Intel Core 5 223PE vs Intel Core 7 160UL Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark record for these two desktop processors is decisively one-sided. The Intel Core 5 223PE wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 7 160UL does not win a single test in the database. This is not a close contest by any metric.

The Core 5 223PE dominates in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 26455 against 9386 for the Core 7 160UL, a lead of 181.9%. PassMark multithread shows 31124 versus 11043, also 181.8% ahead. The pattern repeats across integer math (99819 versus 47515, up 110.1%), floating point math (76468 versus 25670, up 197.9%), and physics (2493 versus 819, up 204.4%).

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though with a narrower gap. The Core 5 223PE reaches 4219 in PassMark single-thread tests, while the Core 7 160UL manages 3391, a 24.4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin is far larger at 181.8%, with scores of 3734 versus 1325.

The largest disparity appears in extended instructions. The Core 5 223PE posts 24672 against 5832 for the Core 7 160UL, a 323% difference. Data compression also heavily favors the Core 5 223PE, with 346623 versus 108953, up 218.1%. Random string sorting follows at 35798 versus 11843, a 202.3% edge. Data encryption shows the smallest multi-threaded gap at 158.2%, with 18448 versus 7146.

The wins are spread across every category. The Core 5 223PE leads in rendering, math, compression, encryption, sorting, and physics. Its percentile rank among all CPUs is 87, compared to 69 for the Core 7 160UL. The average benchmark score for the Core 5 223PE is 40585, while the Core 7 160UL averages 14232. The nearest rival to the Core 5 223PE is the Intel Core 7 253PE at 40557, a difference of only 0.1%. The nearest rival to the Core 7 160UL is the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C at 14277, a gap of 0.3% in favor of the AMD part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a socket and a process node but diverge substantially in their internal designs. Both use Intel Socket 1700. Both are built on a 10 nm process by Intel. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus.

The Intel Core 5 223PE belongs to the Bartlett Lake generation and uses the Bartlett Lake codename. It has 8 cores and 16 threads. Its base clock is 2.90 GHz, and its boost clock is 5.20 GHz. The thermal design power is 65 watts. Cache is organized as 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Intel Core 7 160UL comes from the Raptor Lake-PS codename and uses the Raptor Lake architecture. It has 10 cores and 12 threads. The base clock is 1.80 GHz, and the boost clock is also 5.20 GHz. Its thermal design power is only 15 watts. Cache configuration is different: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

The core count favors the Core 7 160UL with 10 cores versus 8, but the thread count reverses the comparison: 16 threads for the Core 5 223PE versus 12 for the Core 7 160UL. This indicates a different core topology. The higher thread count on the Core 5 223PE suggests fully threaded cores, while the Core 7 160UL appears to use a mix of performance and efficiency cores that do not all contribute threads.

Memory bandwidth is listed at 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 223PE, while the Core 7 160UL has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. ECC memory support also differs: the Core 5 223PE supports ECC, the Core 7 160UL does not.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The Core 5 223PE provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes. The Core 7 160UL provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU-only lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 5 223PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core 7 160UL uses Iris Xe Graphics 96EU.

The release dates are distinct. The Core 5 223PE launched on 2026-03-08, and the Core 7 160UL launched on 2024-04-07. Both are marked Active in production status. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 5 223PE has the part number SA4QF; the Core 7 160UL part number is listed as unknown.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest recorded win for the Core 5 223PE comes in PassMark extended instructions with a 323% delta. The second-largest is in PassMark data compression at 218.1%. Physics follows at 204.4%, random string sorting at 202.3%, and floating point math at 197.9%.

The Cinebench suite consistently shows approximately 182% deltas across the board. Cinebench R15 multicore is 181.8%, R15 single-core is 182.7%, R20 multicore is 181.9%, R20 single-core is 182%, R23 multicore is 181.9%, and R23 single-core is 181.8%. The consistency of these figures suggests a uniform performance scaling factor in these render workloads.

PassMark integer math shows the smallest multi-threaded delta at 110.1%, with the Core 5 223PE scoring 99819 and the Core 7 160UL scoring 47515. This workload appears relatively more favorable to the Core 7 160UL than other multi-threaded tests, though it still loses by a wide margin.

The narrowest overall gap is in PassMark single-thread tests, where the Core 5 223PE leads by 24.4%. Both the passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread entries record the same scores: 4219 for the Core 5 223PE and 3391 for the Core 7 160UL. This 828-point difference is the smallest absolute gap in the dataset.

