Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the Core Ultra 7 wins every single matchup, with deltas ranging from 63.6% to 87.8%. The Intel Core 5 221TE does not claim a single victory in any measured workload.

The largest gap appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 7 scores 482 against 59 for the Core 5, a delta of 87.8%. This is the most lopsided result in the entire comparison, indicating a massive difference in integer-heavy mathematical workloads. Floating point math shows a similar trend: the Core Ultra 7 scores 163567 versus 31661, a delta of 80.6%. The Core 5 trails by three-quarters or more in several other tests, including data encryption (8963 versus 37813, delta 76.3%) and extended instructions (9655 versus 39283, delta 75.4%).

The Cinebench suite confirms the same hierarchy. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 7 scores 41913 against 11305 for the Core 5, a delta of 73%. Single-core R23 shows 5917 versus 1596, also a delta of 73%. The R20 and R15 results follow the identical pattern: every Cinebench test lands at a delta of 73% or 73.2% in favor of the Core Ultra 7. The consistency of these deltas across all four Cinebench versions suggests a stable performance ratio that scales evenly between the two processors.

The narrowest margin is in PassMark single-thread performance. The Core Ultra 7 scores 4764 while the Core 5 scores 1734, a delta of 63.6%. Integer math also shows a comparatively smaller gap at 65.5%, with scores of 122449 and 42303. Data compression sits at 493179 versus 156682, a delta of 68.2%. Random string sorting shows 60020 versus 16929, a delta of 71.8%. Multi-thread performance in PassMark is 48270 versus 13301, a delta of 72.4%. Physics simulation scores 3843 versus 977, a delta of 74.6%.

The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 7 is 61834, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 5 averages 17860, sitting in the 71st percentile. The gap between their average scores is substantial: 61834 versus 17860 represents more than a 3.4x difference in overall measured performance. The Core Ultra 7's nearest rivals in the database are the Intel Core i9-13900KF (average score 61841, delta 0%), the Core i9-13900K (61766, delta 0.1%), and the Core i9-13900T (61723, delta 0.2%). The Core 5, by contrast, sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, delta 0.2%), the Intel Core 5 120U (17898, delta 0.2%), and the Intel Core 7 350 (17779, delta 0.5%).

The Verdict

The data leaves no ambiguity. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. Its 93rd percentile ranking versus the Core 5's 71st percentile confirms that these chips occupy different performance tiers entirely. The Core Ultra 7 delivers more than triple the average benchmark score of the Core 5, and its nearest competitors are flagship-class desktop processors like the Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KF.

The Core 5 221TE is positioned closer to mid-range desktop parts such as the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and the Intel Core 7 350. It is a 10-core, 16-thread desktop processor with a 45 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 7 is a 20-core, 20-thread mobile processor with a 55 W TDP. The Core 5 belongs to the Bartlett Lake generation and uses Intel's 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 7 is part of Core Ultra Series 2, built on TSMC's 3 nm node with Arrow Lake-HX Refresh architecture.

For workloads that demand maximum throughput, the Core Ultra 7 is the clear choice. For applications that run on desktop platforms with lower power envelopes, the Core 5 offers a functional but far less capable alternative. The recorded data shows no scenario where the Core 5 outperforms the Core Ultra 7, so any selection between the two hinges on platform requirements, not performance expectations.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins in every recorded category. Multi-core rendering, single-core responsiveness, encryption, compression, integer math, floating point math, physics simulation, and string sorting all favor the Core Ultra 7 by wide margins. Its 20 cores and 20 threads, combined with a 5.30 GHz boost clock, deliver strong results across both parallel and single-threaded workloads.

The Core 5 221TE has no benchmark wins in the database. Its best relative showing is in single-thread performance, where the delta narrows to 63.6%, and integer math at 65.5%. These remain decisive losses, but they are the areas where the Core 5 comes closest to matching the Core Ultra 7's pace. The Core 5's 5.00 GHz boost clock and 10 cores allow it to remain competitive in lightly threaded tasks, though the Core Ultra 7 still leads by a large margin.

The Core Ultra 7's largest advantages appear in floating point math (80.6%), find prime numbers (87.8%), and data encryption (76.3%). These results indicate that the Core Ultra 7 handles mathematically intensive and security-related workloads with substantially greater efficiency. The Core 5's strongest category relative to the Core Ultra 7 is single-thread PassMark, but even there it trails by more than 63%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 41913, while the Intel Core 5 221TE scores 11305. The Core Ultra 7 leads by a delta of 73%.

Q: How do the two compare in single-thread performance?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core Ultra 7 scores 5917 versus 1596 for the Core 5, a delta of 73%. PassMark single-thread shows 4764 versus 1734, a delta of 63.6%.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Core Ultra 7 has an average benchmark score of 61834, placing it in the 93rd percentile. The Core 5 has an average score of 17860, placing it in the 71st percentile.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Core Ultra 7 has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Core 5 has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What process nodes do the two processors use?

A: The Core Ultra 7 uses TSMC's 3 nm process with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core 5 uses Intel's 10 nm process on a 215 mm² die.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Core 5 supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 7 does not support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design families. The Core 5 221TE is built on the Bartlett Lake architecture and belongs to the Core 5 generation. It uses Intel's 10 nm process node and is manufactured by Intel. The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is part of Core Ultra Series 2, based on Arrow Lake-HX Refresh architecture, and is manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm process.

The Core Ultra 7 contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core 5's transistor count is not recorded, but its die size is 215 mm². The Core Ultra 7 uses a significantly more advanced process node, which contributes to its higher core count and performance within a mobile form factor.

Cache hierarchies differ considerably. The Core 5 provides 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 7 provides 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. Each level of cache is larger on the Core Ultra 7, both per core and in total L3 capacity.

Memory support also diverges. The Core 5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel access and a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Core Ultra 7 supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Core 5 includes ECC memory support, while the Core Ultra 7 does not.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 7 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. PCIe connectivity shows the Core Ultra 7 with Gen 5 and 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The Core Ultra 7 has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The Core 5 has a locked multiplier. The Core 5 is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 7 is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2114.

Specification Differences

The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus and Core 5 221TE differ across nearly every recorded specification. The Core Ultra 7 has 20 cores and 20 threads, while the Core 5 has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.40 GHz for the Core Ultra 7 and 1.80 GHz for the Core 5. Boost clocks are 5.30 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively. TDP ratings are 55 W for the Core Ultra 7 and 45 W for the Core 5.

The process node difference is significant: 3 nm for the Core Ultra 7 versus 10 nm for the Core 5. The Core Ultra 7 is manufactured by TSMC, the Core 5 by Intel. Transistor count is recorded only for the Core Ultra 7 at 17,800 million. Die sizes are 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 7 and 215 mm² for the Core 5.

Cache specifications show the Core Ultra 7 with 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. The Core 5 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR5-only for the Core Ultra 7 versus DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 5. Memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. ECC support exists only on the Core 5.

PCIe lanes are 20 for the Core Ultra 7 versus 16 for the Core 5, both Gen 5 CPU-only. Integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the Core Ultra 7 and UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5. The Core Ultra 7 has an unlocked multiplier; the Core 5 does not. Sockets are Intel BGA 2114 for the Core Ultra 7 and Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 5. The Core Ultra 7 targets the mobile segment, while the Core 5 targets desktop. The Core 5 has a recorded launch MSRP of $232; the Core Ultra 7 has no recorded launch MSRP.