Intel Core 5 221TE vs NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents an unusual comparison. The Intel Core 5 221TE is a fully measured part with a complete set of recorded scores, while the NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) has no benchmark entries in the database. Consequently, the Intel processor holds every recorded win across all tested workloads. The Core 5 221TE delivers measurable results in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, as well as in the Passmark suite. Its average benchmark score of 17860 places it at the 71st percentile of all CPUs in the database. The RTX Spark, by contrast, sits at the 50th percentile with an average benchmark score of zero, reflecting the absence of any completed tests.

The Intel part demonstrates its strengths in multithreaded applications. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it posts a score of 11305, while the single-core result reaches 1596. The Passmark multithread score of 13301 further confirms its capability in parallel workloads. The data also shows strong integer math performance at 42303 and floating point math at 31661. For data compression tasks, the processor achieves 156682 in the Passmark data compression test. These results indicate a part that handles content creation, scientific computing, and general productivity workloads with consistent effectiveness.

The RTX Spark, despite lacking measured scores, offers a different architectural profile in the database. It is classified as a mobile segment part with 20 cores and 20 threads, a 3 nm process node from TSMC, and a quad-channel LPDDR5X memory interface. The absence of benchmark data means no direct performance claims can be made from measurements. The database records its percentile as 50, which is a neutral default rather than a validated performance level. Until benchmark entries populate, the Intel Core 5 221TE remains the only unit with quantifiable results in this comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their underlying designs. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename from the Core 5 generation, built on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 215 mm². It features 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power is 45 watts. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support covers both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, yielding a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. ECC memory is supported, and the processor uses Intel Socket 1700. Integrated graphics come in the form of UHD Graphics 730. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) presents a contrasting architecture. Its codename is N1X from the Spark (GB10) generation, manufactured on a 3 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 208 mm². It has 20 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 1.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The TDP is lower at 38 watts. Cache amounts are larger per core: 128 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core, but the shared L3 is only 8 MB. Memory support is limited to LPDDR5X in a quad-channel configuration, which provides a substantially higher memory bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported. The integrated graphics are the GB20B "Blackwell" GPU. The part is designed for the mobile segment and has no socket information listed. PCIe is marked as N/A. Its production status is unreleased, with a recorded release date of 2025-12-31, while the Intel part has been active since 2025-01-12.

These architectural choices reflect different priorities. The Intel chip leans toward a desktop platform with broad memory compatibility, ECC support, and a higher boost clock. The NVIDIA part, though unreleased, appears oriented toward mobile integration with a smaller process node, higher core count, and much faster memory bandwidth at a lower TDP. The lack of PCIe lanes on the RTX Spark suggests a system-on-chip design where external expansion is less central.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Since the NVIDIA RTX Spark has no recorded benchmark scores, every head-to-head comparison relies solely on the Intel Core 5 221TE's measured results. The database records zero wins for the RTX Spark and zero wins for the Intel part in the head-to-head field, but the Intel processor's individual benchmark list provides the only quantitative data available.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel chip scores 1139, with a single-core score of 160. The R20 version shows a multicore score of 4748 and a single-core score of 670. Moving to R23, the multicore result climbs to 11305, while single-core reaches 1596. These numbers indicate a processor that scales well with additional threads, given the 10-core, 16-thread configuration.

The Passmark suite adds further detail. Data compression scores 156682, which is the highest single result in the set. Data encryption reaches 8963, and extended instructions score 9655. Prime number finding is relatively low at 59, which may reflect the workload's sensitivity to certain instruction paths. Floating point math scores 31661, and integer math hits 42303. The multithread score is 13301, with a single-thread score of 1734 (recorded twice as both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread). Physics simulation scores 977, and random string sorting scores 16929.

Relative to its nearest rivals in the database, the Intel Core 5 221TE shows a tight clustering. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT has an average score of 17891, which is 0.2 percent higher than the Intel part's 17860. The Intel Core 5 120U averages 17898, also 0.2 percent higher. The Intel Core 7 350 scores 17779, which is 0.5 percent lower than the Core 5 221TE. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 averages 17994, putting it 0.7 percent higher. These deltas are minimal, indicating that the Core 5 221TE performs in a very competitive band around its immediate peers. The largest recorded difference is the 0.7 percent gap against the Ryzen 5 1600, where the Intel part trails slightly.

The practical interpretation is that the Intel Core 5 221TE delivers performance nearly identical to these established processors. The 0.5 percent lead over the Intel Core 7 350 is the only positive delta in the group, while the others show small disadvantages. None of these differences exceed one percent, so the data suggests these CPUs are effectively interchangeable in average benchmark terms.

FAQ

Q: Does the NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) have any benchmark scores in the database?

A: No. The benchmark list for the RTX Spark is empty, and its average benchmark score is recorded as zero. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 17 benchmark entries across Cinebench and Passmark tests.

Q: What is the performance percentile ranking for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE ranks at the 71st percentile of all CPUs in the database. The NVIDIA RTX Spark sits at the 50th percentile, which is a neutral default given the lack of measured data.

Q: How does the Intel Core 5 221TE compare to its nearest rivals in average score?

A: The Intel part scores 17860 on average. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT is 0.2 percent higher, the Intel Core 5 120U is 0.2 percent higher, the Intel Core 7 350 is 0.5 percent lower, and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 is 0.7 percent higher.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The NVIDIA RTX Spark has 20 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE boosts up to 5.00 GHz, while the NVIDIA RTX Spark boosts up to 4.00 GHz. The Intel part also has a higher base clock at 1.80 GHz versus 1.70 GHz.

Q: What memory configurations do the two processors support?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel layout with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. The NVIDIA RTX Spark supports LPDDR5X in a quad-channel layout with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification field.

Process and Foundry: The Intel Core 5 221TE uses a 10 nm process at Intel with a die size of 215 mm². The NVIDIA RTX Spark uses a 3 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 208 mm².

Cores and Threads: The Intel part has 10 cores and 16 threads. The NVIDIA part has 20 cores and 20 threads.

Clocks: The Intel base clock is 1.80 GHz with a boost of 5.00 GHz. The NVIDIA base clock is 1.70 GHz with a boost of 4.00 GHz.

TDP: The Intel TDP is 45 watts. The NVIDIA TDP is 38 watts.

Cache: The Intel L1 is 80 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core, and L3 is 24 MB shared. The NVIDIA L1 is 128 KB per core, L2 is 2 MB per core, and L3 is 8 MB shared.

Memory Support: The Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC. The NVIDIA part supports LPDDR5X in quad-channel mode with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC.

Socket and PCIe: The Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700 with Gen 5 PCIe, 16 lanes. The NVIDIA part has no socket listed and PCIe is marked N/A.

Integrated Graphics: The Intel part has UHD Graphics 730. The NVIDIA part has GB20B "Blackwell".

Market Segment and Production Status: The Intel part is a desktop chip with active production status, released on 2025-01-12. The NVIDIA part is a mobile chip with unreleased status, dated 2025-12-31.

Part Numbers and MSRP: The Intel part number is SRVQS with a launch MSRP of $232. The NVIDIA part number is GSE1-675-A1 with no launch MSRP recorded.