Quick Verdict
A capable 65 W hybrid chip that reuses proven Raptor Cove and Gracemont cores on LGA1700 with DDR5/DDR4 flexibility and strong management features. It is not meant for enthusiast gaming desktops, but for embedded and edge builds that value stability, ECC, and extended availability.
Overview
Launch
2025
Status
LaunchedGeneration
Core Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake)
Market
Embedded/Edge (Desktop-class)
The Intel Core 5 221E is a 14-core (6P+8E), 20-thread embedded processor for LGA1700 with UHD Graphics 770, DDR5-5600/DDR4-3200 support, up to PCIe 5.0, and ECC, aimed at edge and industrial workloads that need long-term availability and vPro management.
The Core 5 221E is Intel’s midrange Bartlett Lake-S embedded SKU. It combines six Raptor Cove P-cores and eight Gracemont E-cores (20 threads) with 24 MB of L3 cache and a 65 W base power. P-cores boost up to 5.
2 GHz while E-cores reach 3.9 GHz. It supports dual-channel DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200 and up to 192 GB ECC memory, with 20 CPU-direct PCIe lanes (Gen 5.
0 + Gen 4.0) and UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 1.55 GHz).
Intel positions it for embedded/edge use cases, with vPro Enterprise, AMT, TME, and long lifecycle support.
Specifications
Performance
Respectable multi-thread throughput for office suites, light compiles, and mixed workloads, benefiting from 20 threads.
20 threads and VT-x/EPT/VT-d support make it capable for small VM farms and container hosts at the edge.
Adequate for casual or older titles at 1080p with modest settings, but not optimized for high-refresh gaming compared to current desktop chips.
At 65 W base with modern 10 nm silicon, it offers good performance per watt for always-on embedded systems.
- •Lack of unlocked multiplier and embedded positioning limit enthusiast tuning.
- •UHD 770 handles esports and older titles but can become a bottleneck at high settings.
- •Platform targets long-lifecycle edge use rather than gaming.
- •DLBoost (VNNI/INT8) helps but there is no dedicated NPU or GPU tile.
- •Best suited for CPU-based inference and small models at the edge.
Architecture
Intel 7 (10 nm)
Process Node
Bartlett Lake
Codename
14C / 20T
Core Config
24 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Bartlett Lake is a derivative of Raptor Lake optimized for embedded and edge segments. It reuses Raptor Cove P-cores and Gracemont E-cores on the mature Intel 7 (10 nm) process and retains the LGA1700 package to enable platform continuity and long-term availability for OEMs.
CPU Design
The 221E uses a 6P+8E hybrid layout with 24 MB of shared L3, Hyper-Threading on the P-cores, and Intel Thread Director for OS scheduling. P-cores boost up to 5.2 GHz; E-cores up to 3.9 GHz. The iGPU is UHD 770 with 32 EUs.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel controller supports up to DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200, with ECC support, and up to 192 GB capacity—useful for memory-intensive edge analytics and caching.
PCIe & I/O
The CPU provides 20 lanes: up to x16 Gen5 plus x4 Gen4, commonly wired as 1x16+4 or 2x8+4 for NVMe RAID, 10GbE, or add-in cards. DMI 4.0 x8 links to the chipset.
Overclocking
The 221E ships with a locked multiplier. Overclocking headroom is minimal and not a design target; instead, Intel emphasizes stable long-term operation and embedded use cases.
- Positions the LGA1700 platform for embedded segments with extended lifecycle support.
- Retains DDR5-5600/DDR4-3200 flexibility and ECC for edge designs.
- Adds vPro Enterprise manageability features tailored to fleet deployments.
Key Highlights
- 14 cores (6P+8E) and 20 threads provide solid multi-thread throughput for embedded workloads.
- UHD Graphics 770 enables multi-display signage and headless remote management without a dGPU.
- Supports both DDR5-5600 and DDR4-3200 with ECC, easing migration in legacy platforms.
- PCIe 5.0 x16 plus x4 Gen4 offers flexible I/O for NVMe and networking.
- vPro Enterprise with AMT, TME, and VMD strengthens remote manageability and security.
- Locked multiplier limits enthusiast tuning.
- Positioned for embedded/edge rather than consumer gaming; limited desktop BIOS support on consumer boards.
- No dedicated NPU; AI acceleration relies on CPU DLBoost only.
- Long-term future of the LGA1700 embedded ecosystem will depend on OEM BIOS support.
- Competes primarily with AMD’s embedded lineup; desktop gamers have faster alternatives.
History
Bartlett Lake extends Intel’s hybrid architecture into the embedded and edge space under the Core Processors Series 2 banner. Rather than introducing a new core, Intel re-architected Raptor Lake’s 6P+8E die for long-lifecycle deployments, adding support for ECC, UHD 770 graphics, and vPro Enterprise while keeping the LGA1700 package. The Core 5 221E, launched in Q1 2025, targets industrial PCs, digital signage, and edge nodes that benefit from DDR5 and PCIe 5.
