Intel Core 5 223PE vs Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL Comparison

The Intel Core 5 223PE and Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL represent two distinct approaches to desktop processing. The data shows a complete sweep for the Core 5 223PE across every recorded benchmark, with the Core Ultra 3 105UL trailing by margins that range from 24.7% to 337.9%. This is not a close contest; it is a fundamental mismatch in performance class, driven by differences in core configuration, clock speeds, and power targets. The following analysis breaks down where each processor wins, the architectural reasons behind the results, and what the recorded numbers imply for potential use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows that the Intel Core 5 223PE wins all 17 head-to-head tests. The Core Ultra 3 105UL does not claim a single victory in any recorded workload. This makes the use-case split unusually one-sided. The Core 5 223PE delivers its largest advantages in extended instruction throughput and data compression, where it leads by 337.9% and 268.9% respectively. These are heavy compute tasks that scale with raw core count, thread count, and clock speed, all of which favor the Core 5 223PE.

The Core Ultra 3 105UL, by contrast, shows its smallest deficit in single-threaded PassMark performance, where it trails by 24.7%. That is still a clear loss, but it indicates that the Core Ultra 3 105UL is comparatively less disadvantaged in lightly threaded work than in heavily parallel workloads. The data suggests no scenario where the Core Ultra 3 105UL is the stronger choice for compute performance. Its role appears limited to situations where its very low 15 W TDP and integrated Arc Xe-LPG 48EU graphics are the primary considerations, though the recorded benchmarks do not measure graphics output.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different sockets and generations. The Core 5 223PE uses Intel Socket 1700 and is built on Bartlett Lake silicon with a 10 nm process node. The Core Ultra 3 105UL uses Intel Socket 1851 and is a Meteor Lake-PS part on a 7 nm node, belonging to the Core Ultra Series 1 family. Both have 8 physical cores, but the thread counts diverge sharply. The Core 5 223PE supports 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL supports only 10 threads. That difference of 6 threads is a major factor in the multicore benchmark results.

Clock speeds reinforce the gap. The Core 5 223PE has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core Ultra 3 105UL has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Core 5 223PE runs at nearly double the base frequency and boosts 1.00 GHz higher. Cache allocation also differs. The Core 5 223PE has 80 KB of L1 per core and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 3 105UL has 112 KB of L1 per core but only 10 MB of shared L3. Both have 2 MB of L2 per core.

The TDP figures reveal the design intent. The Core 5 223PE is rated at 65 W, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL is rated at 15 W. The Core Ultra 3 105UL is clearly engineered for power efficiency, while the Core 5 223PE is built for performance. Memory support differs as well. The Core 5 223PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5 with capacity depending on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory with an identical 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 5 223PE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Core 5 223PE offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL offers Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ, with the Core 5 223PE using UHD Graphics 730 and the Core Ultra 3 105UL using Arc Xe-LPG 48EU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 5 223PE scores 2666 against 881 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL, a 202.6% advantage. The single-core R15 result is similar, 376 versus 124, a 203.2% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 11111 against 3671, a 202.7% gap, and single-core R20 shows 1568 against 518, also 202.7%. Cinebench R23 multicore records 26455 against 8742, a 202.6% difference, and single-core R23 shows 3734 against 1234, again 202.6%. The consistency of these deltas, all hovering near 202.7%, suggests a fixed performance ratio across the Cinebench suite.

PassMark tests reveal the widest spread. Data compression shows the Core 5 223PE at 346623 against 93961, a 268.9% lead. Extended instructions show 24672 against 5634, a 337.9% advantage, the largest single delta in the entire dataset. Find prime numbers shows 159 against 44, a 261.4% lead. Physics shows 2493 against 718, a 247.2% gap. Random string sorting shows 35798 against 11179, a 220.2% difference. Floating point math shows 76468 against 30750, a 148.7% lead. Integer math shows 99819 against 41171, a 142.4% gap, the smallest multicore delta. Data encryption shows 18448 against 6354, a 190.3% lead. Multithread shows 31124 against 10285, a 202.6% gap.

