Intel Core 5 211E vs Intel Core i3-14100 Comparison

The Intel Core 5 211E and Intel Core i3-14100 are both desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, but they serve different performance tiers. The benchmark data shows a clear hierarchy, with the Core 5 211E winning 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the Core i3-14100 takes only 2 wins. The average benchmark score for the Core 5 211E is 37829, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, whereas the Core i3-14100 averages 18318, in the 72nd percentile. This substantial gap in overall scores indicates that the Core 5 211E is positioned for demanding workloads, while the Core i3-14100 fits a more modest role.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 211E dominates in nearly every multi-threaded and memory-intensive workload. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 20389 versus 12820 for the Core i3-14100, a 59% advantage. The results are consistent across all Cinebench versions, with the Core 5 211E leading by roughly 59% in both R15 and R20 multi-core tests. This pattern extends to PassMark tests that stress parallel execution: the Core 5 211E scores 88117 in integer math versus 45329, a 94.4% lead, and 66402 in floating point math versus 35266, an 88.3% lead. Data compression shows the largest single gap, with the Core 5 211E scoring 346757 against 174115, a 99.2% difference.

The Core i3-14100 wins only two tests, both in PassMark. It scores 55 in find prime numbers versus 43 for the Core 5 211E, a 21.8% advantage, and 958 in physics versus 702, a 26.7% lead. These wins are specific to workloads that may favor the Core i3-14100's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz compared to 2.70 GHz, but they do not offset the broad multi-core deficit. The data suggests the Core i3-14100 has a niche for certain single-threaded or lightly threaded integer tasks, but it cannot compete in rendering, encryption, or general parallel processing.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E has an average benchmark score of 37829, while the Intel Core i3-14100 averages 18318. The Core 5 211E also sits in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 72nd percentile for the Core i3-14100.

Q: How does the multi-core performance compare in Cinebench R23?

A: The Core 5 211E scores 20389 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Core i3-14100 scores 12820. This gives the Core 5 211E a 59% advantage in that test.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the Core i3-14100 outperforms the Core 5 211E?

A: Yes, the Core i3-14100 wins in PassMark find prime numbers (55 versus 43, a 21.8% lead) and PassMark physics (958 versus 702, a 26.7% lead). These are the only two wins for the Core i3-14100 out of 17 head-to-head tests.

Q: What is the difference in single-thread performance?

A: The Core 5 211E leads in PassMark single-thread with a score of 4006 versus 3759 for the Core i3-14100, a 6.6% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 5 211E scores 2878 versus 1809, a 59.1% lead.

Q: How do the core and thread counts differ?

A: The Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Core 5 211E also has a larger L3 cache of 20 MB shared, compared to 12 MB shared for the Core i3-14100.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel memory bus. The Core 5 211E has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the memory bandwidth for the Core i3-14100 is not listed in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the Core 5 211E comes in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 17938 versus 8838, a 103% lead. That is followed by data compression at 346757 versus 174115, a 99.2% advantage, and random string sorting at 34308 versus 17397, a 97.2% lead. Integer math shows a 94.4% gap, with scores of 88117 and 45329, while floating point math shows 66402 versus 35266, an 88.3% difference. Extended instructions also favor the Core 5 211E significantly, with 21592 versus 11865, an 82% lead.

In the Cinebench suite, the results are tightly grouped. The Core 5 211E wins R15 multicore with 2055 versus 1292, a 59.1% lead, and R15 singlecore with 289 versus 182, a 58.8% lead. R20 multicore shows 8563 versus 5384, a 59% lead, and R20 singlecore shows 1208 versus 759, a 59.2% lead. R23 multicore shows 20389 versus 12820, a 59% lead, and R23 singlecore shows 2878 versus 1809, a 59.1% lead. The consistency across all Cinebench versions suggests the performance ratio is stable regardless of the rendering workload.

PassMark multithread shows the Core 5 211E at 23833 versus 15095, a 57.9% lead, which aligns with the Cinebench multicore results. The single-thread PassMark tests show a much smaller gap, with the Core 5 211E at 4006 versus 3759, a 6.6% lead. This indicates that the Core 5 211E's advantage is primarily driven by its higher core count rather than per-core efficiency. The Core i3-14100's wins in find prime numbers (55 versus 43) and physics (958 versus 702) are outliers, but they do demonstrate that the Core i3-14100 has strengths in specific algorithms that do not scale with core count.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in core configuration. The Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 211E and 3.50 GHz for the Core i3-14100, while boost clocks are 4.90 GHz and 4.70 GHz respectively. The Core 5 211E has a TDP of 65 watts, slightly higher than the 60 watts of the Core i3-14100.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache is 2 MB per core for the Core 5 211E versus 1.25 MB per core for the Core i3-14100. The shared L3 cache is 20 MB for the Core 5 211E and 12 MB for the Core i3-14100. Memory bandwidth is listed as 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5 211E, while the Core i3-14100 has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel bus, and both use Intel Socket 1700.

The launch MSRP for the Core 5 211E is $221, and for the Core i3-14100 it is $134. Both processors have a production status of Active, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SRQERQ65F for the Core 5 211E and SRMX1 for the Core i3-14100. The Core 5 211E has a release date of 2025-01-12, while the Core i3-14100 has a release date of 2024-01-07.

Architecture Differences

The Core 5 211E is based on the Bartlett Lake codename, while the Core i3-14100 uses Raptor Lake-R. Both are built on a 10 nm process node at Intel, and both have a die size listed: 257 mm² for the Core 5 211E and 163 mm² for the Core i3-14100. The Core 5 211E is part of the Core 5 generation, while the Core i3-14100 is part of the Core 14th Gen series.

Both processors use the same integrated graphics, UHD Graphics 730, and both support ECC memory. Both also have PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 211E has a larger die size and more cores, which aligns with its higher TDP of 65 watts versus 60 watts. The architecture difference is notable: Bartlett Lake represents a newer design with more cores, while Raptor Lake-R is a refresh of an earlier architecture.

The Core 5 211E's cache layout shows 2 MB of L2 per core, which is larger than the 1.25 MB per core on the Core i3-14100. The shared L3 cache is also larger at 20 MB versus 12 MB. These cache differences likely contribute to the Core 5 211E's strong performance in data compression and encryption, which benefit from larger caches and more cores.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 5 211E is the superior processor for multi-threaded workloads. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, with leads ranging from 6.6% in single-thread PassMark to 103% in data encryption. The Cinebench results show a consistent 59% advantage across all versions, indicating that rendering and video encoding tasks will complete significantly faster on the Core 5 211E. Its 10 cores and 16 threads, combined with 20 MB of shared L3 cache, provide a substantial foundation for parallel processing.

The Intel Core i3-14100, with 4 cores and 8 threads, is better suited for users who prioritize specific single-threaded tasks. Its wins in PassMark find prime numbers and physics show that it handles certain integer and physics calculations more efficiently, likely due to its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz. However, its average benchmark score of 18318 is less than half that of the Core 5 211E, and its 72nd percentile ranking places it firmly in the mainstream tier.

For users with workloads that scale with core count, such as 3D rendering, video encoding, or data analysis, the Core 5 211E is the clear choice based on the recorded data. For users with light multi-threaded demands but a need for specific single-threaded performance, the Core i3-14100 offers a viable alternative, though its overall benchmark profile is far less impressive. The data does not support any scenario where the Core i3-14100 outperforms the Core 5 211E in general-purpose computing, as the Core 5 211E leads in every Cinebench test and in the vast majority of PassMark tests.