Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Processor N150 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly between these two Intel processors, with the Intel Core 5 221TE winning all four recorded head-to-head comparisons. The largest margin appears in multi-threaded workloads, where the Core 5 221TE delivers 336.4% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core scores than the Intel Processor N150. For heavily parallel tasks such as rendering, video encoding, or scientific computing, that advantage is decisive.

The Intel Processor N150 does not win any of the four shared benchmark tests. However, its competitive position should be judged differently. The N150 sits at the 28th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 221TE lands at the 71st percentile. That gap reflects the intended use cases: the N150 is a low-power mobile part, whereas the Core 5 221TE is a desktop processor with substantially higher performance ceilings.

Single-core performance tells a more nuanced story. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core 5 221TE leads by only 4.5%, scoring 160 against 153.15. That narrow margin suggests the N150's Gracemont-derived cores are competitive for lightly threaded tasks like web browsing, office documents, or legacy application compatibility. The Core 5 221TE extends its single-core lead to 70.7% in Cinebench R23, however, indicating that sustained single-thread workloads favor the desktop chip by a wide margin.

For users prioritizing multi-core throughput, the choice is unambiguous. The Core 5 221TE averages 17860 in overall database score, versus 1025 for the N150. The Core 5 221TE also records a 169.6% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Workloads that scale across cores will see dramatic gains from the Core 5 221TE. Conversely, the N150's strengths lie in low power consumption (6 W TDP versus 45 W) and mobile integration, not raw compute.

The passmark suite, available only for the Core 5 221TE, further illustrates its multi-threaded character: integer math at 42303, floating-point math at 31661, and multithread at 13301. These scores indicate consistent throughput across varied instruction mixes. The N150 has no recorded passmark results in the database, so cross-referencing those workloads is not possible.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a 10 nm process node and Intel as the foundry, but their internal designs diverge sharply. The Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation, and fits the desktop market segment. It packs 10 cores and 16 threads, enabled by hyper-threading on its larger core configuration. Cache hierarchy favors the desktop part: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a substantial 24 MB shared L3. The die size measures 215 mm².

The Intel Processor N150 belongs to the Twin Lake architecture, listed under the Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) generation, and targets mobile devices. It has 4 cores and 4 threads with no hyper-threading. Its cache layout uses 96 KB L1 per core, a shared 2 MB L2, and a smaller 6 MB shared L3. The N150 has no recorded die size in the database.

Memory support separates the two further. The Core 5 221TE uses dual-channel memory with DDR4 and DDR5 support, reaching 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 but operates on a single-channel bus, capping bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s, exactly half the desktop chip's throughput. ECC memory is available only on the Core 5 221TE.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation and lane count. The Core 5 221TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the N150 offers Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). That represents a major expansion in both bandwidth and scalability for the desktop processor, enabling faster GPUs and NVMe storage.

Both integrate UHD Graphics 730, so the graphics hardware is identical. The Core 5 221TE launches with a $232 MSRP, while the N150 has no launch MSRP recorded. Socket types also differ: the Core 5 221TE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the N150 uses Intel BGA 1264, meaning the N150 is soldered rather than socketed.

Clock speeds reveal contrasting strategies. The Core 5 221TE runs a 1.80 GHz base clock with a 5.00 GHz boost, while the N150 has a 0.10 GHz base clock (likely a conservative idle floor) and a 3.60 GHz boost. Despite the low base, the N150's boost reaches a respectable frequency for its power class. The Core 5 221TE's 5.00 GHz boost, paired with 45 W TDP, clearly targets sustained performance. The N150's 6 W TDP prioritizes efficiency and thermal headroom for compact, fanless designs.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE scores 11305 versus 2590.5 for the Intel Processor N150, a 336.4% advantage.

Q: How close is single-core performance between the two?

A: In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core 5 221TE scores 160 against 153.15, a 4.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap widens to 70.7% (1596 versus 935).

Q: Does the Intel Processor N150 support ECC memory?

A: No. ECC memory is supported only on the Intel Core 5 221TE.

Q: What memory bandwidth difference exists between them?

A: The Core 5 221TE delivers 76.8 GB/s via dual-channel memory, while the N150 provides 38.4 GB/s over a single-channel bus.

Q: Are the integrated graphics different?

A: No, both processors use UHD Graphics 730.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221TE | Intel Processor N150 |

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

| Cores | 10 | 4 |

| Threads | 16 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 0.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 6 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Twin Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) | Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2024-11-19 |

| Launch MSRP | $232 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRVQS | SRPNR |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers four Cinebench tests, and the Intel Core 5 221TE wins every one. The most extreme result appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core 5 221TE scores 11305 against the N150's 2590.5. That 336.4% delta reflects the combination of 10 cores versus 4, 16 threads versus 4, and a 5.00 GHz boost clock. For rendering or compilation workloads that saturate all cores, the Core 5 221TE finishes in roughly one-quarter of the time.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar but less extreme pattern: 1139 versus 422.5, a 169.6% lead. The proportional gap is smaller than in R23, which may indicate that the R15 workload scales less efficiently across the Core 5 221TE's additional cores. Still, the result confirms a dominant multi-core position.

Single-core results are tighter but still favor the Core 5 221TE. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the score is 160 versus 153.15, a 4.5% margin. That near-parity is notable given the N150's much lower TDP and base clock. The N150's boost clock of 3.60 GHz, combined with efficient Gracemont cores, keeps it competitive for short single-thread bursts. In Cinebench R23 single-core, however, the Core 5 221TE pulls ahead by 70.7%, scoring 1596 versus 935. The larger R23 workload likely sustains longer, allowing the Core 5 221TE's higher boost and larger cache to assert dominance.

The Core 5 221TE also holds a substantial overall average score of 17860 in the database, placing it among the 71st percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, -0.2%) and Intel Core 5 120U (17898, -0.2%), cluster within a fraction of a percent. The Core 7 350 trails by 0.5% at 17779, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 scores 17994, 0.7% higher. Those close margins indicate that the Core 5 221TE sits in a competitive mid-range tier.

The N150's average score of 1025 places it at the 28th percentile, with rivals like the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T (1024, +0.1%) and Intel Core i3-4340 (1026, -0.1%) essentially matching it. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U and Intel Core i7-5650U also land within 0.2%. This suggests the N150 performs on par with decade-old desktop parts while consuming only 6 W, a tradeoff that suits low-power embedded or mobile roles.

For the Core 5 221TE, additional passmark scores (not recorded for the N150) show strong integer and floating-point throughput: integer math at 42303, floating-point math at 31661, and extended instructions at 9655. Data compression hits 156682, while encryption reaches 8963. Prime number finding is a weak point at 59, but random string sorting at 16929 and multithread at 13301 round out a balanced profile. The single-thread passmark score sits at 1734, consistent with its Cinebench single-core standing.

The data confirms a straightforward hierarchy: the Core 5 221TE is a high-performance desktop CPU with a 5.00 GHz boost and large 24 MB L3 cache, while the N150 is an efficiency-focused mobile chip with a 6 W TDP. Buyers needing compute throughput should choose the Core 5 221TE. Those prioritizing battery life, compact boards, or silent operation will find the N150's modest performance acceptable for basic tasks. The 4.5% single-core gap in R15 shows that the N150 is not obsolete for light workloads, but the 336.4% multi-core deficit makes it unsuitable for heavy parallel processing.