The narrowest margin in the entire comparison is in PassMark single-thread performance. The Core 5 223PE scores 4219 against 3382 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL, a 24.7% lead. This is still a decisive win, but it is a fraction of the multicore gaps. The data indicates that the Core Ultra 3 105UL is relatively more competitive in workloads that rely on a single core, though it remains behind in every recorded metric.

The average benchmark scores place these processors in different tiers. The Core 5 223PE has an average benchmark score of 40585, with a percentile ranking of 87 among all CPUs. The Core Ultra 3 105UL has an average benchmark score of 13061, with a percentile ranking of 68. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 223PE include the Intel Core 7 253PE with an average score of 40557 and a delta of 0.1%, the Intel Xeon 6357P at 40630 with a delta of -0.1%, the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H at 40518 with a delta of 0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G at 40718 with a delta of -0.3%. The Core Ultra 3 105UL sits closest to the Intel Core i5-9400F at 13041 with a delta of 0.2%, the Intel Core i7-10750H at 13024 with a delta of 0.3%, the Intel Core i5-8500 at 13142 with a delta of -0.6%, and the Intel Core i7-7700K at 13291 with a delta of -1.7%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has an average benchmark score of 40585, compared to 13061 for the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL. The Core 5 223PE ranks in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL ranks in the 68th percentile.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: Both processors have 8 cores. The Intel Core 5 223PE supports 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL supports 10 threads. The Core 5 223PE has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core Ultra 3 105UL has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where the Intel Core 5 223PE scores 24672 against 5634 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL, a 337.9% advantage.

Q: What is the smallest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The smallest gap is in PassMark single-thread performance, where the Intel Core 5 223PE scores 4219 against 3382 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL, a 24.7% lead.

Q: Do the two processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 223PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL uses Intel Socket 1851.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL does not support ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Core 5 223PE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads. Base clocks are 2.90 GHz versus 1.50 GHz. Boost clocks are 5.20 GHz versus 4.20 GHz. TDP is 65 W versus 15 W. The socket is Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel Socket 1851. The Core 5 223PE uses a 10 nm process node, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL uses a 7 nm node. The codenames are Bartlett Lake versus Meteor Lake-PS, and the generations are Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) versus Ultra 3 (Meteor Lake-PS).

Cache configurations differ. The Core 5 223PE has 80 KB of L1 per core and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 3 105UL has 112 KB of L1 per core and 10 MB of shared L3. Both have 2 MB of L2 per core. Memory support differs: the Core 5 223PE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5 with motherboard-dependent capacity. Both have dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Core 5 223PE but not on the Core Ultra 3 105UL. PCIe connectivity differs: Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes for the Core 5 223PE, Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 5 223PE and Arc Xe-LPG 48EU for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. The release dates differ: the Core 5 223PE was released in 2026-03-08, and the Core Ultra 3 105UL was released in 2024-04-07. The launch MSRP is $232 for the Core 5 223PE and $295 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Intel Core 5 223PE as the clear choice for any workload measured in the database. It wins every benchmark, often by margins exceeding 200%. Its 16 threads, 5.20 GHz boost clock, 24 MB of L3 cache, and 65 W TDP combine to deliver an average benchmark score of 40585, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The Core Ultra 3 105UL, with its 10 threads, 4.20 GHz boost clock, 10 MB of L3 cache, and 15 W TDP, produces an average score of 13061, placing it in the 68th percentile.

The Core Ultra 3 105UL does have one clear differentiating factor: its 15 W TDP is dramatically lower than the 65 W TDP of the Core 5 223PE. For scenarios where power draw is the primary constraint, the Core Ultra 3 105UL may be the only viable option. It also uses a smaller 7 nm process node and includes Arc Xe-LPG 48EU integrated graphics, which could matter for systems relying on the iGPU. However, no benchmark in the dataset measures graphics or power efficiency. Based strictly on compute performance, the Core 5 223PE is the superior processor in every recorded test, with a launch MSRP of $232 compared to $295 for the Core Ultra 3 105UL. The data does not support any performance-based argument for choosing the Core Ultra 3 105UL.