PassMark data encryption shows a 158.2% delta, the smallest among the multi-threaded PassMark tests. The Core 5 223PE scores 18448, and the Core 7 160UL scores 7146. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 218% delta with scores of 159 and 50.

The Core 7 160UL has no recorded wins in any workload. Its closest relative performance appears in single-threaded PassMark tests, where the 24.4% gap is far smaller than the 158% to 323% ranges seen elsewhere. This indicates that the Core 5 223PE has a substantial architectural advantage that is most pronounced in multi-threaded and SIMD-heavy workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL has 10 cores, while the Intel Core 5 223PE has 8 cores.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has 16 threads, while the Intel Core 7 160UL has 12 threads.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: In PassMark single-thread tests, the Core 5 223PE scores 4219 versus 3391 for the Core 7 160UL, a 24.4% lead.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 through a dual-channel memory bus. The Core 5 223PE also supports ECC memory, while the Core 7 160UL does not.

Q: What is the difference in thermal design power?

A: The Core 5 223PE has a TDP of 65 watts, and the Core 7 160UL has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Which processor has higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Core 5 223PE ranks in the 87th percentile, while the Core 7 160UL ranks in the 69th percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Cores: 8 for the Core 5 223PE, 10 for the Core 7 160UL
• Threads: 16 for the Core 5 223PE, 12 for the Core 7 160UL
• Base clock: 2.90 GHz for the Core 5 223PE, 1.80 GHz for the Core 7 160UL
• Boost clock: both at 5.20 GHz
• TDP: 65 watts for the Core 5 223PE, 15 watts for the Core 7 160UL
• Codename: Bartlett Lake for the Core 5 223PE, Raptor Lake-PS for the Core 7 160UL
• Generation: Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) for the Core 5 223PE, Core 7 (Raptor Lake-PS) for the Core 7 160UL
• Architecture: not listed for the Core 5 223PE, Raptor Lake for the Core 7 160UL
• L2 cache: 2 MB per core for the Core 5 223PE, 1.25 MB per core for the Core 7 160UL
• L3 cache: 24 MB shared for the Core 5 223PE, 12 MB shared for the Core 7 160UL
• Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s for the Core 5 223PE, not listed for the Core 7 160UL
• ECC memory: supported for the Core 5 223PE, not supported for the Core 7 160UL
• PCIe: Gen 5, 16 lanes for the Core 5 223PE, Gen 4, 8 lanes for the Core 7 160UL
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 5 223PE, Iris Xe Graphics 96EU for the Core 7 160UL
• Release date: 2026-03-08 for the Core 5 223PE, 2024-04-07 for the Core 7 160UL
• Launch MSRP: $232 for the Core 5 223PE, not listed for the Core 7 160UL
• Part number: SA4QF for the Core 5 223PE, unknown for the Core 7 160UL

Shared specifications include the Intel Socket 1700 socket, 10 nm process node, Intel as the foundry, 80 KB L1 per core, DDR4/DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, Desktop market segment, Active production status, and a locked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear separation in intended roles. The Intel Core 5 223PE is the higher-performance part in every recorded benchmark. Its 87th percentile ranking, 40585 average benchmark score, and 17 wins in head-to-head tests establish it as the stronger compute processor. The 65 watt TDP and 2.90 GHz base clock indicate a part designed for sustained performance in desktop workloads.

The Intel Core 7 160UL targets a different profile. Its 15 watt TDP makes it a low-power desktop processor. The 10-core, 12-thread configuration with a 1.80 GHz base clock shows an efficiency-oriented design. Its 69th percentile ranking and 14232 average benchmark score place it in a much lower performance tier.

Users who need maximum compute throughput in rendering, math, compression, or encryption workloads should select the Core 5 223PE. The data shows it ahead by 110% to 323% in these categories. The 24.4% single-thread advantage also makes it the better choice for lightly threaded applications.

Users who prioritize low power consumption should consider the Core 7 160UL. Its 15 watt TDP is substantially lower than the 65 watt TDP of the Core 5 223PE. The performance cost is severe, as the benchmark results demonstrate, but the power profile is the defining attribute of this processor.

The benchmark database records no workload where the Core 7 160UL outperforms the Core 5 223PE. The choice depends entirely on whether the performance difference justifies the power difference. The Core 5 223PE delivers roughly 2.1 times the average benchmark score of the Core 7 160UL, while drawing more than four times the thermal design power.