Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Core Ultra X9 378H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unequivocal: the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins every single recorded benchmark against the Intel Core 5 221TE. Across the 17 head-to-head comparisons, the Core Ultra X9 378H records a 100% win rate, with the Core 5 221TE failing to take a single test. The margins are substantial in every category, ranging from a 54.3% deficit in integer math to an 83.5% deficit in prime number finding.

Looking first at the Cinebench suite, the Core Ultra X9 378H demonstrates overwhelming multi-threaded superiority. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra X9 378H scores 3281 against 1139 for the Core 5 221TE, a delta of 65.3%. The R20 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 13672 versus 4748, again a 65.3% gap. The R23 multi-core result widens the absolute difference further, with the Core Ultra X9 378H at 32553 and the Core 5 221TE at 11305, maintaining that consistent 65.3% delta.

Single-core performance follows the same trajectory. The Core Ultra X9 378H delivers 462 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 160 for the Core 5 221TE, a 65.4% advantage. In R20 single-core, the scores are 1929 and 670, respectively, a 65.3% delta. The R23 single-core test shows 4595 against 1596, again a 65.3% gap. These consistent deltas across the Cinebench series indicate that the Core Ultra X9 378H's advantage is not workload-specific but reflects a fundamental per-core performance lead.

The PassMark suite reinforces this dominance across diverse instruction types. Data compression shows the Core Ultra X9 378H at 386591 versus 156682 for the Core 5 221TE, a 59.5% delta. Data encryption produces 29840 against 8963, a 70% gap. Extended instructions score 31315 versus 9655, a 69.2% delta. Floating point math delivers 114500 against 31661, a 72.3% gap. Integer math shows 92603 versus 42303, the smallest relative delta at 54.3%. The passmark_multithread test records 38298 for the Core Ultra X9 378H and 13301 for the Core 5 221TE, a 65.3% delta. Physics testing shows 3404 versus 977, a 71.3% gap. Random string sorting produces 44648 against 16929, a 62.1% delta. Single-thread performance via PassMark shows 4453 versus 1734, a 61.1% gap.

The largest relative gap appears in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the Core Ultra X9 378H scores 357 against 59 for the Core 5 221TE, an 83.5% deficit. This suggests the Core Ultra X9 378H handles integer-heavy, branch-intensive workloads with particular efficiency. The smallest gap, at 54.3% in integer math, still represents a massive performance differential.

Average benchmark scores place the Core Ultra X9 378H in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 221TE sits in the 71st percentile. The Core Ultra X9 378H records an average benchmark score of 47468, compared to 17860 for the Core 5 221TE, a roughly 2.66x overall advantage. In the database's nearest rivals list, the Core Ultra X9 378H competes with desktop parts like the Intel Core i7-13700KF and Intel Core i9-12900F, while the Core 5 221TE aligns with parts like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 7 350.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has 16 cores, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores. Both processors have 16 threads.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H does not.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H uses Intel BGA 2540.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth specifications compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has a memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s, which is double the 76.8 GB/s of the Intel Core 5 221TE.

Q: What integrated graphics do the two processors feature?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H includes Arc B390.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different architectural generations and design philosophies. The Intel Core 5 221TE is based on the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 5 generation, and is manufactured on a 10 nm process node. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H uses the Panther Lake codename, belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3 generation, and is built on a 3 nm process node. Both are fabricated by Intel, but the process node difference is substantial, with the Core Ultra X9 378H using a significantly more advanced manufacturing process.

The die size differs as well: the Core 5 221TE has a die size of 215 mm², while the die size for the Core Ultra X9 378H is not recorded in the database. Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Core 5 221TE has 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 X9 378H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Core Ultra X9 378H has more than double the per-core L1 and L2 cache, but less shared L3 cache.

Memory support differs completely. The Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra X9 378H supports LPDDR5X memory, also in dual-channel configuration, but with 153.6 GB/s bandwidth, exactly double the Core 5 221TE's bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5 221TE but not on the Core Ultra X9 378H.

PCIe lane allocation also differs. The Core 5 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra X9 378H provides Gen 5 with only 4 lanes from the CPU. The market segments are distinct: the Core 5 221TE is a desktop processor, while the Core Ultra X9 378H is a mobile processor. This explains the socket difference (Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel BGA 2540) and the TDP difference, with the Core 5 221TE rated at 45W and the Core Ultra X9 378H at 25W.

