Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265K Comparison

Intel Core 5 221TE and Intel Core Ultra 7 265K occupy very different positions in the desktop processor market. The database shows a clear performance hierarchy between the two, with the Core Ultra 7 265K dominating across every recorded benchmark. The Core 5 221TE, a Bartlett Lake part, and the Core Ultra 7 265K, an Arrow Lake-S part, are separated by a wide margin in raw compute capability, architectural design, and platform features.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 7 265K wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons recorded in the database. The margin of victory varies significantly by workload, ranging from a relatively modest 21% advantage in single-threaded rendering to an overwhelming 88% lead in prime number computation.

In Cinebench testing, the Core Ultra 7 265K delivers a multicore score of 35850 in Cinebench R23, compared to 11305 for the Core 5 221TE, a delta of 68.5% in favor of the Ultra 7. The single-core R23 result shows a closer contest, with the Ultra 7 scoring 2020 against 1596 for the 221TE, a 21% difference. The older Cinebench R15 and R20 versions show a more consistent gap: the Ultra 7 posts 5020 and 20918 in R15 and R20 multicore respectively, while the 221TE manages 1139 and 4748, both results showing a 77.3% deficit for the smaller chip.

PassMark results reinforce the pattern. The largest single delta appears in the find prime numbers test, where the Ultra 7 scores 491 versus 59 for the 221TE, an 88% advantage. Extended instructions show an 82.2% gap (54333 versus 9655), and floating point math shows an 83.3% gap (189629 versus 31661). Data encryption favors the Ultra 7 by 81.4% (48246 versus 8963), while data compression shows a 76.5% difference (665554 versus 156682). Integer math sees the Ultra 7 ahead by 70.5% (143242 versus 42303). The multithread PassMark score is 58594 for the Ultra 7 and 13301 for the 221TE, a 77.3% gap, and random string sorting shows a 78.8% difference (79752 versus 16929).

The closest relative result is the single-thread PassMark test, where the Ultra 7 scores 4928 and the 221TE scores 1734, a 64.8% margin. Physics testing shows a 73.8% gap (3731 versus 977). Across all recorded tests, the average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 7 265K is 70879, placing it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 221TE averages 17860, landing in the 71st percentile. The Ultra 7's nearest rival, the Intel Xeon 6511P, scores 71051, just 0.2% above it, while the 221TE's closest competitor, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, scores 17891, only 0.2% higher.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 265K wins every workload category recorded. The data shows no benchmark where the Core 5 221TE takes a lead. The Ultra 7's strengths are most pronounced in compute-heavy tasks: prime number finding, extended instruction sets, and floating point math all show deltas above 80%. These results indicate strong raw arithmetic capability, likely tied to its larger core count, higher clocks, and more modern architecture.

The Core 5 221TE's best relative showing is in single-core Cinebench R23, where the 21% gap is the smallest of any test. This suggests that lightly threaded tasks narrow the distance between the two, though the Ultra 7 still holds a decisive advantage. The 221TE remains competitive only in the sense that its single-thread performance is closer to the Ultra 7 than its multithreaded results are. In all other recorded metrics, the Ultra 7 holds a lead of at least 64.8%.

The Ultra 7's PassMark multithread score of 58594 versus 13301 indicates a processor suited to heavily parallel workloads. Its data compression and encryption scores, 665554 and 48246 respectively, point to strong performance in file handling and security-related tasks. The 221TE, with its lower scores across these same tests, serves a different purpose, likely in power-conscious desktop configurations where the 45 watt TDP is a defining characteristic.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and foundries. The Core 5 221TE is built on a 10 nm process by Intel, while the Core Ultra 7 265K uses a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC. The Ultra 7 integrates 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die; the 221TE has no transistor count recorded but uses a 215 mm² die.

Core and thread configurations differ substantially. The 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Ultra 7 has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Ultra 7 does not use simultaneous multithreading, as its thread count matches its core count. The 221TE uses Hyper-Threading to reach 16 threads from 10 cores. Clock speeds also separate the two: the 221TE runs at 1.80 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost, while the Ultra 7 runs at 3.90 GHz base and 5.50 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies scale with the rest of the design. The 221TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 7 reflect its newer microarchitecture.

Memory support differs. The 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Ultra 7 at 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the 221TE. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Ultra 7 provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are different as well: the 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, and the Ultra 7 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Ultra 7 has an unlocked multiplier; the 221TE does not. Sockets differ, with the 221TE on Intel Socket 1700 and the Ultra 7 on Intel Socket 1851. The Ultra 7 carries a 125 watt TDP, while the 221TE is rated at 45 watts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K has an average benchmark score of 70879, compared to 17860 for the Intel Core 5 221TE. The Ultra 7 ranks in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, while the 221TE ranks in the 71st percentile.

Q: How large is the gap in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K scores 35850 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Core 5 221TE scores 11305. This represents a 68.5% advantage for the Ultra 7.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Core 5 221TE and the Core Ultra 7 265K support ECC memory. Both also use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 7 265K has 20 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Core 5 221TE has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two processors?

A: The smallest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core Ultra 7 265K scores 2020 and the Core 5 221TE scores 1596, a 21% difference.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221TE | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 10 | 20 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-10-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | $394 |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 17860 | 70879 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 71 | 94 |