Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive performance advantage for the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H across every single benchmark in the comparison. Out of 17 head-to-head tests, the Core Ultra 9 285H wins all 17, with the Intel Core 5 221TE recording zero wins.

The largest margin comes from PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 9 285H scores 330 against 59 for the Core 5 221TE, a delta of -82.1% from the Core 5's perspective. This indicates a massive gap in integer-heavy, single-thread-sensitive workloads. Floating point math shows a similar story: the Core Ultra 9 285H delivers 109,190 points versus 31,661, a -71% delta. Data encryption also favors the Core Ultra 9 285H heavily, with 26,140 points against 8,963, a -65.7% delta.

Cinebench results reinforce the pattern. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 9 285H scores 3,177.5 against 1,139, a -64.2% delta. The R20 multicore test shows 12,201 versus 4,748, a -61.1% delta. Cinebench R23 multicore narrows the gap somewhat but still shows a substantial lead: 20,781.5 versus 11,305, a -45.6% delta. Single-core Cinebench scores tell the same story, with the Core Ultra 9 285H leading by -48.9% in R15 single-core (313 versus 160), -61.1% in R20 single-core (1,722 versus 670), and -25.1% in R23 single-core (2,129.5 versus 1,596).

PassMark multithread shows 34,171 for the Core Ultra 9 285H versus 13,301 for the Core 5 221TE, a -61.1% delta. Single-thread PassMark scores are 4,415 versus 1,734, a -60.7% delta. Extended instructions show 26,794 versus 9,655, a -64% delta. Integer math stands at 85,922 versus 42,303, a -50.8% delta. Random string sorting shows 40,931 versus 16,929, a -58.6% delta. Data compression rounds out the set with 335,859 versus 156,682, a -53.3% delta, and physics scores 2,513 versus 977, a -61.1% delta.

The aggregate benchmark score confirms the separation. The Core Ultra 9 285H averages 38,312 across all recorded tests, while the Core 5 221TE averages 17,860. The Core Ultra 9 285H sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs in the database, whereas the Core 5 221TE sits at the 71st percentile. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core 9 270H at -0.1% delta, the Intel Core i5-13600HX at +0.1%, the Intel Xeon w3-2525 at -0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen 7 250 at +0.2%. The Core 5 221TE, by contrast, is bracketed by the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at -0.2%, the Intel Core 5 120U at -0.2%, the Intel Core 7 350 at +0.5%, and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at -0.7%.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 9 285H wins in every workload category present in the database. No recorded test favors the Core 5 221TE. The most pronounced advantages for the Core Ultra 9 285H appear in prime number finding, floating point math, and data encryption, where deltas exceed -65%. These workloads are typically sensitive to both high clock speeds and efficient instruction execution.

The Core 5 221TE does not post a single winning score, but the delta magnitudes vary by workload. Its closest relative performance comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core Ultra 9 285H leads by only -25.1%. This suggests that in lightly threaded, short-duration tasks, the Core 5 221TE is comparatively less disadvantaged than in heavily multithreaded or math-intensive workloads. The Cinebench R23 multicore delta of -45.6% is also smaller than the R15 and R20 multicore deltas, which sit near -61% to -64%.

For users focused on single-thread responsiveness, the Core 5 221TE still trails clearly, but the gap is narrower. For any workload that scales across cores, such as rendering, compression, or encryption, the Core Ultra 9 285H pulls far ahead. The benchmark data indicates that the Core 5 221TE is best suited to scenarios where its lower multithread ceiling is acceptable, while the Core Ultra 9 285H dominates in both threaded and unthreaded performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and target different market segments. The Intel Core 5 221TE is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2049. The Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, and the Core Ultra 9 285H uses Arrow Lake-H, part of the Core Ultra Series 2.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 285H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 9 285H therefore has more physical cores but no hyperthreading advantage, since both parts present 16 threads to the operating system. The Core 5 221TE achieves its 16 threads from 10 cores, which implies some cores support two threads each, whereas the Core Ultra 9 285H relies entirely on its 16 physical cores.

Clock speeds favor the Core Ultra 9 285H. Its base clock is 2.90 GHz against 1.80 GHz for the Core 5 221TE, and its boost clock reaches 5.40 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. Both processors have a 45 W TDP, but they are built on different process nodes. The Core 5 221TE uses Intel's 10 nm process with a 215 mm² die, while the Core Ultra 9 285H uses TSMC's 3 nm process, which likely contributes to its higher performance within the same power envelope.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 5 221TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 9 285H has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and the same 24 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the Core Ultra 9 285H help explain its strong single-thread and math performance.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 9 285H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Core Ultra 9 285H reaches 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth against 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: the Core 5 221TE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 9 285H offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ, with UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 221TE and Arc Graphics 140T on the Core Ultra 9 285H.

Both processors were released on the same date and are currently marked Active in production. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The launch MSRP for the Core 5 221TE is $232, and the launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 9 285H is $651.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H has 16 cores, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores. Both present 16 threads to the system.

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

A: The Core Ultra 9 285H scores 20,781.5 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Core 5 221TE scores 11,305. This represents a -45.6% delta for the Core 5 221TE.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 221TE and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core Ultra 9 285H delivers 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Core 5 221TE delivers 76.8 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

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

A: The Core Ultra 9 285H scores 4,415 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the Core 5 221TE scores 1,734, a -60.7% delta.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H outperforms the Intel Core 5 221TE in every recorded test, with deltas ranging from -25.1% in Cinebench R23 single-core to -82.1% in PassMark find prime numbers. The aggregate average benchmark score of 38,312 for the Core Ultra 9 285H versus 17,860 for the Core 5 221TE places the two processors far apart in the database ranking, at the 86th and 71st percentiles respectively.

The Core 5 221TE remains a functional desktop processor with 10 cores, 16 threads, and a 5.00 GHz boost clock. Its nearest rivals in the database, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and the Intel Core 5 120U, sit within fractions of a percent of its average score. Users whose workloads are light on threading and who prioritize a desktop socket with 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes may find it adequate.

The Core Ultra 9 285H, however, dominates across the board. Its 16 physical cores, higher base and boost clocks, larger per-core caches, and higher memory bandwidth all contribute to its lead. It also includes Arc Graphics 140T, a more capable integrated GPU than the UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 221TE. For any workload measured in this database, the Core Ultra 9 285H is the stronger choice. The data supports selecting the Core Ultra 9 285H for multithreaded rendering, encryption, compression, and math-heavy tasks, and it also wins in single-thread tests by a wide margin.