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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap between the Intel Core 5 221TE and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the Core Ultra 7 265T delivers the higher score. No test favors the Core 5 221TE.

The largest single-test margin appears in PassMark find prime numbers. The Core Ultra 7 265T scores 322, while the Core 5 221TE scores 59, a delta of 81.7% in favor of the Ultra part. This workload, dominated by integer iteration and branch prediction, exposes the core-count and architecture differences between the two processors.

Floating point math also shows a wide gap. The Core Ultra 7 265T records 129817, against 31661 for the Core 5 221TE, a 75.6% lead. Data encryption follows at 69.8% (29687 versus 8963), and extended instructions at 66.3% (28609 versus 9655). These results indicate that the Ultra 7 265T is substantially stronger in compute-heavy and cryptographic workloads.

Cinebench results are consistent across all three versions. In R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 7 265T scores 3180 versus 1139, a 64.2% advantage. R20 multicore shows 13254 against 4748, also 64.2%. R23 multicore delivers 31558 versus 11305, again 64.2%. Single-core margins are nearly identical: R15 single-core shows 449 versus 160 (64.4%), and both R20 and R23 single-core tests show 64.2% deltas (1871 versus 670, and 4455 versus 1596, respectively). The consistency of these deltas across render workloads suggests a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

PassMark multithread scores show 37084 for the Core Ultra 7 265T versus 13301 for the Core 5 221TE, a 64.1% delta. Integer math records 104943 versus 42303, a 59.7% delta. Random string sorting shows 44400 versus 16929, a 61.9% delta. Data compression comes in at 370158 versus 156682, a 57.7% delta. Physics performance is 2391 versus 977, a 59.1% delta. PassMark single-thread and single-threaded scores both show 4338 versus 1734, a 60.0% delta.

The average benchmark score in the database confirms the overall positioning. The Core 5 221TE sits at 17860 with a 71st percentile ranking among all CPUs. The Core Ultra 7 265T averages 47697, placing it in the 90th percentile. The nearest rival for the Core 5 221TE is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891, a 0.2% difference, and the Intel Core 5 120U at 17898, also 0.2% away. For the Core Ultra 7 265T, the closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 at 47527, just 0.4% behind, and the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H at 47468, 0.5% behind. This places the Core Ultra 7 265T in a much higher performance class, competing with Ryzen 9-class parts, while the Core 5 221TE trades near Ryzen 5-class territory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265T boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

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

Q: What process nodes are used by these processors?

A: The Core 5 221TE uses Intel's 10 nm node. The Core Ultra 7 265T uses TSMC's 3 nm node and integrates 17,800 million transistors.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 7 265T does not.

Q: What is the L3 cache capacity on each processor?

A: The Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 265T has 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265T supports 102.4 GB/s, while the Core 5 221TE supports 76.8 GB/s.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 265T wins every benchmark recorded in the database. It leads in all Cinebench render tests, all PassMark compute tests, memory-bound operations like data compression and random string sorting, and single-threaded workloads. The 20-core, 20-thread configuration, combined with the 3 nm TSMC node and 30 MB L3 cache, provides a broad advantage across every measured category.

The Core 5 221TE does not win any head-to-head test. Its only distinguishing advantage is ECC memory support, a feature absent on the Core Ultra 7 265T. For systems that require ECC, the Core 5 221TE is the only option of the two. It also uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, whereas the Core Ultra 7 265T uses the newer Intel Socket 1851, which matters for platform compatibility decisions.

The Core 5 221TE consumes more power at the base level, 45 W versus 35 W for the Core Ultra 7 265T, despite delivering lower performance. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 7 265T supports only DDR5. The Core 5 221TE's dual memory type support may be relevant for users reusing existing DDR4 modules.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads; the Core Ultra 7 265T has 20 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 1.80 GHz and 1.50 GHz respectively, while boost clocks are 5.00 GHz and 5.30 GHz. TDP is 45 W for the Core 5 221TE and 35 W for the Core Ultra 7 265T.

Cache hierarchy differs at every level. L1 cache is 80 KB per core on the Core 5 221TE versus 192 KB per core on the Core Ultra 7 265T. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. L3 cache is 24 MB shared versus 30 MB shared.

Memory support differs in both type and bandwidth. The Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 7 265T supports only DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5 221TE but not on the Core Ultra 7 265T.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 5 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 7 265T provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730. The Core Ultra 7 265T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

Sockets and platforms differ. The Core 5 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 7 265T uses Intel Socket 1851.

The die size is 215 mm² for the Core 5 221TE and 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 7 265T, with the latter built on a 3 nm process at TSMC versus a 10 nm process at Intel.

Architecture Differences

The Core 5 221TE is based on the Bartlett Lake architecture, released into the database with a production status of Active. The Core Ultra 7 265T uses the Arrow Lake architecture, codenamed Arrow Lake-S, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 family.

The process node difference is significant. The Core 5 221TE is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm node, while the Core Ultra 7 265T uses TSMC's 3 nm node. The Core Ultra 7 265T integrates 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, whereas the Core 5 221TE has no transistor count recorded and a 215 mm² die.

Cache design differs substantially. The Core 5 221TE has smaller per-core L1 and L2 caches (80 KB and 1.25 MB per core) and a 24 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 7 265T has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches (192 KB and 3 MB per core) and a 30 MB shared L3. These larger caches likely contribute to the consistent single-core and multi-core performance lead.

The Core Ultra 7 265T uses a 20-core, 20-thread configuration, indicating no hyperthreading on its cores. The Core 5 221TE uses a 10-core, 16-thread configuration, which implies hyperthreading on some cores. The thread count difference is smaller than the core count difference, but the Core Ultra 7 265T still delivers a 64.1% lead in PassMark multithread and a 64.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore.

The integrated graphics architecture also differs. The Core 5 221TE ships with UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 7 265T ships with Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Arc GPU family is a newer graphics architecture compared to the UHD 700-series.

The Core Ultra 7 265T supports only DDR5 memory, while the Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 7 265T also has wider PCIe lane count from the CPU (20 lanes versus 16 lanes), both at Gen 5.

ECC support is exclusive to the Core 5 221TE. The Core Ultra 7 265T does not support ECC memory, which is a notable architectural and platform decision for workstation or reliability-focused builds.

The release dates are close. The Core 5 221TE was released on 2025-01-12, and the Core Ultra 7 265T on 2025-01-06. Both are listed as Active production parts.

The Core Ultra 7 265T is locked (multiplierUnlocked is false), as is the Core 5 221TE. Neither processor offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

The part numbers are SRVQS for the Core 5 221TE and SRQCS for the Core Ultra 7 265T.