Intel Core 5 211E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235T Comparison
Intel Core 5 211E
Core Ultra 5 235T
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 211E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235T
FAQ
Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T records an average benchmark score of 38561, while the Intel Core 5 211E records 37829. The Ultra 5 235T sits slightly ahead, and both land in the 86th percentile among all CPUs in the database.
Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmark comparisons?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 5 211E wins only 2 tests: PassMark data compression and PassMark integer math.
Q: What is the biggest single benchmark margin between the two?
A: In PassMark find prime numbers, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T scores 318 versus 43 for the Core 5 211E, a 639.5% advantage for the Ultra 5 235T. This is by far the largest delta in the comparison.
Q: Does the Core 5 211E have any advantages in memory support?
A: Yes. The Intel Core 5 211E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T supports only DDR5. The Core 5 211E also supports ECC memory, which the Ultra 5 235T does not.
Q: Are both processors currently in production?
A: Yes, both are listed with an Active production status. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T was released on 2025-01-06, and the Intel Core 5 211E was released on 2025-01-12.
Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 211E boosts to 4.90 GHz. Both share the same 65 W TDP.
Architecture Differences
The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T is built on the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. It uses a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. The die size is 243 mm², and the processor contains 17,800 million transistors. The Intel Core 5 211E, by contrast, uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. Its process node is 10 nm, fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². No transistor count is recorded for the Core 5 211E.
The core configuration differs substantially. The Ultra 5 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning it does not rely on simultaneous multithreading. The Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads, indicating that some cores support multithreading. The cache hierarchies are distinct as well. The Ultra 5 235T provides 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 211E offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache.
Socket compatibility is another major divider. The Ultra 5 235T uses Intel Socket 1851, while the Core 5 211E uses Intel Socket 1700. PCIe connectivity differs: the Ultra 5 235T supports Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Core 5 211E supports Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Memory bandwidth also favors the Ultra 5 235T at 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 211E, though the latter gains flexibility by supporting both DDR4 and DDR5, plus ECC memory.
Integrated graphics differ as well. The Ultra 5 235T includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units. The Core 5 211E includes UHD Graphics 730. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so both are locked for overclocking. The part numbers are SRQES for the Ultra 5 235T and SRQERQ65F for the Core 5 211E.
The Verdict
The data points to a clear split in intended use cases. For raw compute performance, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T is the stronger choice. It wins the majority of benchmark categories, including every Cinebench test, PassMark multithread, PassMark single-thread, PassMark floating point math, PassMark physics, PassMark encryption, and PassMark extended instructions. The margins in Cinebench tests are consistent at roughly 28.7% to 29.1% in favor of the Ultra 5 235T. PassMark physics shows a 207.3% advantage, and PassMark floating point math shows a 60.5% advantage. Anyone prioritizing rendering, physics simulation, encryption, or general single-threaded responsiveness should select the Ultra 5 235T.
The Core 5 211E is the better option in scenarios that favor its specific strengths. It wins PassMark data compression with a 14.9% margin and PassMark integer math with a 4.4% margin. Its DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, along with ECC memory capability, makes it suited for environments where memory flexibility or error correction is required. The 211E also carries a lower recorded launch MSRP of $221 versus $247 for the Ultra 5 235T, though pricing considerations aside, the performance data shows the Ultra 5 235T dominating most workload categories.
For users on Socket 1700 platforms, the Core 5 211E may be the pragmatic choice. For users building on Socket 1851, the Ultra 5 235T offers superior compute results across nearly every measured benchmark. The 86th percentile ranking for both CPUs indicates they sit in the same general performance tier among all CPUs in the database, but within this pairing, the Ultra 5 235T is the consistent leader.
Specification Differences
The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T and Intel Core 5 211E differ across nearly every major specification category.
Core and thread counts: the Ultra 5 235T has 14 cores and 14 threads; the Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads.