The integrated graphics are different tiers: the Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra X9 378H uses Arc B390, a much more capable integrated solution. The Core 5 221TE has a fixed multiplier, and the Core Ultra X9 378H also has a fixed multiplier; neither is unlocked. Release dates are separated by over a year, with the Core 5 221TE released in January 2025 and the Core Ultra X9 378H in April 2026. The Core 5 221TE has a recorded launch MSRP of $232; the Core Ultra X9 378H has no launch MSRP recorded.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy: the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H outperforms the Intel Core 5 221TE in every benchmark category recorded. The Core Ultra X9 378H delivers roughly 2.66x the average benchmark score of the Core 5 221TE, and its 89th percentile ranking versus the Core 5 221TE's 71st percentile confirms this separation. The Core Ultra X9 378H's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-13700KF and Intel Core i9-12900F, indicating it competes with high-end desktop parts despite its mobile form factor.

The Core 5 221TE, by contrast, sits alongside the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 7 350 in the database's nearest rivals list, representing a mid-range desktop positioning. Its 10 cores and 16 threads, combined with 24 MB of L3 cache and DDR4/DDR5 support, make it a reasonable desktop offering, but it is outclassed across the board by the Core Ultra X9 378H. The Core 5 221TE records zero wins in the head-to-head benchmark comparison.

For users choosing between these two, the decision hinges on form factor and platform constraints rather than performance, since the Core Ultra X9 378H wins every benchmark. The Core 5 221TE uses a desktop socket, supports ECC memory, and has 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, making it suitable for desktop builds where those features matter. The Core Ultra X9 378H uses a mobile BGA socket, lacks ECC support, and has only 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, but delivers vastly superior performance in every measured workload, with double the memory bandwidth and a much more advanced 3 nm process node.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra X9 378H has 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning the Core Ultra X9 378H has 60% more cores but the same thread count. Base clocks differ: the Core 5 221TE runs at 1.80 GHz base, while the Core Ultra X9 378H runs at 2.00 GHz base. Both boost to 5.00 GHz.

TDP differs significantly: the Core 5 221TE is rated at 45W, while the Core Ultra X9 378H is rated at 25W. This is notable because the Core Ultra X9 378H delivers far higher performance while consuming a lower rated TDP. Sockets are incompatible: the Core 5 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra X9 378H uses Intel BGA 2540.

Process nodes differ: 10 nm for the Core 5 221TE versus 3 nm for the Core Ultra X9 378H. Cache configurations differ in every level: L1 is 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core, and L3 is 24 MB shared versus 18 MB shared. Memory support differs: DDR4, DDR5 versus LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth doubles: 76.8 GB/s versus 153.6 GB/s. ECC support: true versus false. PCIe lanes: 16 versus 4, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 versus Arc B390. Market segment: Desktop versus Mobile. Die size: 215 mm² versus not recorded. Release date: January 2025 versus April 2026. Launch MSRP: $232 versus not recorded. Part number: SRVQS versus unknown.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins in every performance category recorded in the database. Its largest relative wins come in prime number finding, where it leads by 83.5%, and floating point math, where it leads by 72.3%. It also shows particularly strong results in physics (71.3% lead), data encryption (70% lead), and extended instructions (69.2% lead). These results indicate the Core Ultra X9 378H excels in compute-intensive, numerically heavy workloads that benefit from its larger per-core cache and more advanced process node.

The Core Ultra X9 378H also wins decisively in memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks, leveraging its 153.6 GB/s bandwidth versus 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE. Data compression shows a 59.5% lead, and random string sorting shows a 62.1% lead. Single-thread performance favors the Core Ultra X9 378H by 61.1%, and multi-thread performance by 65.3% in the PassMark multithread test.

The Intel Core 5 221TE, while losing all benchmarks, retains specific platform advantages. It supports ECC memory, which the Core Ultra X9 378H does not. It offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, compared to only 4 lanes for the Core Ultra X9 378H, making it more suitable for systems requiring extensive PCIe connectivity. It uses a desktop socket, which may offer more upgrade and configuration flexibility in tower systems. It has a larger L3 cache at 24 MB versus 18 MB, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Core Ultra X9 378H is limited to LPDDR5X.

The Core 5 221TE also has a lower entry point in terms of recorded launch MSRP at $232, though the Core Ultra X9 378H has no recorded launch MSRP for comparison. The Core 5 221TE's 45W TDP is higher than the Core Ultra X9 378H's 25W TDP, which may be relevant for power-constrained or thermally constrained environments, but the Core Ultra X9 378H's lower TDP combined with dramatically higher performance suggests superior efficiency per watt in the recorded data.