0 readiness without changing the socket. This approach lets OEMs reuse existing board designs and stock, reducing transition cost and risk.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Positions the LGA1700 platform for embedded segments with extended lifecycle support.
- Retains DDR5-5600/DDR4-3200 flexibility and ECC for edge designs.
- Adds vPro Enterprise manageability features tailored to fleet deployments.
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
New embedded or edge PC designs on LGA1700 that require ECC, PCIe 5.0, UHD 770, and vPro, and value long-term availability over maximum gaming performance.
Avoid if…
- You want the highest gaming performance per dollar.
- You plan to overclock the CPU.
- You need a clear future desktop upgrade path beyond LGA1700.
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
Bartlett Lake reuses the Raptor Cove P-core and Gracemont E-core designs but is formally branded as Intel Core Processors Series 2 for edge/embedded use.
Despite the LGA1700 mechanical compatibility, Bartlett Lake-S SKUs are targeted at embedded boards and may lack official support on consumer Z790/B760 firmware.
Intel ARK lists the 221E’s iGPU as UHD Graphics 770, with 32 EUs and a 1.55 GHz max dynamic frequency.
The 221E’s 20 CPU lanes are configured as up to 1x16+4 or 2x8+4 (PCIe 5.0 and 4.0), matching typical Raptor Lake layouts.
Intel assigns an RCP of $232 and a Q1’25 launch date, aligning with embedded product cycles rather than consumer retail launches.
Bartlett Lake extends the LGA1700 life cycle for industrial designs by promising long-term availability and Windows 11 IoT LTSC alignment.
The 221E includes Intel GNA 3.0 for background audio/VAD-like tasks at the edge, complementing CPU-based DLBoost.
People Also Ask
Is the Intel Core 5 221E compatible with consumer LGA1700 motherboards like Z790 or B760?
Mechanically it fits LGA1700, but Intel positions Bartlett Lake-S for embedded boards. Official support on consumer boards depends on BIOS/microcode; many consumer boards do not enable it.
Does Core 5 221E support DDR5 and ECC at the same time?
Yes, Intel ARK lists support for up to DDR5-5600 MT/s and ECC memory, dual-channel, up to 192 GB.
What integrated graphics does the Core 5 221E have?
Intel UHD Graphics 770 with 32 EUs and a max dynamic frequency of 1.55 GHz, supporting up to four displays (eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4a, HDMI 2.1).
Can I overclock the Core 5 221E?
No, the 221E has a locked multiplier and is not marketed for enthusiast overclocking.
How many PCIe lanes does the Core 5 221E provide?
It provides up to 20 CPU-direct lanes: Gen5 (up to x16) and Gen4 (up to x4), configurable as 1x16+4 or 2x8+4.
Is the Core 5 221E good for gaming?
It can handle older or esports titles, especially with a discrete GPU, but it is optimized for embedded use, not high-refresh gaming.
What is the TDP and max turbo power of the Core 5 221E?
Processor Base Power is 65 W. Third-party databases list Maximum Turbo Power around 154 W with a variable tau (28–448 s), but Intel ARK documents only base power.
Does Core 5 221E support vPro and Intel AMT?
Yes, Intel ARK shows vPro Enterprise eligibility and Intel AMT support for remote management.
What process node is Bartlett Lake built on?
Bartlett Lake is built on Intel 7 (10 nm); this is listed on related Bartlett Lake ARK entries that explicitly show CPU Lithography: Intel 7.
What is the launch price of Core 5 221E?
Intel’s Recommended Customer Price is $232.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Core 5 221E’s core configuration?
6 Performance-cores (Raptor Cove) with Hyper-Threading and 8 Efficient-cores (Gracemont), for 14 cores and 20 threads.
What are the base and boost clocks?
P-core base is 2.7 GHz; P-core turbo up to 5.2 GHz. E-core base is 2.1 GHz; E-core turbo up to 3.9 GHz.
Does it support DDR4 and DDR5?
Yes. It supports up to DDR5-5600 MT/s and up to DDR4-3200 MT/s, dual-channel, with ECC.
Is the iGPU sufficient for 4K displays?
Yes, UHD 770 supports up to 4096x2160@60 over HDMI and 7680x4320@60 over DisplayPort.
What security features does it include?
Intel TXT, TME, Boot Guard, OS Guard, CET, MBEC, AES-NI, SHA, and Hardware Shield, plus vPro Enterprise and AMT.
What is the package type?
FC-LGA16A (tray), compatible with the FCLGA1700 socket.
What are the ordering and spec codes?
Ordering code CM8071505104060; spec codes SRQDV and Q659; stepping B0.
Is the Core 5 221E an embedded-only part?
Intel lists the vertical segment as Embedded, with long-life availability and embedded-use tuning, although it uses the desktop LGA1700 socket.
Does it support Intel Optane or VMD?
It supports Intel Volume Management Device (VMD) for NVMe management; Intel Optane is end-of-life and not applicable.
What OS is targeted?
Designed for Windows 11 (including IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024) and common Linux distributions used in edge deployments.