Clock speeds: the Ultra 5 235T has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz; the Core 5 211E has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.
Process and foundry: the Ultra 5 235T uses a 3 nm process from TSMC; the Core 5 211E uses a 10 nm process from Intel.
Die size: the Ultra 5 235T measures 243 mm²; the Core 5 211E measures 257 mm².
Transistors: the Ultra 5 235T contains 17,800 million transistors; no transistor count is recorded for the Core 5 211E.
Cache: the Ultra 5 235T has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3; the Core 5 211E has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3.
Memory: the Ultra 5 235T supports DDR5 only, dual-channel, with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC; the Core 5 211E supports DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support.
PCIe: the Ultra 5 235T offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes; the Core 5 211E offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes.
Integrated graphics: the Ultra 5 235T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU; the Core 5 211E uses UHD Graphics 730.
Socket: the Ultra 5 235T fits Intel Socket 1851; the Core 5 211E fits Intel Socket 1700.
Release dates: the Ultra 5 235T was released on 2025-01-06; the Core 5 211E on 2025-01-12.
Launch MSRP: the Ultra 5 235T is $247; the Core 5 211E is $221.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Cinebench suite shows a dominant, consistent performance advantage for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ultra 5 235T scores 2644 against 2055, a 28.7% lead. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, it scores 373 against 289, a 29.1% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the 28.7% margin with scores of 11017 versus 8563. Cinebench R20 singlecore scores 1555 versus 1208, again 28.7%. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 26232 versus 20389, and Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 3703 versus 2878, both at 28.7%. The uniformity of these margins across every Cinebench version indicates a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.
PassMark results are more varied. The Ultra 5 235T wins PassMark multithread with 30918 versus 23833, a 29.7% margin. PassMark single-thread shows 4339 versus 4006, an 8.3% margin. PassMark floating point math heavily favors the Ultra 5 235T at 106546 versus 66402, a 60.5% advantage. PassMark physics is even more lopsided: 2157 versus 702, a 207.3% advantage. PassMark data encryption favors the Ultra 5 235T at 23457 versus 17938, a 30.8% margin. PassMark extended instructions shows a narrower 7.5% lead with 23212 versus 21592. PassMark random string sorting is close, with the Ultra 5 235T ahead at 35377 versus 34308, a 3.1% margin. PassMark find prime numbers shows the largest gap in the entire comparison: 318 versus 43, a 639.5% advantage.
The Core 5 211E claims two wins. PassMark data compression goes to the Core 5 211E with 346757 versus 295100, a 14.9% advantage. PassMark integer math goes to the Core 5 211E with 88117 versus 84244, a 4.4% margin. These wins indicate that in compression workloads and integer-heavy processing, the Core 5 211E can outperform the Ultra 5 235T despite losing the broader benchmark battle.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T wins in 15 out of 17 head-to-head tests. Its strongest categories are physics simulation, where it leads by 207.3%, and prime number calculation, where it leads by 639.5%. It also dominates all rendering workloads, as shown by the consistent 28.7% to 29.1% margins across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests. Floating point math shows a 60.5% advantage, and encryption shows a 30.8% advantage. For workloads that rely on strong single-thread performance, the 8.3% lead in PassMark single-thread is relevant. The Ultra 5 235T is the clear pick for rendering, physics, encryption, floating point math, and general compute throughput.
The Intel Core 5 211E wins in exactly two categories. PassMark data compression shows a 14.9% advantage, and PassMark integer math shows a 4.4% advantage. These are meaningful for specific workloads: data compression tasks and integer-heavy calculations. Additionally, the Core 5 211E offers memory flexibility with support for both DDR4 and DDR5, plus ECC memory, which the Ultra 5 235T lacks. For users building on Socket 1700 or requiring ECC support, the Core 5 211E provides those capabilities while still competing closely in integer math and compression. The recorded data shows a processor that is narrowly specialized but not without purpose.