Intel Core 7 251E vs Intel Core i5-110 Comparison

Intel Core 7 251E and Intel Core i5-110 are two desktop processors from Intel that target different performance tiers. The Core 7 251E is a Bartlett Lake part with a 24-core, 32-thread configuration, while the Core i5-110 is a Comet Lake chip with 6 cores and 12 threads. The database lists both with a 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs, but their architectural differences make them suitable for distinct workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for these two processors is limited, with no recorded average benchmark scores for either part. The database shows zero wins for each processor in head-to-head comparisons, meaning there are no direct performance measurements available to separate them empirically. However, the specification data provides a basis for understanding relative capability.

The Core 7 251E uses a 10 nm process node, while the Core i5-110 uses a 14 nm node. This process difference typically allows for higher transistor density and better power efficiency per unit of work. The Core 7 251E has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, compared to the Core i5-110's 2.90 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. While the Core i5-110 starts with a higher base clock, the Core 7 251E's boost capability extends 1.30 GHz higher, which can matter for single-threaded bursts.

The core and thread counts show a large separation. The Core 7 251E offers 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core i5-110 provides 6 cores and 12 threads. In multi-threaded workloads that scale well with core count, the Core 7 251E has a decisive advantage in raw parallel throughput capacity. The Core i5-110's 6 cores and 12 threads are sufficient for basic desktop tasks, but they do not approach the parallel capacity of the newer part.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The Core 7 251E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i5-110 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Core 7 251E's larger per-core L2 and substantially larger shared L3 (36 MB vs. 12 MB, a 200% difference) can improve data locality and reduce memory latency for working sets that fit within the cache hierarchy.

Memory bandwidth provides another differentiator. The Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, delivering 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core i5-110 only supports DDR4, also dual-channel, with 42.7 GB/s. The Core 7 251E offers more than twice the theoretical memory bandwidth, which benefits memory-intensive applications such as large database queries, scientific computing, and content creation workflows.

The Core 7 251E uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i5-110 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe standard provides higher per-lane bandwidth, which can affect GPU and NVMe storage performance. The Core i5-110's PCIe Gen 3 support is older but remains functional for many mainstream components.

Both processors have integrated graphics, but they are different models. The Core 7 251E includes UHD Graphics 770, while the Core i5-110 has UHD Graphics 630. The newer graphics architecture in the Core 7 251E likely provides better media playback and basic display output, though no benchmark scores are available to quantify the difference.

The production status for both is listed as Active, meaning they are both currently available. Their release dates differ: the Core 7 251E was released on 2025-01-12, while the Core i5-110 was released on 2025-09-10. The Core 7 251E predates the Core i5-110 by several months.

The Verdict

Based on the recorded data, the Core 7 251E is the stronger processor for parallel workloads and memory-intensive tasks. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, 36 MB of shared L3 cache, and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth give it a clear structural advantage over the Core i5-110's 6 cores, 12 threads, 12 MB L3, and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 7 251E also supports DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5, which are newer standards than the Core i5-110's DDR4-only and PCIe Gen 3 support.

The Core i5-110 has a higher base clock (2.90 GHz vs. 2.10 GHz), which can benefit latency-sensitive single-threaded tasks that do not boost. However, the Core 7 251E's boost clock of 5.60 GHz exceeds the Core i5-110's 4.30 GHz, so during short bursts the newer processor can achieve higher peak performance per core.

Users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, large cache footprints, or high memory bandwidth should select the Core 7 251E. Users who prioritize low base clock latency and already have a Socket 1200 platform may consider the Core i5-110, but the data shows a substantial spec-level gap in favor of the Core 7 251E for most performance-sensitive scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The Core 7 251E is built on Bartlett Lake, a codename that represents a newer Intel architecture compared to the Comet Lake design used in the Core i5-110. The process node for the Core 7 251E is 10 nm, while the Core i5-110 uses 14 nm. The smaller process node allows for more transistors per area and generally lower power consumption per operation, though the exact transistor counts are not recorded in the database.

The Core 7 251E's die size is 257 mm², while the Core i5-110 has no recorded die size. The larger die accommodates the additional cores and cache. The Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, which implies a hybrid or multi-tile design that the database does not further detail. The Core i5-110 has 6 cores and 12 threads, a conventional uniform core arrangement.

