7 258V, a 9.7% advantage. This indicates that in a sustained all-core rendering workload, the desktop part's higher core count and power envelope deliver measurable results.

Every other Cinebench test favors the Core Ultra 7 258V. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 7 258V scores 1596.5 versus 1139, a 28.7% lead. The single-core gap in R15 is even wider at 43.9%, with scores of 285 and 160. Cinebench R20 shows a 29.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 258V in both multi-core (6739 versus 4748) and single-core (951 versus 670) tests. Cinebench R23 single-core also goes to the Core Ultra 7 258V by 14.7%, posting 1872 against 1596.

The Passmark suite reinforces the pattern. The Core Ultra 7 258V leads in data compression by 11.3% (176686 versus 156682), in data encryption by 33.8% (13534 versus 8963), and in extended instructions by 34.4% (14717 versus 9655). The largest single delta appears in Passmark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 7 258V scores 185 versus 59, a 68.1% gap. Floating point math shows a 44.8% difference (57372 versus 31661), while integer math is nearly tied at 42889 versus 42303, a 1.4% edge for the Core Ultra 7 258V.

The multi-thread Passmark score favors the Core Ultra 7 258V by 29.6% (18887 versus 13301), and the physics test shows a 37.6% lead (1565 versus 977). Random string sorting goes to the Core Ultra 7 258V by 21.6% (21580 versus 16929). Single-thread Passmark results are lopsided: 4018 versus 1734, a 56.8% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 258V. The average benchmark score in the database confirms the hierarchy: the Core Ultra 7 258V averages 20454, while the Core 5 221TE averages 17860.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V has an average benchmark score of 20454, compared to 17860 for the Intel Core 5 221TE.

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

A: Yes, the Core 5 221TE wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 11305 against 10301, a 9.7% advantage over the Core Ultra 7 258V.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The Core Ultra 7 258V leads by 56.8% in Passmark single-thread (4018 versus 1734) and by 43.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core (285 versus 160).

Q: What is the percentile ranking for each processor?

A: The Core Ultra 7 258V sits at the 74th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 221TE sits at the 71st percentile.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 258V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How do the nearest rivals compare to each processor?

A: The Core 5 221TE's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with a delta of -0.2%, while the Core Ultra 7 258V's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 with a delta of -0.1%.

The Verdict

The data indicates two different design priorities. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V dominates in nearly every measured workload, including single-thread, encryption, floating point math, and multi-thread Passmark tests. Its 74th percentile placement and average score of 20454 place it clearly above the Core 5 221TE in overall performance. The Core Ultra 7 258V also does this within a 17 W TDP, whereas the Core 5 221TE has a 45 W TDP.

The Intel Core 5 221TE is not without merit. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core win by 9.7% shows that in at least one heavily threaded rendering workload, the 10-core, 16-thread configuration can outperform the 8-core, 8-thread Lunar Lake part. The Core 5 221TE also carries a 24 MB shared L3 cache versus 12 MB, which may contribute to that specific result.

For workloads represented by the majority of these benchmarks, the Core Ultra 7 258V is the stronger processor. The data shows a 28.7% to 68.1% advantage across most tests. Only in the specific Cinebench R23 multi-core scenario does the Core 5 221TE pull ahead. Users prioritizing that exact workload may favor the Core 5 221TE, but the overall pattern is unambiguous.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ substantially in their specifications. The Core 5 221TE uses 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 258V uses 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ: 1.80 GHz for the Core 5 221TE versus 2.20 GHz for the Core Ultra 7 258V. Boost clocks are closer, with the Core 5 221TE reaching 5.00 GHz and the Core Ultra 7 258V reaching 4.80 GHz.

TDP is a major differentiator. The Core 5 221TE has a 45 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 7 258V has a 17 W TDP. The socket types are incompatible: the Core 5 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Core Ultra 7 258V uses Intel BGA 2833. Memory support also differs: the Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 7 258V supports LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth favors the Core Ultra 7 258V at 136.5 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE.

ECC memory is supported by the Core 5 221TE but not by the Core Ultra 7 258V. PCIe lane counts differ as well: the Core 5 221TE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 7 258V offers Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are different, with the Core 5 221TE using UHD Graphics 730 and the Core Ultra 7 258V using Arc 140V. The market segments differ, with the Core 5 221TE listed as Desktop and the Core Ultra 7 258V listed as Mobile. Release dates are also different: the Core 5 221TE launched on 2025-01-12, and the Core Ultra 7 258V launched on 2024-09-23. The Core 5 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is clear. The Core 5 221TE is based on Bartlett Lake, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. The Core Ultra 7 258V is based on Lunar Lake, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The die size for the Core 5 221TE is recorded as 215 mm², while the Core Ultra 7 258V has no recorded die size. Transistor counts are not recorded for either part.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Core 5 221TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 7 258V has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the Core Ultra 7 258V likely contribute to its strong single-thread performance, while the larger shared L3 on the Core 5 221TE may help in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test.

The Core Ultra 7 258V belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation, while the Core 5 221TE belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The manufacturing foundry differs, with Intel producing the Bartlett Lake part and TSMC producing the Lunar Lake part. The 3 nm process node for the Core Ultra 7 258V represents a more advanced manufacturing technology than the 10 nm node used for the Core 5 221TE.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins across the broadest range of workloads. Single-thread performance is its strongest category, with a 56.8% lead in Passmark single-thread and a 43.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core. Security and data workloads favor it heavily: data encryption shows a 33.8% advantage, extended instructions show 34.4%, and find prime numbers shows 68.1%. Floating point math, physics, and random string sorting all show leads between 21.6% and 44.8%. The multi-thread Passmark score of 18887 versus 13301 indicates that even in parallel workloads, the Core Ultra 7 258V generally holds a significant edge. Its higher memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s and larger per-core caches align with these results.

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, a sustained rendering workload where its 10 cores, 16 threads, and 24 MB shared L3 cache produce a 9.7% advantage. This is the only recorded win for the Core 5 221TE, but it is the most relevant result for users running Cinebench R23-style all-core rendering. The Core 5 221TE also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Core Ultra 7 258V, and offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 4, which may matter for expansion in a desktop platform. The 45 W TDP and desktop socket indicate a different intended use case, but the benchmark data shows the Core Ultra 7 258V as the faster processor in nearly all measured scenarios.