Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Processor U300L Comparison

Intel Core 5 221TE vs Intel Processor U300L

The Intel Core 5 221TE holds a decisive performance advantage over the Intel Processor U300L in every recorded benchmark category, but the comparison is not about raw speed alone. The Core 5 221TE is a desktop-class part with 10 cores and 16 threads, while the U300L is a mobile-class chip with 5 cores and 6 threads. The data shows that the Core 5 221TE delivers roughly double the multithreaded throughput, while the U300L counters with dramatically lower power consumption and a smaller footprint. The benchmark database places the Core 5 221TE in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, while the U300L sits in the 50th percentile, a gap that reflects their different market positions.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core 5 221TE produces a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11305, while the U300L has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. This absence of data for the U300L means all comparisons must rely on the Core 5 221TE's absolute scores and its position relative to other CPUs in the database. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 5 221TE records 1139 points, and in Cinebench R20 multicore it reaches 4748. The single-core results follow a similar pattern: 160 points in Cinebench R15, 670 in R20, and 1596 in R23.

PassMark results for the Core 5 221TE show strengths in specific workloads. The integer math test produces 42303 points, floating point math reaches 31661, and data compression scores 156682. Data encryption completes at 8963 points, extended instructions at 9655, and random string sorting at 16929. The multithread score is 13301, while the single-thread score is 1734. Prime number finding is the weakest result at 59 points, and physics processing scores 977.

The nearest rivals in the database provide context for the Core 5 221TE. Its average benchmark score is 17860, which sits 0.2 percent below the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891 and 0.2 percent below the Intel Core 5 120U at 17898. It is 0.5 percent above the Intel Core 7 350 at 17779 and 0.7 percent below the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994. These deltas are small, indicating that the Core 5 221TE performs essentially on par with those four CPUs despite having a different core configuration.

The U300L has no benchmark entries, so no direct head-to-head scores exist. The Core 5 221TE's 10 cores and 16 threads versus the U300L's 5 cores and 6 threads suggest a 2x advantage in thread count, which typically translates to a proportionate gain in heavily threaded workloads. The Core 5 221TE's boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus the U300L's 4.40 GHz also points to a single-thread edge, though the lack of U300L scores prevents quantification.

Architecture Differences

The Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. The U300L uses the Raptor Lake codename with the Raptor Lake-PS architecture, also on a 10 nm process at Intel. Both chips share the Intel Socket 1700, but the Core 5 221TE targets the desktop market segment, while the U300L is classified as mobile.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the U300L has 5 cores and 6 threads. Both use 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache differs significantly: the Core 5 221TE has 24 MB, while the U300L has 8 MB. Die size is recorded only for the Core 5 221TE at 215 mm²; the U300L has no die size entry.

Memory support is identical in type, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus. The Core 5 221TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the U300L has no bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported by the Core 5 221TE but not by the U300L. PCIe lanes differ as well: the Core 5 221TE offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the U300L provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ in configuration. The Core 5 221TE includes UHD Graphics 730, while the U300L has UHD Graphics 48EU. Both have locked multipliers, and neither is overclockable. The Core 5 221TE's part number is SRVQS, while the U300L uses SRPEKSRPEM. Release dates place the Core 5 221TE in January 2025 and the U300L in April 2024.

The Verdict

The Core 5 221TE is the clear choice for workloads that demand multithreaded performance, given its doubled core and thread counts, larger L3 cache, higher boost clock, and ECC support. The U300L suits applications where power draw is the primary constraint, with its 15 W TDP against the Core 5 221TE's 45 W TDP, and where Gen 4 PCIe and a smaller core count are acceptable. The data shows the Core 5 221TE delivers roughly 2x the thread capacity, which directly benefits rendering, compilation, and scientific computing. The U300L, with no benchmark scores, cannot be positioned on raw performance, but its mobile classification and lower TDP indicate a design focused on efficiency rather than throughput.

The Core 5 221TE's percentile ranking at 71 versus the U300L's 50 reinforces the performance gap. The Core 5 221TE matches or slightly exceeds four rival CPUs within 0.7 percent, confirming its competitive standing. The U300L, lacking rivals in the database, has no such reference points. Buyers needing a socketed desktop processor with high core counts should choose the Core 5 221TE. Buyers needing a low-power mobile part with a modest core count should choose the U300L.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Processor U300L has 5 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz, and the U300L boosts to 4.40 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, the Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory, but the U300L does not.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the U300L has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Core 5 221TE has a TDP of 45 W, and the U300L has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core 5 221TE has an average benchmark score of 17860, while the U300L has no recorded benchmark scores.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 221TE wins in every scenario where processing throughput matters. Its 10 cores and 16 threads handle heavily parallel workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation with a clear advantage over the U300L's 5 cores and 6 threads. The larger 24 MB L3 cache reduces memory latency in data-intensive tasks, and the 76.8 GB/s memory bandwidth supports high-throughput applications. The Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes enables faster connectivity for discrete GPUs and NVMe storage. ECC memory support makes it suitable for workstations where data integrity is critical. The 5.00 GHz boost clock gives it a strong single-thread presence, as shown by the 1734 PassMark single-thread score.

The U300L wins in efficiency-constrained environments. Its 15 W TDP is one-third of the Core 5 221TE's 45 W TDP, making it suitable for fanless or compact designs where heat dissipation is limited. The mobile market segment classification indicates it is designed for portable or embedded systems rather than desktop towers. The Gen 4 PCIe with 8 lanes still supports standard peripherals, and the absence of ECC memory reduces complexity. The U300L's lower core count and smaller L3 cache are acceptable in light-duty roles such as basic office work, web browsing, or media playback, where the Core 5 221TE's extra cores would go unused.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, with the Core 5 221TE at 10 cores versus the U300L at 5 cores. Threads follow at 16 versus 6. Base clocks are 1.80 GHz for the Core 5 221TE and 1.20 GHz for the U300L. Boost clocks are 5.00 GHz and 4.40 GHz respectively. TDP values are 45 W and 15 W. The Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, while the U300L uses Raptor Lake-PS. The Core 5 221TE is classified as desktop, the U300L as mobile. L3 cache is 24 MB versus 8 MB. Die size is 215 mm² for the Core 5 221TE, with no recorded die size for the U300L. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 221TE, with no figure for the U300L. ECC support is present only on the Core 5 221TE. PCIe lanes are Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the Core 5 221TE versus Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the U300L. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 221TE and UHD Graphics 48EU on the U300L. Release dates are January 2025 for the Core 5 221TE and April 2024 for the U300L. Launch MSRP is $232 for the Core 5 221TE and $107 for the U300L. Part numbers are SRVQS for the Core 5 221TE and SRPEKSRPEM for the U300L. Both processors are active in production and have locked multipliers.