Cache architecture differs in both capacity and organization. The Core 7 251E uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Core i5-110 uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Core 7 251E's per-core L2 is 8 times larger than the Core i5-110's, and its shared L3 is 3 times larger. This suggests the Core 7 251E is designed to handle larger working sets without frequent main memory access.

Memory support also differs. The Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i5-110 supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, with 42.7 GB/s. The Core 7 251E also supports ECC memory (true), while the Core i5-110 does not (false). ECC support can be relevant for mission-critical or data-integrity-focused environments.

PCIe generation differs: the Core 7 251E has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and the Core i5-110 has Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Gen 5 offers higher bandwidth per lane, which can reduce bottlenecks with high-end graphics cards or PCIe 5.0 SSDs. The integrated graphics differ as well: UHD Graphics 770 on the Core 7 251E versus UHD Graphics 630 on the Core i5-110.

Both processors have a TDP of 65 watts, indicating similar thermal design power envelopes. The Core 7 251E achieves its higher performance within the same TDP, likely due to the more efficient 10 nm process. Both have locked multipliers, so overclocking is not supported by either part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i5-110 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Core 7 251E offers 18 more cores and 20 more threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of these two processors?

A: The Core 7 251E has a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Core i5-110 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Core 7 251E boosts 1.30 GHz higher.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Core 7 251E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Core i5-110 supports only DDR4. The Core 7 251E also has higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s compared to 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Do either of these processors support ECC memory?

A: The Core 7 251E has ECC memory support (true). The Core i5-110 does not support ECC memory (false).

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The Core 7 251E uses a 10 nm process node. The Core i5-110 uses a 14 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Q: What socket do these processors use?

A: The Core 7 251E uses Intel Socket 1700. The Core i5-110 uses Intel Socket 1200. They are not socket-compatible with each other.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 251E wins in multi-threaded performance potential due to its 24 cores and 32 threads, which is 4 times the core count and 2.67 times the thread count of the Core i5-110. Workloads like video rendering, 3D simulation, software compilation, and server-style virtualized tasks can utilize these extra parallel resources.

The Core 7 251E also wins in memory bandwidth, delivering 89.6 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. Tasks that stream large datasets, such as machine learning training, scientific computing, or high-resolution video editing, benefit from this higher bandwidth. The 36 MB of shared L3 cache provides a larger cache pool compared to 12 MB, which can reduce memory access stalls for repeated data access patterns.

The Core 7 251E wins on PCIe Gen 5 support, which allows for faster data transfer with compatible devices. The 10 nm process node provides a fabrication advantage over the 14 nm node, potentially enabling better performance per watt, though no power efficiency metrics are directly recorded.

The Core i5-110 wins on base clock speed, with 2.90 GHz compared to 2.10 GHz. For workloads that do not boost and where consistent low-latency execution is important, the higher base clock can yield better responsiveness. However, the Core 7 251E's boost clock of 5.60 GHz exceeds the Core i5-110's 4.30 GHz, so any workload that triggers boosting will favor the Core 7 251E.

The Core i5-110 also has a lower launch MSRP of $200, compared to the Core 7 251E's $384. This price difference may be a consideration for system builders, but it does not change the performance relationship indicated by the specifications.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the two processors are as follows:

• Cores: 24 (Core 7 251E) vs. 6 (Core i5-110)
• Threads: 32 vs. 12
• Base clock: 2.10 GHz vs. 2.90 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.60 GHz vs. 4.30 GHz
• Process node: 10 nm vs. 14 nm
• L1 cache per core: 80 KB vs. 64 KB
• L2 cache per core: 2 MB vs. 256 KB
• L3 cache (shared): 36 MB vs. 12 MB
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 vs. DDR4 only
• Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s vs. 42.7 GB/s
• ECC memory: true vs. false
• PCIe: Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) vs. Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 770 vs. UHD Graphics 630
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 vs. Intel Socket 1200
• Codename: Bartlett Lake vs. Comet Lake
• Launch MSRP: $384 vs. $200

Both processors have a TDP of 65 watts, dual-channel memory bus, desktop market segment, active production status, and locked multipliers. The Core 7 251E has a die size of 257 mm², while the Core i5-110 has no recorded die size. The Core 7 251E was released on 2025-01-12, and the Core i5-110 was released on 2025-09-10. The part numbers are SRQDUQ657 for the Core 7 251E and SA35X for the Core i5-110.