Intel Core 5 221E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents an unambiguous outcome: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins every single one of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 5 221E. The database shows zero wins for the Core 5 221E across all tested workloads, which makes the verdict straightforward. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus delivers a higher average benchmark score of 66159 compared to 40144 for the Core 5 221E, and it sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs versus the 87th percentile for the older part.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the clear choice based on Cinebench R23 multicore results of 42718 versus 25933. For those who need maximum single-thread responsiveness, the same processor leads again with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6030 against 3661. The data indicates that the Core 5 221E remains competitive only in the narrow sense of being a lower-power desktop option with integrated graphics, but it trails in every measurable performance category. The launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is $184, while the Core 5 221E carries a launch MSRP of $232.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and foundries. The Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus belongs to the Arrow Lake Refresh codename under the Core Ultra Series 2 umbrella, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm node with a die size of 243 mm². The manufacturing difference is substantial: the newer part integrates 17,800 million transistors, while the database does not record a transistor count for the older chip.

Core configuration differs significantly. The Core 5 221E provides 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus provides 18 cores and 18 threads. The thread count relationship is inverted, meaning the Core 5 221E relies on simultaneous multithreading to reach 20 threads from 14 cores, whereas the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus runs one thread per core. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the Core 5 221E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus raises each level to 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 5 221E accepts both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel access and a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports DDR5 only, also dual-channel, but with a higher memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity favors the newer chip: Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for the Core 5 221E.

The socket platforms are incompatible, with the Core 5 221E on Intel Socket 1700 and the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus on Intel Socket 1851. The Core 5 221E includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics. The multiplier is locked on the Core 5 221E and unlocked on the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, which matters for overclocking scenarios. Base and boost clocks also differ: 2.70 GHz base with 5.20 GHz boost for the Core 5 221E, versus 4.20 GHz base with 5.30 GHz boost for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. The thermal design power is 65 W for the Core 5 221E and 125 W for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent and often large performance gap in favor of the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 4305 against 2613, a delta of -39.3 percent from the perspective of the Core 5 221E. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 607 versus 368, again a -39.4 percent gap. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where multicore results are 17941 versus 10891 and single-core is 2532 versus 1537, both at -39.3 percent.

Cinebench R23 results confirm the trend with the multicore score of 42718 versus 25933 and single-core of 6030 versus 3661, each showing a -39.3 percent delta. This consistent 39 percent deficit across all Cinebench versions suggests the architectural and clock advantages of the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus translate uniformly into rendering workloads.

PassMark tests reveal larger percentage gaps in several specialized workloads. The most extreme difference appears in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 452 versus 173, a -61.7 percent delta. PassMark extended instructions shows 42880 versus 18216, a -57.5 percent gap. Data encryption results are 41292 versus 19205, a -53.5 percent delta, and floating point math is 159824 versus 79028, a -50.6 percent gap.

Data compression favors the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus with 553155 versus 324285, a -41.4 percent delta. Random string sorting shows 67209 versus 37686, a -43.9 percent gap. The smallest recorded difference is in PassMark integer math, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 123030 versus 117813, a delta of only -4.2 percent. This narrow margin indicates that integer-heavy workloads do not benefit as much from the newer architecture.

PassMark multithread results are 50146 versus 30510, a -39.2 percent delta, and physics results are 3183 versus 2230, a -29.9 percent gap. Single-thread PassMark shows 4698 versus 4147, an -11.7 percent delta, which is the second-smallest gap after integer math. The overall picture is that the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads by roughly 39 percent in most multi-threaded tests, by 50 percent or more in encryption, extended instructions, and prime number finding, but by only single digits in integer math and around 12 percent in single-threaded PassMark.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores, while the Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores.

Q: Does the Core 5 221E support DDR4 memory?

A: Yes, the Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, whereas the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports DDR5 only.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 42718 versus 25933 for the Core 5 221E, a delta of -39.3 percent.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 221E has a locked multiplier.

Q: Which processor has the higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus records 115.2 GB/s, while the Core 5 221E records 89.6 GB/s.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, so the data does not provide any benchmark category where the Core 5 221E comes out ahead. The largest wins for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus are in prime number finding, extended instructions, data encryption, and floating point math, where the percentage gaps exceed 50 percent. These results indicate workloads involving cryptographic operations, scientific computation, and complex instruction sets benefit most from the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture.

The narrowest margin is in PassMark integer math, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads by only 4.2 percent. This suggests that integer-heavy general computing tasks see a much smaller advantage from the newer processor. Single-threaded PassMark also shows a relatively modest 11.7 percent gap, meaning the Core 5 221E is comparatively closer in lightly threaded integer workloads.

The Core 5 221E retains advantages outside raw benchmark scores. It includes integrated graphics, which the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus lacks entirely, making it suitable for systems without a discrete GPU. It also has a lower thermal design power of 65 W versus 125 W, which implies less demanding cooling requirements. The Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, offering memory flexibility that the DDR5-only Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus does not provide.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification. The Core 5 221E offers 14 cores and 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus offers 18 cores and 18 threads. Base clocks are 2.70 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.20 GHz versus 5.30 GHz. Thermal design power is 65 W versus 125 W.

The Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700 with the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm Intel process with a 257 mm² die size. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses Intel Socket 1851 with the Arrow Lake Refresh codename on a 3 nm TSMC process with a 243 mm² die size and 17,800 million transistors. L1 cache is 80 KB per core versus 192 KB per core, L2 cache is 2 MB per core versus 3 MB per core, and L3 cache is 24 MB shared versus 30 MB shared.

Memory support changes from DDR4 and DDR5 to DDR5 only, with memory bandwidth rising from 89.6 GB/s to 115.2 GB/s. PCIe lanes increase from 16 to 20, both Gen 5 CPU-only. The Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics. The multiplier is locked on the Core 5 221E and unlocked on the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. Release dates are 2025-01-12 for the Core 5 221E and 2026-03-10 for the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. Launch MSRP values are $232 and $184 respectively. Both processors are Active in production status and support ECC memory.